Romans 4:15 NLT “For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)“
Many people think when they try to do right, they still end up getting disciplined and in trouble. Then they conclude, “What is the use of trying? If what I do does not get accepted or I am treated unfairly, what is the use of obeying?”
I want you to meditate on the above verse.
How can trying to do the right thing be rejected? You need to think deeply on this matter. Are you doing what is right in faith which means led by God and for Him or are you trying to dot all the “i’s” and cross all the “t’s” to make yourself look good?
What is your motive because like Cain, what you think is good and obedience may actually be disobedience. The reasons why you do things may not be for God but for yourself.
Example:
Pastor: “Why are you not praying?”
Person not praying: “I am praying.” (Why doesn’t Pastor accept my effort and time? – the inconsistency shows the person under the law)
Pastor: “Why do I need to keep telling you to pray?”
Person under the law: “I am praying because you asked me to pray. I pray to keep you off my back!” (Why does Pastor keep coming at me? If he doesn’t recognize my prayer, what is the use of praying?)
Pastor: If I have to tell and remind you to pray, then you are only obeying the law, and therefore, it is still unacceptable.
If you pray on your own without the need of me interfering because you pray because you Love God and love Him for what HE has done for you, then you are praying in faith and no reminder will come.
Faith will define you a person who prays and reads and there is no law to be broken because no rule needs to be made to force someone to pray or read.
Pastor Steve Kim