A Box of Chocolates

As the great philosopher Forrest Gump once said, "Life is like a box of chocolates". I think he meant that you never know what you are going to get. But the other thing about a box of chocolates is there are always going to be some that you like and others (the ones with the squishy stuff in the middle) that you don't like. So you eat the ones you like and leave the ones you don't like alone.

There have been times in my life where I've looked at Christianity the same way. I've read the commandments of Jesus and then treated them like a box of chocolates. I obeyed the easier ones, the ones I liked, the ones I agreed with. But there were always those that I didn't like. You know the ones I'm talking about. The commands that make us a little uncomfortable. The ones that just seem too hard to obey.

"When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Jesus Christ

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. - Jesus Christ

"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." - Apostle Paul

"If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to that person; then come and offer your gift."- Jesus Christ

Those commands I left alone. I didn't choose to disobey them, but at the same time I did not strive to obey them either. But I don't want to do that anymore. The commandments of Christ are not a box of chocolates or a buffet lunch. I don't have the option of choosing which ones to obey. I'm required to do my best to obey all of them.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote the blog "Run to Win". I don't want to run this race anymore just being content with finishing. I want to win - to obtain the prize. In order to do that I've got to change some things. One of those things I need to change is my obedience to His commands. It won't be easy, but anything worthwhile never is.

"If you love me, keep my commands." - Jesus Christ

"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Those who say, 'I know him,' but do not do what he commands are liars, and the truth is not in them. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." - Apostle John