by: Wayne R Johnson

Mike is your new friend who happens to be a baker; you tell Mike in conversation that you love carrot cake and have the perfect recipe. Mike finds out your birthday is coming up and offers to bake your cake, so you give Mike the recipe; however, you write in large letters across the top of the paper:

“IMPORTANT! Follow the recipe as written. Don’t add or leave anything out of it.”

The recipe specifies the types of ingredients, the order in which they are mixed, and even what brands to use. You reiterate the importance of following the directions, and Mike agrees! While at the store, Mike decides that some of the specified ingredients aren’t the best, so he chooses what he believes is better. When Mike arrives home, he mixes all the ingredients according to your directions—well, almost. The directions say to mix the ingredients in a specific order, but that doesn’t fit Mike’s baking ideas, and it will take longer. Mike also decided the recipe could use one more ingredient, so he added it. Mike then invites your family over to enjoy the cake. Mike is so pleased with his efforts, grinning ear to ear, and he is confident you’ll love it.

The moment has arrived. The cake looks fantastic, and you and your family are digging in.

Hmm, the cake is not moist; in fact, it’s dry. It’s bland and not at all what you expected. You have no idea why. When suddenly you notice the cake has nuts, you immediately look at your daughter, who is gasping for air, and call 911 for help.

Sound familiar?

In this scenario, you have knowledge that Mike does not have, yet you give him a detailed recipe with precise instructions, stressing, “DON’T ADD OR TAKE AWAY FROM THIS RECIPE.”

You had specific reasons!

• 1) Were you pleased with Mike’s efforts on the cake?
• 2) Mike exercised his free will and did things his way, even though he had your instructions and agreed to do them your way. Was that the right decision?
• 3) By not following your instructions. Mike changed and added things to your recipe. His choices ruined your afternoon and could have killed your loved one. His intentions were good; does that matter?
• 4) Should Mike blame you for not giving him more information? Rather than being sorrowful and humble for not following your recipe as He agreed,

God also has specific reasons for every word written in Scripture!

• God has knowledge that we do not have and has emphasized the importance of following His Word according to His Word. (Rev. 22: 18-19)
• God knows what’s best for us. He cares! He wants us all to take advantage of the ultimate sacrifice made for all of us, all of mankind.

In God’s recipe for our salvation, God gives us examples and commandments on how to live our lives best. He tells us how to “put on Christ,” to be “in Christ,” and to be heaven-bound. Christ both shows and tells us how to show God we love Him.

Shouldn’t we strive to follow God’s recipe as He wrote it? His will not ours be done. (Luke 22:42)

Unlike Mike doing his will, doing God’s will really does give us a valid reason to grin ear to ear; it brings us absolute joy and the promise of eternal life.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15

• God’s Grace: – Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
• Hearing the Gospel:– Romans 10:17, John 8:32
• Belief/Faith: – Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19
• Repentance of sin: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
• Confess Christ: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
• Baptism by immersion for forgiveness of sin: – Matthew 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

God First!