In 1 Sam 15, we read that Saul did not follow God’s instructions completely. Whatever reasons or justifications he thought he had, he knowingly disobeyed God. On the topic of obedience, allow me to share a few points.
1. Obedience must be complete
The passing mark for exams in the primary school is 60. It becomes 50 in secondary school. In obedience, the passing mark is 100%.
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. … Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. (Deuteronomy 28:1, 14)
We are expected to obey “all his commands”. We are told not to “turn aside from any of the commands.”
2. Obedience Must be Immediate
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. (Psalms 119:60)
When God call you to do something, do it. Do not wait until you are retired, when your children finish their studies, or when you complete your theological studies, etc.
When God calls you to lead the CG, and you do not answer the call, will God leave the CG without a leader while waiting for you? It is likely someone else will be called instead. When God calls you to be a missionary in Inner Mongolia, and you do not respond in actions, will God hold on the plan and let the Mongolians die without Jesus for the 15 years you need to prepare yourself? No, God will likely call someone else who will obey him.
3. Obedience is an expression of love
“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15, please read verses 21 and 23 too).
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. (1 John 5:3a)
Do you love God? How do you love God? How do you know you love God? Here’s one way – obey his commands! The more we love God, the more willing we obey God. the more we love God, the less we delay obeying God. The more we love God, the easier it is for us to obey God – we no longer pick only those that we find easy to obey.
Do you obey God? Do you love God? What is stopping you from obeying God?
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