Tag Archives: obedience

January 30
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Uncategorized Aside

“I have more understanding then the elders, for I obey your precepts.” (Psalm 119: 100, NIV)

Most people gain knowledge through the so-called “school of hard knocks,” and they obtain understanding through trial and error.   However, there is an easier, faster, and less painful way to acquire the wisdom of the sages: Obedience to God’s word.

It feeds our ego to “be in charge,” but we must resist this Sirens call. None of us are clever enough often enough to consider all of the angles in a decision, but through simple obedience to even the most mundane of God’s commandments, the grace, the peace, and the life we seek will come to us.  – Luther

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January 9
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Uncategorized Aside

“If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.” (1 John 2:4, NLT)

Here is the essence of knowing God: Obedience to His commandments.

It is not doing great things in God’s name that shows we know Him.  It is not acquiring volumes of knowledge about God that shows we know Him. It is not the depth of our sacrifice that shows we know God. To know God is to obey His commandments.

God’s commandments are to love God with all our being; and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  (Please see Mark 12:30-31.)

To be sure, to do great things in God’s name; learning all we can about Him; and sacrificing ourselves for His name’s sake are honorable ambitions.  However, unless these and other works begin at God’s initiative, our labor and our accomplishments are in vain.

Let complete obedience to our Creator and our God be our daily goal. It is only through obedience that we become like Him.  – Luther

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November 21
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Uncategorized Aside
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21, NIV)

We each have a finite capacity for things. If we fill our lives with good things (and by “thing,” I mean intangibles, rather than tangibles), it will displace the bad, evil, and destructive attitudes, thoughts, and motives that take root within us.

Embrace God’s word as you would a life ring in deep water far from land: It can save you. Cultivate the word of God, planted within you, through humble acceptance (obedience): It can save you.

Humble acceptance (obedience) of God’s word leads to salvation, security, and peace.  – Luther

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