And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this World, according to the prince and power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:1-2)
The course of this world is dictated by a “Spirit of Disobedience.” This spirit works in all those who have not been born again.
The seed of disobedience originated from Adams's transgression in the Garden of Eden. It is written, “By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners…”
But, for every born-again believer, the seed of obedience is planted in our hearts. “By the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19).
Any seed planted must be nurtured so it can grow, blossom, and produce fruit. We nurture the seed of obedience when we read our Bibles, and we pray every day.
However, we should read our Bibles with an open heart and mind, listening to the voice of God as He instructs and teaches us in the way that we should go.
In response to His instructions, teachings, and guidance, we, as obedient children, must do the will of God from the heart. Not just hearers of the word but doers also. (James 1:22).
When Abraham obeyed, it was counted to Him for righteousness. When we obey, we display Christlikeness. The Bible says, “He humbled Himself and became Obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8). We should be likeminded, doing as He did-- following in His steps.
“And it shall come to pass, if we harken diligently unto the voice of the Lord our God, to observe and do all His commandments, that the lord our God will set us on high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come on us and overtake us if we will harken unto the voice of the Lord our God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).
This verse speaks for itself. Plain and simple. Whenever God speaks, we listen, we obey, and we do.
In the parable of the seed and the Sower, some seeds fell by the wayside, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. Some fell upon a rock, and as soon as it sprung up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. Some seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns choked it.
But others fell on good ground and sprang up and bear fruit--an hundredfold.
The good ground Jesus explained, are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:5-15).
My admonition to you today is to Abide in Him--walk closely with God. You’ve been quickened to walk in obedience to God’s word. By the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we must maintain the relationship by our continued obedience.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
Jesus said. “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine, no more can you--except you abide in me. This is not just a Sunday fellowship or some religious holiday experience, but it’s a 24/7, daily dying experience.
But who wants to feel the agony of dying daily? We all want to get back to normal living as soon as possible after the death of a loved one. Yet, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For thy sake, we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Romans 8:36).
This is the cost of Discipleship—daily dying to self.
Isaiah said, “He (Jesus our example) is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7). Maybe our problem as sheep is that we are just too quick to open our mouths to complain, and murmur. Don’t you know, “It is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure?”
Just let go, simply obey and trust him.
Never give up, keep holding on, be steadfast, and unmovable; we ought to always pray and not faint.
The Lord said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that’s written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then shalt thou have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
