2/4/2009 - Confirmation of Obedience

Quiet Time 2-4-09:       Confirmation of Obedience

References:       John 14:21 (NLT)  Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. 

Romans 1:5 (NLT)  Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell the Gentiles everywhere what God has for them, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to his name. 

Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)  Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ’Listen, O Israel!  The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’  The second is equally important:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  No other commandment is greater than these. 

Mark 16:15-16 (NLT)  And then Jesus told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.  Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.  But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

WOW!  What a blessing, I had over 30 replies from the 100 emails I sent last week.  My intent is not to get replies or keep track of them, but this was confirmation to me that I was in God’s will.  Only by seeking Him will we find His will and be able to follow the steps he has planned out for us.  I know that my faith in our savior Jesus Christ will get me to heaven and at one time that was enough for me.  But over the last 10 years I have come to understand that Christian faith is more than just believing/knowing; Christian faith involves repentance, trust, surrender, commitment and obedience.  My understanding of this has come from the Holy Spirit through God’s word. 

Today, I focus on the obedience portion.  As far as I am concerned there is no debating the requirement for obedience to God and His Word.  The scripture makes it clear to me that we are to obey.  Real obedience can only come from a true love for God and others.  If we are not sharing the Gospel with everyone, we are at the very least being disobedient.  The chances are that it may also be a case that we don’t love others enough to tell them or the worst case is that we don’t truly believe. If we believe in eternal life, how much do we have to dislike someone to not share the Good News with them?  We have the privilege and obligation to love others enough to share the Gospel.

Lord, I pray for forgiveness for my disobedience and ask for continued guidance and wisdom that I may respond in ways that glorify you. 

. . . make smart choices, love everybody, be a blessing, I love you and have a great day.