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Profound Obedience Phm 1:21(KJV) “Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.” Obedience is the most profound topic of the Bible. For wherever we strive for obedience, there is grace to enable us through. And as we press on, faith, the gift of God is poured into us so that we can work the works of Him who sends us. In other words, a truly obedient life will always reflect grace and faith, thereby producing salvation. Obedience is more than carrying out the demands of what God’s Word says. It is the manifested response of our entire being to the one we love. Most all basic Christian attitudes – faith, submission, the fear of God and the love of God – are manifested through obedience. When disobedience is operating, it is evidence that at least one of the attitudes is missing. Obedience is the work of faith. If we believe God, we obey. If we do not obey, it is because we really don’t believe Him. We may say we believe, but our actions say something else. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he, and so he acts! Whatever we are doing, it is because of what we believe. The N.T. warns to turn away from sin. If we consistently sin, we are unbelieving. We don’t believe that the wages of sin is death and that what we sow we will reap. The person who continues to live with unwholesome thoughts and attitudes will one day pay the price of what he dwelt upon. But the brother who diligently brings his problems, concerns, thoughts under the authority of Christ will be seen of the Father who will reward him openly. The brother who refuses to separate himself from ungodly activity is revealing his true belief system which says, “I will not be corrupted.” If we abide in the Vine and His Word abides in us, we will be blessed and bear fruit because God says, “I am a rewarder of those who diligently seek Me.” (Heb.11:6) Those who do not abide in the Vine and have no personal devotion with God will be judged accordingly and forfeit their rewards and blessings. All of these results are based on faith, belief, obedience and action and attitude of thought. OBEDIENCE demonstrates true submission to the Lordship of Christ. It is easy to say, “Jesus is Lord.” But those who do not submit their lives to the authority of His Word and Spirit have no intention of making Him Lord. (Luk.6:46; Mat.7:22; Mat.25:11; Mat.7:21) Despite what many believe, God is looking for doers of the Word. Obedience to Christ reveals the truly submissive heart: John 8:31 (KJV) “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” We have not merely said, “Jesus is Lord.” We have made Him Lord. To obey the Lord is evidence that we fear Him. For wherever the fear of the Lord is, there is obedience. The fear of the Lord brings a sense of peace and security: Proverbs 14:26 (KJV) “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” This is an attitude of the heart that deeply respects God and His promises. It is the fear that puts the faith into action. The fear of the Lord believes in the midst of the impossible, knowing that God is just and true, He cannot lie and He is always fair. It also says that God is no respecter of persons, for what He has done for others He will do for those who continue in obedience to Him no matter what. Hebrews 11:7 (KJV) “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness, which is by faith.” When God spoke about a flood and an ark, Noah, not knowing what it was, OBEYED – for 100 years. In Genesis 22 Abraham faithfully went forward for three days with the thoughts of killing his son. His prompt, unwavering obedience revealed the fear of the Lord, and God delivered him. TRUE FEAR OF THE LORD REQUIRES PROMPT OBEDIENCE! Our obedience is our proof that we love God. We are talking about “Agape” = obedience is always equated with love. Wherever there is love there is obedience. Jesus obeyed His Father because He loved Him. So strong was this desire that He said: (John 8:28) “For I do always those things that please him.” To Jesus, obedience was not a matter of duty: it was an opportunity to express His love for His Father. Three times Jesus says, Those who love God, obey Him. (Jn.14:15, 21, 23) “If we obey His Word, we love Him; if we don’t we don’t love Him.” The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit the moment we receive Him (Rom.5:5). The evidence that this has taken place is that we begin to seek Him, serve Him, worship Him, and OBEY Him – most important is OBEDIENCE. Without the obedience the love becomes hypocrisy. God accepts no devotion, service or worship apart from obedience. OBEDIENCE is never a burden – it is the most liberating experience of life. The disciple who obeys the Lord grows freer and freer, maturing, discerning and being fruitful moment by moment. Every act of obedience liberates from the spirit of rebellion. It strengthens faith, sharpens spiritual discernment and increases the capacity for more of God. Whenever we are obedient to a command or the Spirit’s prompting, the pharisaical attitude of self-deception disappears; and in its place, clarity of thinking and righteous attitude rule. On the other hand, when disobedience drops into our heart, we become like Cain, manipulative in offering a lesser sacrifice, or like Saul, demanding things be done his way instead of waiting on the Lord. Unfortunately, the people who offer up what they think God wants, instead of what He says He requires drift into a lukewarm state. While continuing to serve God in an effort to silence their inner conviction, they eventually become hardhearted. But the prophet says, “To obey is better that sacrifice.” We cannot be a disciple of Christ on our own terms. There is no substitute for obedience. In God’s infinite wisdom, He has wrapped up everything in the action of “obedience.” This should bring relief to those who are works-oriented. We don’t have to think up 1001 things to please God, we only have to keep the Word and obey the Spirit. THE GREATEST TESTIMONY OF YOUR LIFE WILL BE: “I did all that the Lord commanded.” -Pr. Steve December Newsletter 2004 | Profound Obedience | The Fruit part 3 of 3 Pastor's Journal December 2003 | True Treasure | Prophetic Word part 3 of 3
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Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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