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Trust and Obey
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

In several previous articles I’ve written about the prominent role faith plays in the life of a Christian. To be blunt - it’s all faith. Nothing happens in God’s kingdom without faith. Knowing God, receiving Jesus as Savior and living a holy life all start with faith. Try as you might, there is no way around faith. In fact, the Holy Bible says it is impossible to please God with out faith. Not difficult; impossible! (Hebrews 11:6)

A logical expression of our faith is obedience. Roman’s 1:5 says that obedience comes from faith. Simply put, if one believes (has faith in) what God says, one will obey Him. If we truly believe that the Bible is God’s Word than we will obey its instructions to us. In the book of James, the apostle said “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Simply knowing the right thing to do is not the same as doing the right thing.

Every day there are biblically grounded sermons preached all over the world. Yet many people allow the message to go in one ear and out the other. Sure, they listen to the Word. But they never actually do what it says. By not obeying what they’ve heard, they are only fooling themselves. They deceive themselves by giving mental assent to its truths; somehow thinking that by agreeing with what was said their job is done. As James said, we need to do what it says.

Surely we can attribute a great deal of this “deception” to the fact that obedience is hard. Our natural inclination is to take the easy route; doing whatever we please. Most of us enjoy our independence and prefer autonomy. We resist following anyone else’s directives - even God’s. From birth, we tend to be somewhat defiant. We always want our way. But here’s some Good News...God knows obedience is hard for us so He helps us. Philippians 2:13 tells us “...it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” If we yield to His working in our lives, obedience will seem natural.

Even Jesus had a difficult time getting folks to hear and obey His sermons. In one instance He said “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49)

I don’t know about you, but when the torrent strikes, I want to be living in a house that is built on a solid foundation. And that is the bottom line. Obedience may not be the first choice in our self-centered pursuit of life and happiness, but it is, by far, the best thing for us. Through obedience to God’s Word we are established on a firm foundation. Through obedience we fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Through obedience we position ourselves in the center of God’s will, blessing and protection.

Some might consider hearing God’s Word and not doing it just a matter of personal preference. After all, we have a right to live our lives the way we want, right? And the answer is, yes, you do have the right to live as you please. God has given each of us a free will. But don’t confuse God’s granting you your own choice as His approval for your actions, or lack of. In fact, after hearing the Word, not doing what it says is nothing short of outright rebellion.

Back to the bottom line. God’s Word, the Holy Bible, was given to us for our betterment, not to make us miserable, but to establish us on a firm foundation. With the continual tug of the world and its desires upon us, it is sometimes difficult to see the benefit of obedience. While hearing the Word and not doing it can sometimes bring immediate gratification, often times the true benefit of obedience will not be realized for some time. That’s where the trust comes in. If we believe God is the loving, almighty, all-knowing Creator, then we have to believe that He knows and desires what’s best for us. If we believe that He knows what is best for us, we would be silly (as well as rebellious) not to obey. “Doing the Word” will always reap eternal rewards that far outweigh momentary delights.

Hymn-writer John Sammis (1846-1919) had it right when he wrote: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

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Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775