Father of the Inklings

Of the many commands we have considered, which are those at the top of the list? Which are those that incorporate all the others into them? We immediately recognize Christlikeness as a recurring signature tune of the commands. Obviously, obedience is the doorway into the Christlikeness God desires to develop within us. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The question we are about to pose may at first glance seem simplistic, almost a cliche, like something from an old-fashioned salvation tract. Let us try, however, to listen to the words with fresh insight, and bring the question all the way inside. Let us see what it might have to tell us about ourselves. What are you living for? 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

There are many secondary aspects of God's will that are good, right and scriptural elements of spirituality with which we should be concerned. We do well to understand these, and to pray for God to develop them within us... But what is God's primary will for his people...What is it that God wants to do in your life, and in mine, above all other things? 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

Imbalance has always been the Achilles heel of Christianity. It might truly be said that imbalance in following the Commands of Jesus is responsible for the greater share of the unbelief in the world. Does anyone doubt that if every Command of Jesus had been sacrificially lived by his followers, not only would the world have been largely converted to Christianity, life would be a good and pleasant thing for most of its inhabitants. There is enough food, enough water, enough provision, enough happiness, enough love for all.  

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

Let us pose a probing question. The more personal layers of the onion we peel off in formulating an answer may reveal startling, even shocking, truths about ourselves. 

How much of our speech is subtly laced with the hidden desire to impress? 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The final two commands of this section are intrinsically related, yet they point in opposite directions. Speech will always build up or tear down someone. These last two commands identify the two objects of that building or tearing--others or ourselves. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The injunction against quarreling is fascinating to find among the commands, not because it comes as a surprise, but because of how completely accepted it is in the body of Christ. Is there any more commonplace relational dynamic in the church than this? 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The words the mouth speaks are one of the most accurate measures of what lies deep inside. Careless speech reveals careless character. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The first command Jesus issued specifically to his disciples is found in a simple but life-altering challenge: Follow Me.  

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

Most of us reading this command will not automatically think of ourselves in connection with such clear violations of integrity as these words indicate. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.