“No thank you. Perhaps some other time. Nah, not doin’ it! No – I don’t think so. Ask me next week.” Those are some ways people refuse something. But, what does it look like to “refuse to refuse.” Remarkably, this little phrase has been behind many world-changing events. It’s made heroes out of ordinary people. That means you and I can be heroes-of-a-kind. Interestingly, refusing to refuse provides constructive action that makes significant differences in your life. Often, it’s your best choice!
So, let’s look at “refuse to refuse.”
Refuse
To refuse something means things like:
- To not say, think, or do something.
- Decline to accept an offer.
- In some cases, to not budge on an issue.
- Determination to not “give-in” to unhealthy habits or patterns.
- To not cooperate in some endeavor.
“Refuse” can be positive and healthy. However, it can also be negative and unhealthy, depending on how you use your power to refuse.
Refuse To Refuse
It’s sounds odd to say. Nevertheless, there are times you should “refuse to refuse” – –
- An offer of something helpful, good, or constructive.
- A gift of food, clothing, medicine, perhaps even money you didn’t expect. You may really need this gift. Conversely, you may not need it, but it may be rude to say “no” to the giver.
- Something better – a plan, pattern, diet, friendship, job – not letting anything get in the way of good that’s tucked into a new opportunity. In other words, resist any barrier or temptation that would interfere.
- A deep, intimate, and personal relationship with God. Listen willingly to His directives. Eagerly spend time with Him each day. Further, sidestep temptation to push back whatever God wants to do in your life.
Refuse To Refuse God
When you connect with God with this resolve, the doors of His blessing and goodness open. It’s a special relational response to Him. Additionally, it’s just not wise to say “no” to God. Especially considering He wants you to be effective in healthy (godly) living. Plus, He wants to shower you with His love.
So, train how to refuse to refuse God. This is our main focus today.
An Incredible, True Story
The enemy continually leverages scenarios against you as he rebels against God. Essentially, he wants to prove God is wrong about you – in the same way he attempted to with Job.
Scenario: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.” (Job 1:6) Sneaky! How did the enemy think he could just walk into God’s presence with God’s holy angels?
God: “Where have you come from?” (vs.7) Maybe today it would sound more like – “Who let YOU in here?!”
Satan: “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” I’ll bet! To see how much sorrow and trouble you can cause!
God: “Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (vs. 8) God just had to verbalize deserved “bragging points” about His man, Job. This guy was “blameless and upright . . . feared God . . . shunned evil . . . the greatest man in those days.” (Job 1:1&3)
Satan: “Have You not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so his flocks and herds spread throughout the land. But now stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”
This interaction proves it’s all about God’s enemy vs God. Shamefully, the enemy has the audacity to directly spar with God. The confrontation of evil against good! Unfortunately, Job is in the middle.
It’s Not Over
God: “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” (vs. 12) God always has the upper hand. Equally, He has full authority to grant, deny, or rescind anything. Still, the enemy has the audacity to try and prove God wrong.
Conclusion Of Conversation: “Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” Falsely, he probably thinks – “Game on!!”
Gain For You
Remarkably, God knows ahead this will be a loss for the enemy and a win for Job (and Himself). Even more incredible, He allows Job to be the hero, proving God is exactly who He claims. Even in Job’s weakness, having more questions than answers, God shows Job’s pure heart. Job refuses to refuse God.
Nevertheless, he suffers terribly in the conflict between God and the enemy. It’s war! However, even with broken heart and body, Job maintains faith in God. Actually, He’s so sure of God’s goodness, he says something crazy! “Even if He slays me, I will hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face.” (Job 13:15)
He also says, “To God belong wisdom and power. Counsel and understanding are His.” (Job 12:13) Incredibly, he doesn’t understand anything that’s going on. Yet, he proves “you don’t need to understand to be a person of enduring faith in God.”
Remarkably, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22)
You know the end of the story. Frankly, it gets even worse for Job! In fact, his wife finally says, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Yet, Job refuses to refuse – “whatever God is doing!”
In the end, Job gains more than he started with. Plus, a godly reputation.
Jesus Helps You Refuse To Refuse
Jesus does this because He loves you. Subsequently, let’s explore things He’s already done to empower you.
Debt Paid
Jesus paid the debt against your life. The shedding of His blood, the gifting of His life – it’s all done. And His work puts you in a good place. Accounts settled, debts paid, sins forgiven. You are free. You have hope.
Once the debt has been paid, the penalty carried out, and the record set straight, many other good things can start to happen. Regardless, this may be terribly confusing and painful while you’re in the middle of suffering. Yet, just think and be amazed: how much more is God able to accomplish through your situations? Just like He did for Job.
He Invites You
Jesus invites you to be part of the action. The only thing that might limit God’s work in you and others through your life, is if you refuse! Rather, why not –
- Accept His amazing friendship.
- Grab onto His help.
- Believe His love for you.
- Know He will keep His promises.
- Be confident He has no limits and will redeem your losses.
You were intended to partner with God in every detail, loss, suffering, and experience of your daily life. This partnership transforms you. Jesus invites you to engage His help to –
- Change all your default responses to match Christ’s.
- Re-work life patterns that need it.
- Establish habits of godliness to replace unhealthy patterns.
Then as you advance in your discipleship with Christ by faith and regularly practice His ways, He invites you to –
Spread His hope to others.
God Changes Lives
God changes lives through Jesus’ life and cross – for those who refuse to refuse Him. He is Father, Trainer, and dearest Companion. Plus, He proves the enemy wrong about you! This is an amazing honor!
The living God offers His resources as a Father, Coach, and Companion through Jesus. Will you accept? Or will you refuse?
Why not “refuse to refuse?!” Actually, it’s a strong way of accepting.
What To Do
What happens next can be breath-taking. Even, life-changing. It’s rather simple. Nevertheless, it takes resolve. Your next move is to –
- Decide Jesus is Lord in your life.
- Let Him guide you.
- Accept His agenda over yours.
- Listen to His quiet voice.
- Practice His teachings. They affect how you to think, speak, and act.
- Surrender! And Jesus Christ will transform you.
- Rest in His grace.
- Enjoy His presence. He’s such a faithful Friend!
There is so much under your control! All those action words – you can do.
Equally, recognize God’s Lordship. It’s an honor to serve a King who has your best in mind – and is filled with grace, kindness, and truth.
Application Thoughts And Questions
- Do you want to partner with God?
- Will you yield and train?
- When is the last time you enjoyed God’s friendship?
- What perspective needs to change in you – to agree with God?
- Do you regularly refuse to refuse God?
- How will you practice care for others who need help and hope?
- Why not respond to God like Job did? Maintain your integrity and faith, even in suffering and loss. In other words, let God prove the enemy wrong about you! And about Him!
* Portions of this content came from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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