Immediate Obedience, Lasting Wisdom

Weekday Posts
Written By Dean Collins

By Dean Collins

I fear that we have become complacent about the things that we should do immediately. According to Solomon, when we are complacent about seeking wisdom and choose foolish ways, the result is ultimately destruction. We do have a strong example from Jesus about our defense against the foolish and destructive ways of the enemy.

In Mark 1 we learn that right after the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at his baptism, the Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by Satan. The apostle Paul gave us additional insight and guidance in Ephesians 6, where we are told to put on the full armor of God so that we could withstand whatever the enemy throws at us. We also learn that there is a battle of cosmic powers and spiritual forces going on in the heavenly places. God, through his Holy Spirit, has provided us wisdom and protection when we seek the way of the Spirit. 

I believe it is fair to say that neither God nor Satan are complacent in their pursuit of us. Though we are told often to wait on the Lord, that does not mean that God isn’t already working actively to help us. The Holy Spirit acts with immediacy to give protection, wisdom and strength to help us. But we should never underestimate how the enemy acts with immediacy to tempt us and distract us from operating in God’s wisdom and truth.

In the first chapter of Mark, we see several times evidence of immediate action by God that should inspire us to follow God’s ways with immediate action. 

  • The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. It may seem odd to consider, but this time of fasting and temptation was a part of how God was refining and preparing Jesus for his mission and ministry. We too will often find ourselves in spiritual battles when we pursue the things God calls us to do.

  • When Jesus encountered Simon and Andrew the first time, he called them to “follow me.” They immediately left their nets and boats and followed Jesus. When Jesus calls us to follow him, our response shouldn’t be complacent but rather immediate. This is true not just in the moment of our salvation but in our daily pursuit of God’s will for us in Christ.

  • We also find Jesus teaching in the synagogue in Mark 1, where he immediately encountered a man with an unclean spirit that was tormenting him. Might it be the case that when we ask God to lead us each morning, he might immediately place people in our lives who have needs? Our problem might be that we have become complacent in keeping our hearts, minds, and eyes open to seeing who God has placed in front of us.

Father, today we ask for forgiveness for the many times we have been complacent in pursuing godly wisdom and in seeing people with needs who you place in our path. Today we ask your Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears to hear from you and to see who we can serve in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Mark 1:12-13, 16-20, 22-24, 26-31, 40-42, 45; Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV

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Dean Collins

Pastor, campus minister, counselor, corporate employee, Fortune 500 consultant, college president—Dean brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives to his daily walk with God’s Word. 

In 1979 he founded Auburn Christian Fellowship, a nondenominational campus ministry that still thrives today. In 1989 he founded and became executive director for New Directions Counseling Center, a service that grew to include several locations and counselors. In 1996 he became vice president of human resources for the CheckFree Corporation (3,000 employees) till founding DC Consulting in 1999. He continues part-time service with that company, offering executive leadership coaching, organizational effectiveness advice, and help with optimizing business relationships.

His latest pursuit, president of Point University since 2006 (interim president 2006-2009), has seen the college grow in enrollment, curriculum, physical campus, and athletic offerings. He led the school’s 2012 name change and relocation from Atlanta Christian College, East Point, Georgia, to Point University in West Point, Georgia. Meanwhile, he serves as board member or active volunteer with several nonprofits addressing issues ranging from global immunization to local government and education. 

He lives in Lanett, Alabama, with his wife, Penny. He has four children (two married) and five grandchildren. He plays the guitar, likes to cook, and enjoys getting outdoors, often on a nearby golf course. 

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