Obedience is Required

No assembly required is my kind of gift to give. I figure my gift shouldn’t be a burden to the recipient. I’m taking a wild guess here, but I am willing to bet that God feels the same way.  

While I believe that obedience is required for my salvation, I do not believe that God ever meant for His gift of salvation to feel like a burden to me. I do not believe that He wants me to feel like I have to “work” for something that He freely gives to me.  

Therefore, I see now that my obedience is required, not to please Him, but to SAVE ME.  

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 ESV 

Maybe I should put it this way: 

God wrapped Himself in flesh, and came to this earth to save me, right?  

But what happens when I start acting like I don’t need saving?  (See 1 Tim 3:16) 

I see now that if I live my life hating my brother while saying I love God, I’m just making myself out to be a liar. (See 1 John 4:20) 

Just like Noah had to build a boat to save himself, I have to listen for that still small voice. Furthermore, my obedience to it is required, even when it means loving someone else as I love myself. See, I am also required to write His word on my heart, that I might not sin against Him (Deuteronomy 6:6), which is one of many examples of directions that have been given to me through the Word of God, but my obedience is still required.  

Want to see a New Testament example?  

In the first chapter of Acts, “while staying with them [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 ESV

The 120 people that received the instruction recorded in Acts 1:4, and then obediently waited for the promise would likely agree that their obedience was required- and it made all the difference in the world to them. Their obedience placed them in the upper room where the glory of heaven fell like tongues of fire (Acts 2). Could you imagine being there when that fire fell!? I believe that there is no doubt that the 120 received a reward for their obedience. It one of many examples from the Bible where God’s promise was fulfilled, following a person’s ability to be still and simply reside in their obedience.  

I find it no coincidence that verse just above, (Acts 1:3) says Christ was with them “after his sufferings”, because I see now that my obedience often requires my suffering, too. I believe that we should continue to allow God to seal us the same way, but obedience is also required. It sounds simple, I know, but obedience often involves suffering.  

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  

1 Peter 4: 12-13 ESV  

But you should be encouraged today, because if you pay close attention to the end of Acts 1:3, the secret to overcoming suffering is hidden there in plain sight.  

Jesus had forty days to spend with fellow servants, face to face. One last push to give instructions and strength to his fellow servants, as he knew they were going to face their own challenges in the days that lay ahead. Yet it is summed up in these words: He spent those days “speaking about the kingdom of God”. Acts 1:3 

Jesus spent His last forty days setting yet another beautiful example of how I should also strive to live my life, by seeking first the Kingdom of God.  

I see now that Jesus lived out Matthew 6:33 in His final 40 days on this earth, and I believe that example was set just for me and you.  

I am here to invite you to take the next forty days and spend them just like Jesus spent His last forty days on this earth “speaking about the kingdom of God”. Acts 1:3 

I am willing to bet that if you would commit to seeking first His kingdom, consistently, for the next 40 days, that your life will be changed for the better.  

See, I believe that obedience is required for me to be saved from the horrors of this world, but He can only guide me to safety if I seek first His Kingdom. I want to be clear that my obedience is not required because God needs me, my skills, my smartness, or my personality. However, it is also true that I NEED my belief. In other words, I need to be firmly planted in my belief that He is my God, and I am His. If not, my unbelief will cause me to shrink back from Him, when I need him the most. (See Hebrews 10:39)  

Therefore, God isn’t after my works. He is after my heart, and the question I must answer is in my heart is this - do I really believe that He will come through? He has asked me to step out of the boat, and I can assure you that I know with 100% certainty that I have stepped out of the boat, so then the question really becomes: Will I sink or swim?  

If I get distracted, taking my eyes off of Him, then I may allow doubt to creep in, as I look around at the wind and the waves just as Peter did, instead of keeping my eyes on Him.  (See Matthew 14:22-23)  

So, I see now that if God gives me directives, such as telling me to keep my eyes on Him, I should receive those instructions in the context and with the understanding that those directions are often my protection, no one else’s. But that is a nugget for another time. 

For today, I just encourage you to seek first His kingdom, even if it means you may suffer. God will reimburse you; He always does. 

Today come to His table, read His word, repent, and counsel with God while He may be found (See Isaiah 55:6).