God Requires Obedience
By Greg Johnson
April 29, 2007
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
God requires obedience. God is gracious in giving specific instructions through prayer and His Word. Exact execution of God’s instructions is of utmost importance.
GOD IS GRACIOUS IN GIVING SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.
Samuel was a prophet of God and a type of Christ in the Old Testament. God spoke His Word through Samuel and gave specific instructions to Saul who had been appointed king of Israel. The instructions were simple but yet very specific. Samuel told Saul (1 Samuel 10:8 NIV) "Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do." The specific instructions given to Saul included where to go and what to do when He got there. He was to go to Gilgal and wait seven days for Samuel to come and perform the sacrifices. Further instructions would be given when Saul obeyed these instructions.
Obedience requires waiting on God. Waiting is the fruit of trust and it is where the follower of Christ renews their strength. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV) "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Those that wait on the Lord will inherit the earth with Christ. (Psalms 37:9 KJV) "For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth."
The next step of obedience required will be revealed when what is already known is obeyed. It is our human nature to want to know the whole picture before we step out, but there is no faith in that and it takes faith to please God. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Direction is revealed a step at a time. We are to act on what we know and wait for the rest to come.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXACT EXECUTION.
In 1 Samuel chapter 13 we read that when Saul got to Gilgal, a massive Philistine army was assembled to fight Israel. Saul waited in Gilgal for the seven days required and all his men were in fear. Instead of waiting for Samuel to arrive and offer the sacrifices, Saul offered the sacrifices himself. After Saul finished, Samuel arrived. (1 Samuel 13:11-12 NIV) "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, {12} I thought, ’Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
I want you to notice what made Saul disobey God’s specific instructions. Saul said “I saw” – he focused on what he saw. His men were scattering, Samuel had not arrived, and he was facing a great army. Saul said “I thought” – he allowed human reasoning to overtake faith. Saul said “I felt compelled” – he felt like he had to make something happen.
Now notice the result of his actions and know that there are always results to disobedience. (1 Samuel 13:13-14 NIV) "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. {14} But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command." As a result of Saul’s disobedience, another would be anointed King and Saul’s heirs would not sit on the throne. God gives us specific instructions through prayer and His Word. God requires obedience. Disobedience to God and His Word is sin. Sin separates us from God and brings destruction to our lives and to those around us.
JESUS MAKES THE WAY.
Beloved, it’s by the grace of God that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and He broke the power of sin over us. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to know and to obey His specific instructions. As we take up our cross, deny our self and follow Jesus, He will teach us what to do, where to go and how to wait. As we complete one step of obedience, Jesus will give us the next step. Step by step we follow Jesus and continue His ministry here on earth in the power of the Holy Spirit until He comes. Be encouraged today because you have a supernatural partner that is taking you from step to step on your journey from earth to glory!
