THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF TRUTH

" . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)

Devotion 11 of 20

THE MEANS OF APPROPRIATING THE BENEFITS
Obedience

Obedience is an integral part of the kingdom of our Lord. Disobedience is never in order, and obedience is never out of order! The Holy Spirit sanctifies the people of God in order that they might obey Him. As it is written, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, UNTO OBEDIENCE and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:2). Such obedience is rendered "from the heart," and is not a matter of coercion (Rom 6:17).

From a larger perspective, it is the truth itself that is obeyed (Gal 3:1; 5:7). In this obedience, the life of the obedient one is brought into harmony with the truth of God. This is a marvelous thing to consider.

Obedience to the Gospel of Christ is so critical, that salvation is not possible without it. Speaking of the return of the Lord Jesus and the consequent exclusion of the ungodly from the Lord, the Spirit says, " . . . the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBEY NOT the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power" (2 Thess 1:7-9). Let no one, therefore, question the necessity of obedience.

However, obedience is not an end of itself. It is possible to do everything the ord has commanded, and still be unprofitable servants. Were it not for the word of the King Himself, many would find this a most difficult consideration. As Jesus Himself said, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10). Those who obey God only out of a sense of duty are standing on dangerous ground.

There is a higher purpose that demands we obey! It is participation in God's "eternal purpose." "And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Heb 5:9). "Eternal salvation" includes remission, but is larger than remission. It also encompasses the "ages to come," where we shall "ever be with the Lord" ( Eph 2:7; 1 Thess 4:17). From this perspective, obedience is willing orientation for eternity. In such obedience, sinful proclivities are subdued, and heavenly influences cultured. Where this does not take place, true obedience has not been rendered to the Lord.

Obedience is made reasonable and possible in the greater context of Divine intent, or God's "eternal purpose." It involves removing our primary allegiance from temporal things, and emphasizing to what will not pass away. This, of course, requires being "joined to the Lord" (1 Cor 6:17). Those who emphasize obedience without calling men into that fellowship with Christ greatly err (1 Cor 1:9).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to obey. I also thank You for Your grace, which makes obedience pleasant and to be desired. In the name of Jesus, give me strength to be an "obedient child."

-- TOMORROW: HOLINESS --