ENJOYING OBEDIENCE

ENJOYING OBEDIENCE

“Godliness is profitable unto all things.”

(1st Timothy 4:8)

The following is from The Scriptures and Obedience by Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952).  The more we obey God, the more we will have joy and contentment walking with our God.  When we disobey, when we ignore His commands, we separate ourselves from Him; ultimately leading to sin.  Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

When we purposefully lay down our lives to follow Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within us, we will enjoy the rewards of obedience:

Obedience purifies our soul.  “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1st Peter 1:22).  

Obedience opens up communication with God.“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1st John 3:22).

Obedience brings our soul precious and intimate manifestations of Christ.  “He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).

Obedience is wise. “Her (wisdom)

 ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17). 

Obedience brings rewards.“His commandments are not grievous” (1st John 5:3) and “in keeping of them there is a great reward” (Psalm 19:11).

Obedience is expected.  “As obedient children, not fashioning yourself according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (life)

; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy” (1st Peter 1:14-16).

Walking in obedience will bring you the joy and the contentment (peace) you need to function in this evil world.  We leave you with a quote from Sister Elisabeth Elliot: “When obedience to God contradicts what I think will give me pleasure, let me ask myself if I love Him.”

Selah.