Category: Obedience

The New Testament identifies several individuals who were lost in their sins despite their devotion to God. The four mentioned in this lesson: Saul, Cornelius, the rich young ruler, and the Pharisees. None can be saved until obeying the commands of God!

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The term “legalist” is commonly used by religious people today. It is not a biblical term, so we have to define it either by Webster, or by common usage.

The term is defined as follows by Webster: “an advocate or adherent of moral legalism.” So, to know what a legalist is, we need the definition of legalism. Again, Webster supplies: “strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code.”

Still, to get a full understanding of what a legalist is, perhaps we can gain insight by examining any antonyms (words that mean the opposite). Interestingly, a search of antonyms at the website: synonyms.net supplied only one word as an antonym to legalist. It is “antinomian”. Webster defines the term: “one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.”

It is peculiar that people are given to such extremes. How is it that an acknowledgement of salvation by grace through faith necessitates (in the mind of so many today) a belief that obedience to God’s will is not required?

I believe the following inspired word from Hebrews 5:8-9, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

I also believe what Paul said by inspiration of the Spirit about Christ’s second coming. That He would come, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ“ (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Does that make me a legalist? If so, I confess I am, as I cast my lot with the Holy Spirit!

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In Matthew 24:46, Jesus describes the faithful servant. “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” The faithful servant is one who is obedient all the while he waits for his master’s return.

Regarding our Lord’s coming, some think the thing to do is look for omens and signs. This is a mistake. Concerning that day, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (24:36). The Lord’s coming will be as a “thief in the night.”

Instead, the faithful servant of God will prepare for that coming by being ever vigilant. Consider, if we are always obedient to our Lord, it matters not when He comes. We will be ready!

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).

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We are saved by God’s grace. The term “grace” is properly understood as an undeserved gift. In other words, if any of us obtain salvation, it will not be because we earned it, but because God chose to extend to us that wonderful gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Accepting that, we ask the following two questions:

1. Does God choose to save everyone? The Biblical answer is no. Some will be saved, and some will be lost. In the day of judgment, some will go to hell, and be separated from God for eternity! (cf. Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8; among many others).
2. Who does God choose to save? Is His choice arbitrary? Is it made regardless of the behavior of man? The Biblical answer is again, no! Consider Hebrews 5:9, concerning the sacrifice of the Lord, “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

We can’t earn our salvation. But, the Bible clearly says that God chooses to extend the undeserved gift of grace only to the obedient.

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Here’s a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry … be happy.
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry … be happy.

Bobby McFerrin

The song has a catchy tune, and with certain caveats, properly expresses the attitude that Christians should exhibit toward their lives here on earth. Notice the following passages:

Continue reading “Don’t Worry … Be Happy!” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Ephesians 5:15-17, the apostle Paul calls for a careful, circumspect walk. We must walk in accord His will, redeeming the time!

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Numbers 13 & 14 reveal the faithfulness of Caleb. He followed the Lord his whole life, with his whole heart, despite the opposition and danger that accompanied his service. He serves as a wonderful example to us.

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Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

The Bible teaches that man has a certain amount of responsibility for his own standing before God. Faith working together with obedience is the message of scripture.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul warns that we will reap what we sow, and gives the exhortation to do good, to reap God’s approval.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 1 John 5:1-2, the apostle reveals that obedience to the commands of God are necessary for us to properly express our love both for God, and for man.

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Every faithful Christian has that which he can and should do for God, as a member of a local congregation. To be useful for the Lord, certain attitudes must be present. Things such as eagerness, diligence, positivity and persistence.

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The sermon is an exegetical treatment of Galatians 5 & 6, noting that the liberty we obtain in Christ is liberty from sin, not responsibility.

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Everyone is aware of the burgeoning crisis that is playing out on the southern borders of the United States. A rapid and large number of illegal immigrant children are entering the U.S. every day.

This large number of Central and South American children (many of them unaccompanied by adults) is overwhelming the resources of border authorities, leading to health concerns both for the children and the communities where they are housed, and fueling a great political debate regarding how to manage the situation.

Continue reading “In the News: Compassion and the Rule of Law” →

We all must make choices in our lives. Ultimately, our eternal destiny depends upon taking the narrow and difficult path that leads to life. The lesson discusses several questions all must ask themselves at one time or another, including:

• Will you obey the gospel?
• Will you live above sin?
• Will you pay the price of discipleship?
• Will you remember God while you are young?
• Will you endure to the end?

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Seek the Lord! That is the cry of faith. It is the need for every man and woman who lives upon the earth. This sobering sentiment is expressed clearly by the prophet Isaiah in his instructions to Judah.

Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:6-9).

The most sobering aspect of these words is the realization that our success in seeking the Lord is contingent upon our knowing His thoughts. We can’t find Him is we don’t know where He is. We can’t know where He is unless He tells us. The most amazing thing is that He has, and yet people persist in following their own directions rather than His.

Consider the contrast of the text. In the same way that “the heavens are higher than the earth” so are God’s ways than our own. In other words, it is impossible for us to please God by our own devices. If you want to please God, you must seek Him. If in seeking you find Him, it will be because you followed His directions!