Obedience, My Token of Love

Obedience, My Token of Love

Guide 20

A soldier was missing from the battle ranks. When a lull came his commanding officer sent a squad to search for him. They found him hiding in a garden.

When the soldier was brought before his superior, an explanation was demanded. He stood in silence, then finally said, "Sir, I was doing no harm." But he was court-martialed, convicted, and shot by a firing squad.

Christians today are soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ, engaged in a mighty conflict against the forces of evil. Paul tells us:

"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."—Ephesians 6:12.

A conflict is raging between good and evil, between Christ and Satan. It is a battle for human hearts, as well as for the possession of our world. It is a struggle to the death between right and wrong. And, whether or not we realize it, we are placing ourselves on one side or the other. There can be no compromise, no neutral position.

"For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial [the evil one]?"—2 Corinthians 6:14, 15.

In the spiritual sense, we are soldiers of one general or the other — Christ or Satan. Jesus Christ, the "Captain of our salvation," is "King of kings." As soldiers under His banner, we are either wholeheartedly for Him, or we are against Him.

In Matthew 12:25-30 Jesus tells us of His purpose to conquer Satan (symbolized by "the strong man") and completely destroy his stronghold of sin. Here is what Christ says to us about our relationship to Him in this conflict of the ages:

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."—Matthew 12:30.

There is no middle ground. We cannot be true to God and hide when the battle rages. We cannot plead, "Lord, I'm not doing anything bad." God wants our wholehearted loyalty.

Though unseen, this is no mock battle. According to Revelation 12, "there was war in heaven" between Christ and Satan. Satan was cast down to this earth. (Verse 9.) Knowing that his death sentence will soon be executed, he fights with awful rage against God, His government, His law, and His people. (Verses 10-17.) He hates those who accept the principles that Jesus taught while on earth. Verse 17 tells us that in the last days the devil will give vent to unusual hatred against the people who "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

1. WHAT JESUS EXPECTS OF GOOD SOLDIERS

Can you imagine an army without discipline? Could an army have discipline without a manual of rules, regulations, and laws? As soldiers in God's army, our manual is the Holy Bible.

In basic training a soldier is taught to conform to the rules in the army manual. He cannot act on hearsay. He cannot plead that in civilian life he did "thus and so." He has one set of rules, a written law. By it he will be governed. By it he will be judged.

The spiritual soldier cannot win the life-and-death struggle against Satan and his armies of evil, if he refuses to live by God's Book. He cannot plead that the majority of Christians do "thus and so."

Only as we live by the teachings of God's Holy Word, the Bible, will we be counted as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, sharing His victory over sin.

Suppose a soldier should tell his officer that he agrees to all the army regulations except one. How would such a soldier be regarded? How disappointing it must be to Jesus, who gave His life to save His people from their sins, when those who claim to belong to Him are disloyal even in one respect. The loyal soldier of Christ will reflect Paul's attitude:

"So fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest . . . I myself should be a castaway."—1 Corinthians 9:26, 27.

The apostle knew that any unwillingness on his part to serve as a good soldier might lead him to turn his back on Christ and finally bring him to eternal death. He cautions us to take inventory of our spiritual lives to make sure that we are truly the children of God.

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES."—2 Corinthians 13:5.

2. GOD'S BOOK NEVER CHANGES

A nation's army may change its rules, but no one can safely tamper with God's Word.

"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."—Psalm 119:89.

God wants to make His Word equally sure in our hearts. Jesus taught us to pray:

"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."—Matthew 6:10.

After praying that we and others will do God's will on earth as it is done in heaven, we are to live our prayers through the power of Christ.

According to Revelation 12:17, the true church in the last days will "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus." God's law is perfect and therefore eternal.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."—Psalm 19:7.

Does God's law of love take first place in your life? Is the Bible, and the Bible only, your rule of faith? Remember, God says:

"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."—Psalm 89:34.

God will not change His covenant — His law, His Word. He is unchanging (Malachi 3:6) and Jesus is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8.

3. CAN GOD ACCEPT PARTIAL OBEDIENCE?

Obedience is the test of loyalty; the fruit of love. The child who constantly disobeys his parents gives little evidence of true love and respect. And the Christian who gives to God only partial obedience demonstrates that his affections are divided.

"By their fruits ye shall know them."—Matthew 7:20.

How much we love God will be shown by our actions. Read also 1 John 2:3-5.

Adam and Eve

When the first man and the first woman made their home in Eden, God gave them possession of everything in that delightful garden except one tree. That tree was beautiful, and its fruit apparently delicious.

Surely, Adam and Eve thought, one taste of this fruit could do no harm. But by one taste, disloyalty entered a sinless world, and rebellion against God began.

Our loyalty is many times tested by things that seem unimportant. Sin is so deceiving. Says the poet:

"Who is it knocks so loud?"
"A little lonely sin."
"Slip through," we answer,
And all hell is in.

The Word of God warns:

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."—Galatians 6:7.

Cain and Abel

God taught Adam and Eve, our first parents, to look forward to the coming Saviour, their sacrifice for sin. (Genesis 3:15.) Cain and Abel, their children, were taught to bring a lamb and offer it as a sign of their faith in "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29.

But Cain was interested in horticulture, while Abel raised sheep. Why should Cain secure a lamb from his younger brother to offer on the altar of sacrifice? Why were his fruits and vegetables not just as suitable a sacrifice as Abel's lamb? Just a little change in the mode of worship seemed a small thing to Cain.

But the blood of a lamb, not fruits and vegetables, symbolized faith in the coming Redeemer from sin. It was not for Cain to decide how God could be approached. He was setting up a self-made religion in place of the worship appointed by his Creator. Disloyalty was manifest in his disobedience. Anger and hatred followed, and murder was the result.

From that day until this, man has tended to alter the commands of God just a little here and there to suit himself.

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, . . . WHO CHANGED THE TRUTH OF GOD INTO A LIE, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."—Romans 1:21, 22, 25.

Lot's Wife

How well we remember the Bible story of the burning of Sodom! God led Lot, his wife, and two daughters out of the city and commanded them not to turn back, not even to look back at the city.

But everything they possessed was in that doomed metropolis; and their hearts were with those possessions, and with their relatives and friends. It was hard enough to leave, but the command not to look back at the burning city — what was the point in that?

Did God mean literally what He said? Mrs. Lot turned and looked longingly back toward her disappearing possessions. Surely just one look wouldn't count? But it did count. And Lot's wife was turned into a mound of salt.

When God speaks, He means exactly what He says. Jesus warns, "Remember Lot's wife." Luke 17:32.

4. OBEDIENCE — THE SIGN OF LOYALTY

King Saul

In 1 Samuel 15 and 16 we have the story of King Saul's disobedience to a command of God. He did nearly all that God commanded. But in one thing he disobeyed: he did not destroy all the Amalekites. He saved their king.

Evidently Saul thought that all but one was good enough to meet the Lord's requirement. But that act revealed a spirit of disloyalty and disobedience in the king's heart.

God is particular in asking unquestioning obedience to His Word today. Some are willing to obey all but one of the Ten Commandments, failing to understand why nine will not do as well as all ten. But God looks into our hearts to discover our motive. When He looks into my heart and yours, will He find us selfishly wanting to do as we please — just a little bit?

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, he is guilty of all."—James 2:10.

King Saul said, "I have performed the commandment of the Lord." 1 Samuel 15:13. He had — almost, but not wholly.

Saul went on in his stubborn self-will until he had rejected God completely and turned to spiritistic communications for direction. The prophet told Saul the reason for his rejection:

"Thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee."—1 Samuel 15:26.

5. IS GOD LESS PARTICULAR TODAY?

Of the Old Testament church God says:

"All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto A DISOBEDIENT and gainsaying PEOPLE."—Romans 10:21.

The spirit of disobedience is as prevalent now as it was in Bible times. There is danger that church members will fall into the same snare of the devil, and think that God is not particular. Paul warns New Testament Christians:

"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE. Be not ye therefore partakers with them."—Ephesians 5:6, 7.

Even church members may lose heaven as their eternal reward.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in heaven."—Matthew 7:21.

True Christianity is more than form. It is more than shouting, "Lord, Lord." God is looking for men and women who have been changed by the converting power of the Holy Spirit. James says:

"But BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."—James 1:22.

Men may perform miracles in the name of Jesus. They may even prophesy and heal the sick. But they will not enter heaven unless they are willing to do the will of God. Jesus warns:

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you."—Matthew 7:22, 23.

When men mix their private opinions with the pure doctrines of the Bible, their teachings become traditions which are more acceptable to the human heart than is the "sword of the spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17. Of such sidestepping the will of God, Jesus says:

"Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? . . . YE [HAVE] MADE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD OF NONE EFFECT BY YOUR TRADITION. . . . But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."—Matthew 15:3, 6, 9.

Paul describes such religion as:

"HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."—2 Timothy 3:5.

God's holy law is a revelation of His character, the constitution of His government, the foundation which supports His throne. Dare we set it aside for tradition or sentiment, or because of popular demand?

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."—Deuteronomy 4:2.

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."—Matthew 5:19.

6. WHO IS THE FRIEND OF GOD?

Jesus said,

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."—John 15:14.

Today, when the standards of righteousness are being dishonored by many who profess to be Christians, God measures His soldiers by their loyalty.

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."—1 John 2:3, 4.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."—1 John 5:3.

7. POWER TO OBEY GOD

"Why should God ask any man to obey the Ten Commandments when it can't be done?" an unbeliever asked his Christian friend.

"Oh, but it can be done! That is where the Christian has the advantage over the man who is unconverted."

"Oh, yes? Well, just tell me how," came back the challenge.

"It's like this: When we give our hearts to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes in and takes possession of our lives and gives us the power to do God's will."

"I can do all things through CHRIST which STRENGTHENETH ME."—Philippians 4:13.

"The righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."—Romans 8:4.

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS POWER."—Colossians 1:10, 11.

Jesus keeps us from falling again and again into sin if we let Him.

"Now unto him that is ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, AND TO PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."—Jude 24.

How does Christ give us the power to obey? He promises:

"I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."—Hebrews 8:10.

Christ's appeal is to obey Him because we love Him:

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."—John 14:15.

Those who love Christ enough to obey Him are promised a home in heaven.

"Blessed are they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY."—Revelation 22:14.

God is particular. He desires wholehearted love that leads to complete obedience to His will, His Word, and His law. He offers you and me the power to obey His commandments. Will you give Him the loyalty of your heart?

Dear Father in heaven: I thank Thee for the promise of power from above to change my heart and give me right desires and motives. Oh, make me loyal to my Saviour, who gave His life that I might have such divine aid! Make me loyal to Thy will. Write Thy law in my heart and mind, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.