“…don’t just listen to God’s word. YOU MUST DO WHAT IT SAYS. Otherwise, you are only deceiving yourselves.” (Jam. 1:22) Jesus asks us , “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and DO NOT DO WHAT I SAY?” (Luke 6:46)
REASONS WHY OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS IMPORTANT.
- Jesus Calls Us to Obey… “Anyone who loves me WILL OBEY my teaching.” (John 14:23)
- Obedience Is an Act of Worship… “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your word and OBEY IT WITH ALL MY HEART.” (Psa. 119:34)
- God Rewards Obedience… “…through your offspring all nations on earth WILL BE BLESSED, because you have obeyed me.” (Gen. 22:18)
- Obedienceto God Proves Our Love… “Anyone who LOVES ME will obey my teaching.” (John 14:23)
- Obedienceto God Demonstrates Faith… “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that HIS FAITH AND HIS ACTIONS were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (Jam. 2:21-22)
- Disobedience Leads to Sin and Death… “…the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23)
Many people expect God’s Word to work like a stick of dynamite — but God’s Word is like a seed. We know because of what Jesus said. “THE SEED is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) Jesus teaches, “…the ones who hear, the devil comes and takes away the word, so they may not believe and be saved…the ones who receive the word with joy…but have no root…in testing they fall away…those who hear, but are choked by life’s worries…they do not mature…the seed on good ground…for those with a good heart…hear the word, and PRODUCE A CROP.” (Luke 8:12-15)
-Bill Stockham