Stipulations

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

When the Lord asked who should He send, Isaiah responded immediately, “Here I am I; send me.” Who knows how many sermons have used this passage of Scripture to spur believers to go into the mission field, or some sort of ministry. How easy it is to romanticize the call, and quickly answer “Here am I; send me.” How many heard such messages, felt their hearts stir, raised their hands and went forward to the altar; but by the time they got home, they forgot all about it? Why?

Some might say they felt manipulated, and came to their senses before it was too late. They weren’t actually called to go; it was an emotional response. Fair enough, but what about those who had legitimate callings? If the Lord did indeed ask you to go, would you? If you said yes, how far would you go? Incidentally, this does not necessarily refer to physical distance; although, it could. To those who have obeyed, are you still open should He ask you to do something different?

Would you obey, even if it would be extremely uncomfortable, or something you never envisioned yourself ever doing? If it is something you absolutely do not want to do, would you do it anyway?  Do you have stipulations? How one answers these questions may indicate what level a person is Spirit-led, and what level one is flesh-driven. If you have conditions, why?

The Problem With Stipulations

Too many want to be in be driver’s seat. They want God to be their co-pilot; not the actual Pilot. They don’t want to give up the control, which means they have not completely surrendered. A downside is it limits God in their life. They are missing out on so many good things He has for them. They are the losing the impact on those whom the Lord desires them to reach. They may not hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Furthermore, it hampers the relationship with the Lord, which in turn affects relationships with others. The best versions of their selves are surrendered to Him. Without surrendering to Him, they will never reach their full potential, no matter how many self-help books they read, podcasts to which they listen, or seminars they attend. Unless they repent, they will not experience fullness of joy.

John 15:10-12 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Conditions limit love, and when love is limited, people suffer. As long as a person is consumed with himself and his own well-being, obedience will be nearly impossible for him. He will be “obedient” in the things he wants to do. Their version of obedience may cost them dearly.

Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.   

Overcoming Stipulations

Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.

Deny the self says, “I love God more than myself and my reputation. It does things on His terms, and knows He is sovereign. It will not determine what is good or bad; rather, it allows God to make that determination. In short, denying ourselves means we do not demand having our way. It surrenders the self to be crucified with Christ.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

To follow Jesus means laying aside our own agendas, biases and demands. It means loving Him and people well. It is a life of surrender and obedience. To obey means to believe with the intent to conform to the desires of God. We do this through faith, and faith works by love.

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