Complete Obedience… “Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” Exodus 24:7
Moses delivered, in more detail, God’s expectations and rules. He gave the people very practical laws and instructions. His commands related to everything from how to deal with crimes like stealing and killing, as well as how to take care of the poor, widows and orphans. The attitude of the people was instant and total obedience. They had seen the disastrous consequences of half hearted obedience, and chose to avoid this foolish path.
When God speaks, does it settle the issue in your mind and heart? When He speaks to you through His word in personal study, prayer, small group study, worship, through other people, or in Biblical teaching by your pastor, how do you respond? Do you rationalize away His rules? Do you admit the teaching is true, but just for someone else, rather than yourself? Do you ignore God speaking? Or, do you gladly and whole heartily embrace and obey God’s word? You can believe in your head, but do you apply it to your heart, and live it out in your behavior. Total and thorough obedience is important to God. Why?
It is important because it validates our trust in Him. We may not totally understand why at the moment, but we know in our hearts He can be trusted, so we obey Him, trusting that He knows what’s best. You may be tempted to give partial or delayed obedience. You may say, ‘I’ll do the convenient part of His command, but not the hard part because it does not apply to me.’ Or, you may say, ‘I will do it later at a more opportune time.’ In both cases its being disobedient. Obedience that is not thorough and instant is disobedience.
Start with the obvious issues in your life. Do you owe her an apology? Give it. Do you owe money? Pay it back. Are you flirting with someone other than your spouse? Break it off. Where are you led to serve? Serve. Obedience is your friend. Invite it into your life, embrace it, and then live it out instantly and thoroughly. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
Related Readings: Ezekiel 33:31-32; Luke 6:46-48; 1 Timothy 5:4
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
