Burky's Blog

One Sunday morning, we were studying about Abraham's faith.  One question was "How might we by partial obedience compromise our profession of faith?  I especially like one answer, "Partial obedience makes one confused."

            The reason I love that statement is because it is very true in all points.  How do I know that it is true in all points?  Simple.  Just think that it is true in one way and then see if it is true in the opposite way.  If part obedience or half-hearted obedience makes one confused, then what about if one is confused or uncertain about what is good and right is really obeying partially?  I think so.

            After all, didn't the Bible say "The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble."? (Proverbs 4:19)  Plus, Jesus confirms this, "these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

            I learn from experience that surrender as referred by the Bible is really letting go everything that was part of you.  Apostle Paul wrote, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," (Philippians 3:8)  All things, even what was taught to you.  Even the teachings of the church where you grew up.  All things, period.

            I always find it puzzling that preachers preach about submission, surrender, repentance, nonresistance or humility, but seldom, if ever, preach about boldness in the same message.  What about the seldom-mentioned verse, "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."? (1 John 2:27)

            And guess what?  As I hold Bible studies with such people, I notice one thing common about them.  They become so detailed about their doctrines, quite forgetting that the gospel of Christ is very simple.  (There is some teaching in the Bible that confirms this fact, although I can't find the reference at this time of writing)  They would say that the teaching of separation applies to all areas of life, but not prayer without ceasing to apply that church is to have all-night prayer meetings.  Interestingly, they all admit the difficulty of living Christian life.  May I ask you: if you experienced years of frustration in trying to live a victorious Christian living and then suddenly realize the real meaning of Christianity that helps and established you to be victorious, would you want to go back?  I certainly do not.

            Some people seem to feel that preaching is serving God, but they forget that God is everywhere and that Jesus talks about a cup of cold water will reap its reward.  If God create the world, why can't we take into account that there are reasons for our emotions?  I like one man say that our guilty conscience is a blessing, because it causes us want to return into the peaceful bosom of our loving Father.  Did he take into account about the inner peace and joy in the everyday life?

            More and more scientists marveled at the fine-tuning of the universe.  Everything is just right.  So where was the problem?  Obviously, it is human who have power of choice and can choose against the laws of the Universe.  The fundamental laws of the Bible really are all about restoring to the laws of the Universe.  It is all about getting back into the tune and harmony with everything around us. 

Hence, the precious teaching of nonresistance.  Because we choose to stop resisting, we cease to have problems.  Because we choose to focus on the now, rather than pine about the past, we become synchronized with the eternal and timeless Father.  Because we choose to act upon the laws of love, we reap love.  I could go on, but sufficient is it to say that the fundamental laws in the Bible are same as the law of Universe.  If everyone, regardless of religion, would practice all the fundamental laws in the Bible, this world would exactly be a foretaste of heaven.  And there will be no darkness, confusion, and uncertainty.  The Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," will be answered.