How to Use This Map – Law Matters: The Roadmap for Life (6)

How to Use this Map

Law Matters: The Roadmap for Life (6)

We must learn to practice obedience as often as the Spirit leads.

The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. Psalm 119:57-60

Following the roadmap for life requires that we obey the Law of God each day, in every situation, from the inside out. These verses from Psalm 119 provide a concise summary of how that process works in our lives. We may briefly summarize the process whereby the Law of God, as we embed it in our souls, comes to light our path and direct our steps each day:

Devote yourself to the Lord. Begin the day in prayer and devotion, reading and studying God’s Law and giving yourself and your day to the Lord in prayer.

Dedicate yourself to obedience. Look ahead to your day and consider what specific opportunities you will have for obeying God’s Law. Envision yourself in those situations doing what love for God and neighbor require. Dedicate the time of your day to the Lord, for realizing His wisdom (Ps. 90:12).

Seek the favor and strength of the Lord. In every situation, at all times, seek the power of the Lord to make you willing and able to obey His Word. Maintain an attitude of ongoing prayer and submitting to the Spirit as He guides you along the roadmap for life.

Focus on the promises of God’s Law. Remember the promised blessings of the Lord—the blessings of life (Lev. 18:1-5) and Christ-likeness. Keep focused on these so that you are able to look on them and desire them whenever temptation arises.

Keep an eye on your daily walk. Be vigilant against all temptation and make the best use of all your time (Eph. 5:15-17). Guard against a wandering mind. Stay focused on the things that are above and the matters at hand, that you may do all things to the glory of God (Col. 3:1-3; 1 Cor. 10:31).

Repent and return whenever you stray. Do not deny the Spirit whenever He convicts you of any sin, whether of the soul or body (1 John 2:8-10). Confess and repent of every sin, every time the Spirit indicates that you have strayed from the path marked out for you in God’s Law.

Obey instantly and without delay in all matters. Become so familiar with the Law and the requirements of love that you can act on them intuitively, instinctively, and instantly in every situation. Devote yourself each day to growing in the inward possession of the Law of God.

Order your copy of  The Law of God from our online store, and begin daily reading and meditation in the commandments, statutes, and precepts of God’s Law. Subscribe to Crosfigell, the thrice-weekly devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. The Ailbe Seminary now offers online training courses to improve your walk with the Lord and ministry in His Name.

–

In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.