"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19
The principle of godly obedience often confuses Christians. While God's Word tells us it is impossible to be obedient enough to deserve His grace (Romans 3:10, Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3), it also says obedience is important. (1 Peter 1:22)
As with every other aspect of human behavior and conduct, obedience comes in two varieties - godly and ungodly. Godly obedience is conducted with a sincere heart for God's sovereignty and a genuine concern for pleasing Him. Ungodly obedience is born of our desire to obey God on our own terms, or in our own capability. While obedience to God in any form is better than disobedience, He always prefers that our obedience to Him is performed with a humble and contrite heart, and we should know that God is always aware of the heart with which we serve Him. (Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 13:14)
Our Christian walk begins to glorify God when, in heart-felt obedience to Him, we become disciplined to obey the law (2 Corinthians 10:5). To the world, "obedience", while at times useful and necessary, is nearly always perceived as negative. To Christians intent upon pleasing God, godly obedience is a delight.
I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8
Onward Christian soldiers!
Bob Benson
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from My Utmost For His Highest. . .
December 1
The Law and the Gospel
Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral. The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same. The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity. If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" ( Romans 7:9 ).
The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless—". . . sold under sin" ( Romans 7:14 ). I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God—it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!
We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone. Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
Amen!
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
