THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

74Suppose the boy paused to ask, “Why, Dad?” or “Do I have to right now?” He could havebeen killed by the snake. Instant obedience is a mark of faith.RECOGNITION OF GOD’S WISDOM AND AUTHORITYObedience involves a recognition of God’s authority and right to command. Furthermore,in the line of obedience there comes the realization that God knows what is best. It is thisrecognition of the love and sovereignty of God that enables the true believer to rest in Hispromise that “in all things God works together for the good of those who love Him, who havebeen called according to His purpose” (Ro 3:28).We are like small children at God’s feet, unable to see what He sees. Often we do nothave time or the wisdom to reason out a certain instruction. We only have time to obey.Little wonder that we Christians repeatedly find ourselves in difficult situations. Moldedby this age of disobedience, we want to “do our own thing.” Rejecting God’s perfect will, webypass Him and go our own way—only to meet frustration and defeat. Then we complainbecause of difficulties that are the natural result for disobedience.FAITH MUST BE COUPLED WITH OBEDIENCEJesus has warned us all—ministers, church officers, rank-and-file members—that callingHim “Lord, Lord” Has no meaning unless it is coupled with obedience. “Not everyone who saysto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of myFather who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21). The only faith that counts is one that results in obedience.The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the Source of salvation for those whoobey Him. He writes,“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, oncemade perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him . . .”(Heb 5:8-9)The God who sent His Son to redeem us from our sins is the same God of whom we read,“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Theone who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction;the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal 6:7-8).We may shout from the housetops our faith and orthodoxy, but unless they are coupledwith obedience to the teachings of God’s holy word, there will come a time when we findourselves rejected from His eternal presence.To truly know God is to obey Him. The Bible warns “If we claim to have fellowship withHim yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1 Jn 1:6).