Category: Obedience

Certain important characteristics of God are often dismissed by mankind, but demand the respect of God’s people.  This lesson discussed those contrasts and the various attitudes men who toward them.

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Abraham is well represented in the biographies of faith mentioned here. These verses refer to the call of God given in Genesis 12:1-3. “Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you…”
His was truly an act of faith, traveling to a place he did not know in answer to God. Here is an example which we will see again and again, demonstrating that true faith leads to obedience.

Abraham’s life from that point on was one of a pilgrim in a strange land. He lived in tents with his family. Specifically mentioned were his son (Isaac) and grandson (Jacob), through which the promise would one day be fulfilled. Understand, Abraham sojourned in this land for his entire life! He, as others, lived and died without having seen the promises made to him on that day (cf. 11:39-40).

Why would Abraham do such? Because he trusted God, and was willing to endure a difficult life to obtain a much better one in eternity! He “waited for the city… whose builder and maker is God”!

In Job 1:1 we read, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” God Himself said the same of the man in His conversation with Satan, (8).

Let’s consider these virtues of the man. The Hebrew word for blameless (tâm) is literally rendered “perfect”. In this context it indicates that Job was completely pure and innocent in his morality. The word upright is similar in its positive expression. The word (yâshâr), is defined as “straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper.” These words are suggestive of an honorable man, who is morally excellent in the life he lived.

Then there is the phrase, “one who feared God.” We understand that a fear of God underlies our obedience. When we acknowledge God for Who He is – in position, power and wisdom – it leads us to humbly submit to His will. The word fear indicates a reverence that all should have for the Almighty. Job’s words at the end of the book are so telling, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you” (42:5).

Finally, Job “shunned evil.” He had nothing to do with those bad things which brought God’s displeasure. No one excelled Job in his time. May we all learn from his example!

The portraits of faith begin here with two individuals from the early years of men. Abel (Adam’s second son) offered a sacrifice by faith. (Note: Faith comes by hearing God’s word, cf Romans 10:17). Abel did what God directed, his older brother Cain did not. Abel’s reward – though “being dead” his righteous example still speaks to us.

Enoch, sixth generation from Adam “walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Hebrews 11 explains that “walked with God” indicated Enoch’s faithful obedience pleased God. This gives us a very important truth regarding how to please God.

This is indicated in verse 6. Without faith, (generated from God’s word), it in not possible to please God. Note that here faith is not at all separated from obedience. The first aspect of faith mentioned is an acknowledgement of God’s existence. The second aspect of this faith that is mentioned in verse 6 is obedience. Consider the writer’s words, “that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

We are saved by faith. That faith is an obedient faith! (cf. James 2:17).

An examination of Romans 10, where Paul establishes clearly the limitations of justification by the Old Law of Moses, as contrasted with salvation through faith in Christ. 

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When the remnant was allowed to return to the promised land following the Jew’s 70 years in Babylon, the people settled in the cities that were initially theirs before the captivity. However, we are told in the seventh month, they with one accord traveled to Jerusalem. On that occasion leaders of the people had an altar built to offer sacrifices to God. This despite the fact that the foundations for a new temple had not yet been laid. It was important for them to begin their worship of God. We are told, “Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and the evening offerings” (Ezra 3:3).

Opposition from the Gentiles in the land was fierce. This is seen clearly from details supplied concerning the rebuilding of the temple and the city walls. However, in these early days the zeal of the people was commendable and they determined to do God’s will despite their fear of reprisal.

This attitude was mimicked by the apostles in the early history of the church (Acts 4 & 5). They determined, though threatened by the Jewish leaders, to serve God without compromise in their preaching of the gospel.

Great examples for us! What about you?

An interesting aspect of Moses’ institution of the first Passover feast, as God prepared to take them from Egypt and its bondage is a statement of accommodation in Exodus 12:3. Moses related God’s command that one lamb per household be offered as a part of Passover. However, in verse 4 God instructed Moses, “And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb” (Exodus 12:4).

Two thoughts to consider here. First, God understood the privation of the people, and was willing to make accommodations to those who were too poor (their household “too small”) to offer a full lamb. By application, we know that God will accommodate any limitations we ourselves have. For example, if we are poor (just like the widow with two mites, Mark 12:41-44), God does not require what we are incapable of offering. This principle is true with our health, age, talent, and any other aspect of our service to Him. He only requires what we can offer.

Second, God accommodates our needs, but that does not give us an excuse not to strive for zeal and liberality in our service to Him. You must not try to take advantage of God!

We have recorded in the gospels various prayers of Jesus, offered up to His Father in heaven. For example, in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 we have what is called by many today, “The Lord’s Prayer.” It was in response to the request of one of His disciples who said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). The designation of “The Lord’s Prayer” is inappropriately given to this prayer. It was a model prayer designed to teach the disciples. There are other prayers much more personal to our Lord.

One example of this is the prayer that Jesus offered up in John 17. He first prayed for Himself (17:1-5), then His intimate apostles (17:6-19), then the rest who believe in Him which would include you and me (17:20-26). According to John, this prayer was offered on the same night of His most intimate prayer, recorded in Matthew 26, Mark 15 and Luke 22. It is this prayer in the garden of Gethsemane that we want to examine now. Continue reading “The Garden Prayer” →

An explanation of Paul’s letter to Titus, with a special emphasis on the motivation of the Christian to obey God, expressed in Titus 2:11-14. 

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The book of Deuteronomy is extremely interesting to read. It consists of a series of farewell addresses delivered by Moses to the second generation of Israelites as they camped on the plains of Moab, poised to cross the Jordan River and conquer the Promised Land.

There were three speeches which make up the primary content of the book. In the first speech of Moses was a historical review highlighting God’s faithfulness to Israel (1:1-4:43). The second (longest speech) was Moses’ restatement of the terms of God’s covenant with Israel (4:44-26:19). The third speech was a call by Moses for Israel to renew that covenant with God (27:1-30:20).

Moses’ second speech was an expansive, hours-long address that restated the Ten Commandments, detailed the covenant laws for life in the promised land, and concluded with a solemn series of blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion. It is estimated that a normal speaking cadence would require between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete the speech. This makes a single article fairly ineffective as an attempt to summarize the material. There is simply to much to discuss. Continue reading “A Deuteronomic Warning” →

One of the things that stands out for me in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, is the character of the one to which he is writing. He called Philemon his beloved friend. These words were not mere flattery. Rather they were true praise for a man of strong character.

We acknowledge Paul’s purpose in writing. He wanted Philemon to do as he asked. Philemon’s slave, a man called Onesimus, had run away. While on the run, he met Paul and was converted. Rather than receiving punishment, Paul not only wanted Philemon to forgive the slave, but all to relinquish him to Paul, so that he might assist Paul in his work. This was a big ask, but Paul had confidence and his carefully worded letter would be successful. He believed this because he knew Philemon well. Continue reading “An Example of Christian Character” →

We just celebrated our 250th birthday as a nation on July 4th. If you are like many, it was probably a enjoyable day of family, patriotism and fireworks. It is also an opportunity for reflection for the child of God. Consider what crossed my mind on that day.

I am amazed at the size of the celebrations. They went all out in Washington D.C. with a speech from the President, the honoring of centenarian veterans of World War II, and what was billed as the biggest fireworks display ever in the history of the world! (President Trump likes big things).

Debbie and I went with six of our grandkids (and their parents) to a bridge near downtown Fort Worth to watch our city’s fireworks display. There were hundreds of people on that bridge watching with us. I wondered what it would be like if I had the opportunity to talk to so many non-Christians at one time about our Lord. Continue reading “Observations About the Fourth” →

The period of the judges, revealed in the book by the same name was by and large a time of darkness in Israel. The land was only partially subjugated by the Jews, and there were uprisings and battles throughout the period. One of the primary purposes of any judge was to deliver Israel during times of conflict. A verse in chapter 17 indicates how ignorance and anarchy was often present, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6).

This verse occurs in the specific context of a man named Micah, who was practicing idolatry. “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest” (5).

This shows that at that time, the laws of Israel were not being kept. No king was there to enforce the law. Further, as the law was the law of God, men were only doing their will, not God’s.

The same is often true today. Especially regarding obedience to God. Rather than following His will exclusively, too many are doing “what is right in [their] own eyes.”  This is not, nor ever has been acceptable. God has revealed His complete will for us, (James 1:25). That will is to submitted to and followed by every man. No exceptions!