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I’m convinced we can’t fully obey God’s Word until we understand why the Lord calls for perfect obedience. Why does God demand this? Is it because he’s a despot, a tyrant who delights in placing heavy yokes and burdens on his people? No, not at all. Jesus tells us the burden he places on us is light and easy (Matthew 11:30). His commands aren’t grievous.
So, does God demand perfect obedience because it appeases him in some way? Certainly not. Our obedience to his laws is not designed merely for his pleasure. God isn’t looking to satisfy something in himself by seeing us obey his instruction.
Yet our perfect obedience to him does have to do with his pleasure. He has great pleasure when he sees the fruit that our obedience produces. Our Lord is like any father: he loves to see his children blessed and maturing as a result of their obedience to his instruction.
Under the Old Covenant, Israel’s obedience resulted in good fruit and many tangible blessings for them: “You shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days” (Exodus 23:25-26, NKJV).
Great fruitfulness was the reward for Israel’s obedience. God said when they obeyed his commands, they would receive tangible, material blessings. They would see increases in their livestock, vineyards and crops. They would enjoy good weather, fine clothing, nice homes and personal security. Their obedience would also result in powerful spiritual blessings, including manifestations of the Lord’s glory.
Yet, unbelievably, Israel chafed under God’s law. They kicked against the very commands designed to make them strong, victorious and prosperous. It was clearly meant for their benefit, but they resented it!
In the New Testament, some of the Lord’s most devoted followers questioned his directions to them.
The disciples had every reason to question one of Jesus’ directions: “After this He said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to Him, ‘Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?’” (John 11:7-8). The disciples couldn’t believe what Jesus was asking of them. The last time they were in Judea, the people there tried to kill him. No doubt they would try again, if he went back now.
Christ answered them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (11:11). The disciples’ response? “Lord, let him sleep! Why wake him? Sleep is good for a person. If Lazarus is sleeping, he’s getting healthy!” (see 11:12). Then Jesus explained to them that Lazarus had died. This must have confused the disciples even more. Why step back into danger if Lazarus’ battle with illness was already over?
Their Lord had given his followers a clear word, a definite direction. Yet the frightened, confused disciples came up with any number of excuses why they shouldn’t obey it. Obviously, they saw danger ahead, both for themselves and their Master. Thus, they saw no point to what Jesus was asking.
Many devout Christians today react the same way upon hearing a seemingly absurd direction from the Lord. Sometimes the Holy Spirit tells us something that isn’t contrary to Scripture but that we simply don’t understand. We think, “That can’t be God speaking. It has to be my flesh, my own thoughts.” We quickly find a convenient passage to counteract the direction. Yet all along, it’s the Holy Ghost trying to get through to us, all for our own blessing.
29 сен 2024