Category: Obedience

After giving specific admonitions first to wives then husbands in 1 Peter 3, Peter continues with more general admonitions which apply to us all: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).

These admonitions are summed up on the call of all Christians to love one another. In this both Peter and John are in agreement, “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:10-11). Continue reading “Inheriting a Blessing” →

Having established a remaining rest (indicating eternity in the presence of God), here the Hebrew writer encourages his readers to act in a way that secures that rest.

Notice the way (diligence) is regarding obedience to God’s commands. Put negatively, the Israelites failed to enter Canaan because of their disobedience (cf. 11).
Here is stated a preeminent principle in scripture. Our salvation is tied inextricably to our obedience to God’s revealed will. This does not mean we earn our salvation, only that the gift of redemption is reserved by Him for those who obey Him. God’s word is the key. He has revealed His will for us.

God’s word is powerful, sharp, piercing. As the Hebrew writer states, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (13).

Carefully consider the part that the Bible has as God judges us to be worthy or not. He has told us what to do. We will be judged by whether we are willing to do it. Nothing could be more plainly revealed!

A discussion of the book of Zephaniah reveals much about the behavior that disappoints God, and the judgment He visits upon those unwilling to submit to Him.

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The Hebrew writer ends this chapter with a “cause and effect” argument using his reference to the rebellion of the Jews as as they left the land of Egypt. He calls it again a rebellion (cf. 15), and asks, “who, having heard rebelled?” (16). It was in fact the entire generation that was guilty of rebellion, despite God’s assurance of protection and victory.

That was the cause, “having heard” they “rebelled.” The effect followed. They angered God and it led to the refusal of God to grant to that generation the rest of Canaan. An entire generation was sentenced to a fruitless wandering until all died in the wilderness. God swore punishment to those who did not obey Him. But, when the explanation is given, verse 19 states, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

True biblical faith is described in scripture as faith that leads to obedience. “By faith Abraham obeyed…” (11:8). If someone professed faith in God or His Son, but is not willing to obey, it is not the faith that God prescribes. It is empty and its impact is God’s judgment!

An examination of 3 passages where the phrase “stand still” is used, indicating the importance of contemplating God’s plan for redeeming man, His preeminence, and our obligations to ensure our standing with Him.

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A discussion of Psalm 15.  Who is it that may dwell in the Presence of the Almighty?

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Philippians 2 reveals Jesus as our exalted example. He determined to do His Father’s will even to the point of death. This is the basis for these words, to obey Him.  Paul’s words, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (12).

Points to be made from this text:  Our obedience is to be continuous whether before others or not. Our obedience is necessary to be saved. We consider who God is both in person and position, and we respond with respect and awe. Our purpose in existing as Christians is to do His will, not our own (cf. Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 2:20. Our obedience to God can not be grudging and please Him.  We must obey Him because we love Him, not merely out of self preservation. The world is evil and corrupt, our life should be different as we show rather than just tell of holiness and sanctification.

Such steadfastness in obedience is for our own good.  It proves that our profession of faith is not in vain!

Paul’s great teaching on man’s redemption is encapsulated in these few verses. They are plain, though often misunderstood by the biases and twisted theologies of men.  What is affirmed?:

We have been saved by the grace of God. This is God’s love expressed by a freely given gift of salvation. The sin of man brought death upon him, and only God’s mercy can lift that burden.  His justice demanded a sacrifice and God supplied His Son.  This is a fact to which we all give assent.

Salvation is not universal.  It is granted only to those who exhibit faith in Jesus. He is the sole Messiah.  He is God’s chosen, we must not look to another.

With these two truths in hand, we know that we can’t earn our salvation. No one can boast about his standing with God because it comes despite, not because of what we have done.

God has created us to obey.  To do His good works, works that God has determined beforehand we “should walk in them” (10).

You are familiar with Jesus’ words to the Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…” (John 8:31-32). These words create what amounts to a litmus test to establish discipleship.

Let’s define a couple of terms. The first is litmus test. It is “a test for acidity or alkalinity using litmus.” Litmus is a dye that is added to paper, that when touched by acidic liquid turns red, and when touched by alkaline liquid turns blue. It is completely reliable and definitive. As such, the phrase “litmus test” has come to mean a test that decisively indicates a particular nature. Continue reading “The Litmus Test of Discipleship” →

A sermon detailing the text of 2 Chronicles 10-12, examining the up and down nature of the reign of King Rehoboam. Applications are made with regard to the need for steadfastness and obedience.

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The prophetic book titled “Jonah” begins with a command of God to the prophet. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” We are familiar with Jonah’s response.  Instead of obeying the voice of God, “Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (2:3).

Tarshish was the opposite direction from Nineveh.  But there is nothing in scripture that indicates that God is not to be found there. It is doubtful that Jonah, a prophet of God, really thought that he could flee to a place where God could not reach him. In Psalm 139, David wrote:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.”

                                                                         (7-10)     Continue reading ““From the Presence of the Lord”” →

We are to mimic our Lord in faithfulness. Christ was faithful to His Father, and the Holy Spirit calls for us to be faithful. Israel is given as an example here, but an example to avoid rather than follow. They rebelled against God, and it cost an entire generation their inheritance in the land of promise. God said, “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest” (11, cf. Psalm 95:11).

The rebellion of the Jews is well described, “They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways” (10). This is a problem in every generation. Men determine to do their own will, often because they do not even know God’s, but often because they ignore God because they prefer their own way.

We must not be guilty of the same. We must not depart from God, which He categorizes as an “evil heart of unbelief” (12). Instead, our call to be Christians is a call to faithfulness. We are to “hold our steadfastness to the end” (14). This is the Holy Spirit’s description of partaking of Christ!

The Hebrew writer, in the first part of chapter 9, describes the implements of sacrifice and worship under the old covenant. He included in his description things like the tabernacle itself, as well as lampstand, the table, the showbread the ark of the covenant and its contents. He called them “ordinances of divine service” (1).

The point of his book is to describe the difference between the old and new, showing  the superiority of Jesus and His new covenant of grace for men.  That is why this chapter begins with the phrase, “Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service.”

Consider the intent of the writing.  If even the old covenant had these things, and they were holy, designating worship and service to God.  How much more important are the “ordinances of divine service” under the New Covenant!  What are those ordinances? Consider the singing of psalms. The praying of prayers. The observance of Jesus’ sacrifice on each first day of the week when we serve His supper. Our free will offerings each Lord’s day. Consider also calls to evangelize, edify and help the poor. To care for Christian widows and the indigent.  Finally consider the calls to love, to obey, to “Be holy, for I [God] am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

     We dare not neglect ordinances of divine service under the new covenant! (cf. 2:3).

A favorite turn of phrase by John in his first epistle is “by this”, the NKJ version’s interpretation of the Greek preposition “en”. For example:

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). The Greek word is translated “hereby”, “in this”, “this is how” in other translations. The Christian Standard Bible makes the meaning plain, though the construction is awkward, “This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments.”  The amplified Bible (more of a commentary) explains it well. “And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). So, the idea is that the Greek preposition “en” is the means by which something is accomplished (in this case knowing). If we keep God’s commandments, we can know that we have a personal relationship with God. Continue reading “By This…” →

So many seek self-validation, or the validation of others.  More problematic is the fact that society in general requires the same. It seems the wisdom of the day is that if you don’t brag about yourself, then you have little chance to be accepted.  Think of the constant self-promotion of politicians as an example.

Paul here objected to that.  While some may need it to bolster themselves, Paul’s validation came from the Corinthians themselves.  They knew of Paul’s legitimate ministry in Christ because they themselves benefitted from it.  His words, “clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us” (3).

The contrast is wonderful, where others need the written word, to get a “letter of commendation” to be accepted, Paul depended upon the epistle of Christ, written on the heart of those he ministered to, the Corinthians themselves!

Some might have been grudging in their acceptance. That was their problem, not the problem of Paul. His work spoke for itself!