Is close enough…good enough? Close enough is good enough if you
are playing horseshoes. However, the topic we are discussing is
the foundation of our Christian walk. Close enough is never good
enough when it comes to obedience. Solomon summons up the duty
of man which is to fear God (respect) and keep His commands
(obey)
(Eccl. 12:13).
This six part series answers the six W’s
(who, what, where, when, why and how [whow]).
The six “W” have been around for a long time. The book “Just So
Stories” written by Rudyard Kipling in 1902 includes a tale
called The Elephant's Child. The beginning of this tale has a
poem about the “Five W’s” (and one H).
I Keep six honest serving-men:
(They taught me all I knew)
Their names are What and Where and When
And How and Why and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
I let them rest from nine till five.
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men:
But different folk have different views:
I know a person small —
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!
She sends 'em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes —
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!
In journalism, the Five Ws, also known as the Five Ws (and one
H) or simply the Six Ws, is a format used in research, news
style, and police investigations. It reveals the "full" story
concerning a particular issue. The Five Ws (and one H) is used
so a report can be considered complete. It must answer a
checklist of six questions. The interrogative word of each of
these six W’s should elicit a factual answer that requires more
than a “yes” or “no” response.
Should we obey? The answer is quick and easy and its response
requires a “yes” or “no” response but obedience is much more
than a one word response. This six part series attempts to look
at obedience from all angles and reports the “full” story.
The following information does not exclusively discuss
obedience; it includes disobedience. Often times we assumes
because we have been partially obedient that is good enough, we
think that close enough is good enough. When we encompass
disobedience in this discussion we find that close enough is
never good enough.
1 a: an act or instance of obeying b: the quality or state of
being obedient
2: a sphere of jurisdiction; especially: an ecclesiastical or
sometimes secular dominion Disobedience
Refusal (knowingly) or neglect (unknowingly) to obey
Obedience is defined as a single act or a state of being
obedient. There is a difference between these two definitions
because a person may think they are obedient if they perform an
act of obedience but in reality true obedience in God’s kingdom
is a state of being obedient. A single act of obedience can be
considered disobedience if the instructions are not fully
completed. Instructions must be fully completed to be considered
a state of obedience. Completion is not only vital it comes with
a different label.
Completed= Obedience
Single act of obedience but not complete= Disobedience
So what can we learn from this. Do we learn that if we have no
intentions of doing everything we are asked to do, we don’t do
anything? No, this is not true. The best example is when you are
training you children to walk across the street.
You tell your child:
1. Stop before you cross the street
2. Look to the right making sure that nothing is coming
3. Look to the left making sure that nothing is coming
4. When both ways are clear cross the street
Now if you child stopped, looked to the right and forgot to look
to the left and crossed the street they could get run over. Do
you think it would make a difference if your child decided not
to follow any of your instruction? What if your child just ran
across the street and did not follow any of the steps above?
Well, you must see the risk involved. The possibility of him
being run over is much higher.
Although the child runs the risk
of getting run over in either of these scenarios, the one in
which he does not follow any of the instruction is much more
frightening. However, to eliminate the risk completely follow
the instruction completely. We should realize when God gives us
instructions, follow them. He loves you and wants only the best
for you. His instructions will be the best thing for you just
like the instructions you give your children when they need to
cross the street.
Take comfort in the fact that the Bible never shows an example
of disobedience in which the person did not know what they were
required to do. According to the scriptures, each person who
disobeyed knew exactly what God expect them to do. They would
knowingly choose to do whatever they wanted to do.
The best example of acts of obedience which were considered
disobedience was the actions preformed by Saul (the first king
of Israel). Saul was anointed king by the prophet Samuel (I
Samuel 10). Samuel was God’s mouth piece. He would tell King
Saul exactly what was expected of him. Please read chapters I
Samuel 9-15 this gives other examples of Saul’s single acts of
obedience that were not fully completed and therefore considered
disobedience. I Samuel 15:1-30 gives us the details of Saul’s final
act of disobedience which resulted in his losing his kingdom
(15:28). Here are the instructions that God gave Samuel that he
in turn gave to Saul. The mouth piece of God (Samuel) showed
obedience. He followed God’s instructions completely. Here are
Saul’s instructions.
1. Attack
the Amalekites (15:2)
2. Totally destroy everything that belongs to them. (15:3)
3. Do not spare them put to death men and women, children
and infants. (15:3)
4. Do not spare the cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.
(15:3)
Here is what Saul did
1. He
attacked the Amalekites. (15:7)
2. He destroyed everything BUT saved everything good.
(15:9)
3. He did not spare any of the people BUT he took
Agag king of the Amalekites alive (15:9)
4. He destroyed cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys BUT
the best of the sheep, cattle, fat calves and lambs he saved
(15:9)
Was Saul’s decision to disobey a refusal (knowingly) or neglect
(unknowingly)? This is an easy question. It was a refusal. He
never responded with “I did not know what you wanted”. His
response was that he had done what he was told to do. He denied
his disobedience twice (15:13-15, 15:20-21). He felt because he
had done some of what was expected that was enough. Then Saul
finally stated that he had not done everything because he was
afraid of the people (15:24). In his mind, he had preformed acts
of obedience and had decided that he was obedient.
Unfortunately, his refusal to completely obey all of God’s
commands made him lose his kingdom. In God’s eyes it was
disobedience. He was close enough in his own mind but it was
not good enough for God.
The second part of obedience “a sphere of jurisdiction;
especially: an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion”
will be discussed in the section labeled “who do we obey”. It
will give an excellent example of this type of obedience.
II. Where do you find the importance of obedience &
disobedience in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God (respect) and keep his commandments (obey), for this is
the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every
hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Disobedience)
Solomon was the wisest man that
every lived. The book of Proverbs is full of wise sayings and
practical advice for living. The next book, which Solomon wrote,
is Ecclesiastes. This book of the Bible describes a man
attempting to find purpose and meaning in life. He is reflecting
on his life and trying to make sense of it.
In the final chapter, he summons up
his conclusion. The whole duty of man is to fear God (respect)
and keep His commandments (obey). Obedience is one part of our
duty to God. This verse shows that obedience is extremely
important. It is part of our duty. Duty describes our total
responsibility.
The best example of duty is in the
military. As a service member in the military, obeying orders or
commands is mandatory. They have a required dress code, group
physical training exercises, and individual job
responsibilities. Besides obeying orders or commands, a service
member is required to respect authority through certain
salutations and required physical stances.
The picture
to the left shows a soldier obeying orders. He is walking around
with his required uniform and proper military stance. Keeping
his head forward, shouldering his weapon, walking in the
assigned area, and wearing his Class A uniform, these are all
acts of obedience. The soldier on the right is showing respect
to the American flag. He is standing at attention and saluting
the flag. These pictures show the duties of a soldier.
Jesus
makes reference to our duty in the book of Luke.
Luke 17:7-10
7"Suppose one of you
had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say
to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now
and sit down to eat'?
8Would he not rather
say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while
I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?
9Would he thank the
servant because he did what he was told to do?
10So you also, when
you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We
are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "
In Luke 17, it reminds us that doing
our duty does not entitle us to some special privilege. God
expects us to do our duty. Obedience to God does come with
privileges but they should not be done to receive rewards. It is
our responsibility. We don’t deserve rewards for doing our duty.
People often feel they have some sense of entitlement if they do
the right thing. Jesus clearly states that we are to do our duty
and expect nothing.
After understanding duty, we realize
that we have a duty to God which is to obey and respect Him. Our
obedience and respect for God is the foundation of our faith or
in other terms our duty.
These verses in Ecclesiastes show
not only the importance of our duty to God but the consequences
of inappropriate behavior which includes disobedience. We are
required to obey God. If we don’t obey God, we are disobeying
God. God will judge every action good or bad. Disobedience will
never be overlooked or ignored.
III.
What is OUR response to obedience and disobedience?
A. Knows in Heart
B. Instant or Complete
C. Delayed or Ignored
D. Refusal=Rebellion
As children, we
were all given instructions for living. Our parent or parents
would attempt to correct our behavior when we fell out of the
prescribed guidelines. This information discusses our responses
to these orders or commands. We either obey or disobey. There is
no gray area. As discussed earlier, partial obedience is
disobedience.
A. Knows in heart
Acts 13: 22
After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified
concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my
own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
As
we grow, we learn what our parents like or dislike. This
discusses those times as a child when we say that we love our
parents for no particular reason or when we buy them candy or
flowers just because we love them. When as children we perform
acts of service - wash car, do dishes, clean room, and empty
trash etc. without being told. This first response it not a
verbal command but a heart response. It is obedience based on
our perception of doing the right thing in order to please our
parent.
As
a parent, you love it when your child displays these wonderful
acts of love. The feelings of love and appreciation are
overwhelming. They touch your heart. God who is our Father feels
the same way. When we go out of our way to satisfy His needs His
heart is truly blessed.*
David knew the heart of God. People cannot understand how such a
flawed individual obtained such a title. There was no pretense
with David. He did not hide his true character but more
importantly he was always looking for ways to satisfy His God.
He wanted God to have a permanent place (temple). He wanted to
satisfy God’s need for recognition and appreciation. God knew
this and loved David for his truly loving, caring, giving heart.
When you read this verse, the most important part is "he will do
everything I want him to do". The key word is "want" the word
was not asked, told, instructed but what God wanted.
*please read the article “How
can you use the 5 love languages for God”. This is for
mature Christian who realizes the significance of touching the
heart of God on a daily basis.
B. Instant or complete obedience
Genesis 6: 13, 14(a), 22
13So God said to Noah, "I am going
to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with
violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them
and the earth.
14
So make yourself an ark of cypress wood…
22Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
When our parents outline instructions or guidelines, we need to
follow them instantly and completely. Parents should not have to
count 1-2-3 or threaten punishment to get us to do what they
asked us to do. Our response should be obedience. The
motivation for both of these responses (knows in heart,
instant/complete) is found in “why do we obey”
Noah is the first example of instant and complete obedience.
Adam was obedient for a time but he became disobedient. In
Genesis
6: 12-22 God tells Noah what He is about to do and what
Noah needs to do. In
Genesis
7:1-5 God gives another list of instructions prior to
entering the ark and again Noah did ALL that the Lord commanded
him.
These verses show the quality or state of being obedient. Noah
does not give partial but complete obedience. Besides this
complete obedience, he also merits recognition for his constant
state of obedience. To put it plainly, he not only does the work
well he does it well every time.
Take note thatNoah did not try to negotiate with God. He did not
discuss alterations to the plan. Noah did not tell God…
1.
Well, maybe tomorrow I am so busy today I don’t have the
time. My job keeps me too busy. I have to make money for
my family.
2. I know that we can use a cheaper wood. Those trees
are really hard to get lets use something else.
3. I don’t think we need it quite that big. I really
think I can make it smaller you know I have seen the
animals around here and they really don’t need that much
space.
4. I cannot afford this. I have a budget this cost way
too much. Let’s just put pitch on the outside we really
don’t need in on the inside as well. I don’t want to waste my money on such a minute details. I know it
really doesn’t matter that much.
5. I have a reputation what will people think.
A
pastor of a church told the congregation that God had told him
to increase the mission’s fund up to 25% percentage over time.
He announced this to the church. Later that year the budget came
out and the mission’s budget was 16% which was 1% lower than the
year before.
Do you
think he was close enough? Was he increasing the mission’s
fund? He obviously was giving way more than 10% of his
budget to other ministries so what is the big deal.
Do you think God wanted Him to give less when he said God
wanted him to increase it more? Do you think he was trying
to negotiate with God? Is this obedience? What would you do?
C.
Delayed/Ignored
Jonah 1:1-3 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it,
because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.
How is delayed or ignored different from refuses? It is not a
verbal response of “no” but one of I am going to run away from
you. Admittedly, Jonah’s response was quite judgmental because
he wanted Nineveh punished so he ran away from God. You look at
your child and say, “Go pick up your toys” Instead they run
outside to get away from you.
Jonah was a prophet. God had told him to go to Nineveh and tell
the people to repent because their wickedness was great. Jonah
did not want to help his enemy so he got into a ship that was
headed in the wrong direction.
God had a big fish swallow Jonah. While in the fish, Jonah
realized the error of his ways. In chapter 3, Jonah obeyed the
Lord when God came again
(vs. 1-3)He did not delay or ignore God.
A little girl was talking to her
teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to
swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal
its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a
whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow
a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask
Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
D.
Refuses=Rebellion
I Samuel 15:22-23
22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than
the fat of rams.
23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness
is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word
of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
When a child refuses to obey this is disobedience. They refuse
for different reasons but the attitude is the same. I do not
respect your advice, I know better, or I just want IT MY WAY.
This is rebellion.
In the section “How do we define obedience”, Saul was the
perfect example of partial obedience being labeled as
disobedience. Saul’s refusal to completely obey God was
considered open rebellion.
Another example of rebellion was Achan when he
stole items in battle (Joshua 7). Achan’s rebellion was a hidden
rebellion. He knew what he had done was a sin of disobedience
but he knew he had to hide the evidence to make sure he did not
get caught.
III. What is GOD’S response to obedience and
disobedience? A. Set Example
B. Covenant/ Gifts
C. Grieved
D. Angry
E. Consequences
A. Set Example
John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another.
In John 3:16 it states that God demonstrated His great love by
sending His son for our sins. He sets the example for loving one
another. God makes it easier for us to obey by showing us what
needs to be done. We can learn by His example. He is the type of
Father who shows the way. He not only set the example of love He
gave us a gift of love. He shows us how to be obedient to what
He wants us to do by setting the example.
God is the perfect example of integrity. God is not accountable to anyone. In
Malachi 3:6 it states "I the LORD do not change. So you, O
descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” The Israelites should
have been destroyed but because God had a covenant with Jacob
they were not destroyed. He did punish Israel but he has never
totally destroyed them. He is the perfect judge. Although we
will never understand why God does things the way He does, we
can always be assured He does it right every time and He does it
out of love.
B.
Covenant/Rewards
Genesis 9:
11-13
11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life
be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a
flood to destroy the earth."
12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making
between me and you and every living creature with you, a
covenant for all generations to come:
13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.
God made covenant relationships throughout the Bible. There are
similarities in these contracts or covenants with God. They all
had a physical reminder of the contractual agreement. The first
covenant was with Noah. God was grieved that He had made man.
After God sent His punishment to man through the flood, God made
a covenant with Noah to never flood the earth again and the sign
to remind God and man was the rainbow.
God made many other covenant contracts. Abraham had two
covenants with God. Prior to the first covenant, Abram had given
ten percent of everything he owned to Melchizedek to the priest
of God most High. God then appeared to him in a vision .The
first covenant was numerous children and the land of the Kenites,
Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites,
Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites
(Gen.
15:1-7, 18-21). In Abraham’s lifetime he never saw the
completion of all this land being given to his descendants.
However, he did see the birth of his son, Isaac.
The next covenant was a personal relationship commitment
(Gen
17:1-14). God was having fellowship with Abraham and
making an unbroken tie with his descendents and demonstrating
His care and love for Abraham. It was not based on material or
physical blessings like the first covenant but a spiritual and
emotional commitment. However, this covenant did have a physical
demonstration which was the act of circumcision.
Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son in obedience to God
(Gen
22:15-18). Then God gave a blessing to the earth for his
obedience. This was a very specific blessing for a very specific
act of obedience. Take note that God responds with extreme
kindness and generosity when we go above and beyond the duty He
has assigned for us.
God made other covenants. God made the terms of a covenant with
the children of Israel when they were out in the desert (Deut 29
& 30). He gave them instructions of the responsibility of this
covenant in which they eventually broke
(Jer.
11:10). The physical demonstration of this covenant was
obedience to the law.
Many years later David had thought about having a temple made
for God. David was given a covenant and God honored His
commitment to make David descendents by establishing David’s
kingdom forever
(I
Chron. 17:7-14) . Jesus came from the line of David. So
David was highly honored. Then Jeremiah stated that a new
covenant was coming because the old one for Israel had been
broken
(Jer. 31:31-33).
The new covenant in the New Testament is in
Luke
22:19-20. When Christ took the bread He said “do this in
remember of me” but when he took the cup He said “this cup is
the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”. God
wants you to remember His covenant that He now has with all of
us.
The rewards are discussed in “why do we obey”. It does not come
with the list of rewards listed in the Old Testament which
accompanied the old covenant made with the children of Israel in
the dessert. The rewards are all part of the new covenant we
have with God today.
C.
Grieved
Genesis 6:
6-7
6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth,
and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will
wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the
earth-men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground,
and birds of the air-for I am grieved that I have made them."
This was not the first time that God was grieved. God was
grieved after He made Saul the king of Israel
(I
Sam.15:10). Our creator was grieved over disobedience.
D. Angry
Joshua 7:1
1 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted
things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah,
of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord's anger
burned against Israel
God was angry about Israel’s disobedience.
E.
Consequences
Matthew 25:
46
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life.
The greatest punishment or consequence is separation from God.
Why do we obey?
A. Love
B. Rewards
C. Consequences
The children were
lined up in the cafeteria of a Christian elementary school for
lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The
principle made a note, and posted on the apple tray: “Take only
ONE God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at
the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip
cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is
watching the apples."
A.
Love
Mark 12:28-31
28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.
Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him,
"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O
Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is
no commandment greater than these."
Of the three reasons why we obey, this should be our greatest
motivation. In the book of Mark we are to love God first. The
best way we can show this love is through obedience. Obedience
is an act of service. This act of service is one of the five
love languages for God. In
John
14:15-31 Jesus says three times that if you love Him you
will obey Him. The fourth time He states that if you don’t love
Him you will not obey His teaching. Jesus finishes with this
final note in the chapter; he declares that He does what the
Father commands Him to do. He informs us that He is setting the
example that we should follow. Jesus loves the Father and shows
His love through obedience.
B.
Rewards
Deuteronomy 7:9
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the
faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand
generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
Covenants are discussed in more in detail in “What is God’s
response to obedience”
The
reward for our obedience is that God will give us another
counselor when Jesus asks Him
(John
14:15-21). The Spirit of truth will be in us. Jesus will
also show himself to us. This is an amazing reward. We have the
ability to establish a close, intimate, personal relationship
with God Almighty, His son Jesus, and the Spirit of truth.
C.
Consequences Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We don’t learn disobedience we
were born into a sinful nature. We deserve death but the gift of
God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.
IV.
Why do we disobey? A. Feelings
B. Peer Pressure
C. Greed
D. Good God
E. Atheist
A. Feelings
Jonah 4:1-3
1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.
2 He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I
was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to
Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God,
slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from
sending calamity.
3 Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die
than to live."
Remember the story of Jonah; he was a man who decided to ignore
God when he was told to talk to the people of Nineveh. He then
attempted to run away from God. Jonah felt nothing but contempt
for his enemies and that is why he did not want to obey God.
He was sure that God would be gracious, compassionate, slow to
anger and abounding in love therefore he did not want to obey
God the first time. His feelings were the reason he disobeyed.
However, eventually he did what God asked him to do.
Based on his feelings, He did not want the people of Nineveh to
change and he did not want God be good to them. Of course, God
does not change. Jonah was angry. He even told God to let him
die because his worse fear was realized. God showed his love
even to Jonah’s enemy.
B. Peer
Pressure
I Samuel 15:24
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the
LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people
and so I gave in to them.
Saul had a few episodes of
partial obedience which in God’s sight was disobedience. Saul’s
excuse was that he was afraid of the people. He always wanted
the people to approve of him. God came second. His priorities
were misaligned.
C. Greed
Joshua 7: 20-21
20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the
LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done:
21 when I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two
hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty
shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the
ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." Achan was the man who
stole items from the battle of Jericho. Achan knew that he was
not to do this. His greed overcame him and he disobeyed God for
material gain.
D. Good God John 3:16
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.
Some people don’t believe that God’s good nature would allow Him
to send people to hell. This misconception allows them to
disobey because they believe they suffer no ill effects from
their disobedience. They assume because God is love He could
never really punish anyone. This is a form of denial. God gave
us all a choice. If we don’t choose to love and obey Him, he
cannot force us to accept Him even if it is something good.
Although people may think their disobedience and denial will not
be punished, they are sadly mistaken. There are conditions to
love. The recipient must accept love or they don’t receive love.
This requires an action on the recipient’s part.
The best example of this is someone tries to hand you a gift.
Instead of receiving the gift you look at the gift. After you
look at the gift for a while, you say to the person “you are so
nice and kind” but still don’t accept the gift. The person
holding out this gift to you tries to tell you the benefits of
taking this gift. You believe this gift had benefits but still
refuse to take the gift. You walk away. Do you think you will
get the benefits of this gift? Of course not, you never accepted
or received the gift.
God gave His son to die for our sins. We need to accept this
gift with all its benefit which includes going to Heaven. But if
we do not accept this gift we cannot receive the benefits of
this gift. God will not force anyone to go Heaven against their
will. If you do not accept the gift of eternal life through
Jesus Christ, Then you will not have the gift and you will not
receive the benefits of God’s gift. That is your choice. Believe
God, obey God and accept His gifts.*
*to
know more about this gift of God read the section labeled “free
gift”
E. Atheists
Psalms 14:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt,
their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Atheists do not believe in God. If a person doesn’t believe in
God, they have not reason to obey God. In
Romans 1:18-23 God states that man is without excuse because
He has made it plain to them (unbelievers) that He exists. This
is the opposite of the good God theorist. They believe that God
could not possibly exist so they do not have to obey.
Here is a story that is very
relevant for this discussion.
A man went to a
barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good
conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber
said:
"I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have
to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these
things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he
didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street
with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and
entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because
if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and
untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do
not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too,
DOES exist!
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look
to Him for help.
That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
V. When do we learn obedience?
Hebrews 5:7-9
7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up
prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who
could save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverent submission.
8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he
suffered
9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey him
Luke 22:39-44
39Jesus went out
as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
40On reaching the
place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into
temptation."
41He withdrew
about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
42"Father, if
you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but
yours be done."
43An angel from
heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
44And being in
anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops
of blood falling to the ground.
Jesus was suffering prior to his death. He was in anguish. He
learned obedience to God’s will. As a human being, Jesus did not
want to do die on the cross but because He was God’s son He
wanted to do the will of His father. Jesus’ physical needs and
desires were not important when it came to God’s will. We are
God’s children, we must learn obedience when it is difficult to
understand or even when it is painful. If God did not save Jesus
when He prayed to be delivered, we should not expect God to save
us when it is not His will.
Jesus’ prayer was denied. How many times in your life have you
asked God for something and He has not done it? Don’t ever feel
betrayed or unloved because He did this to Jesus, His beloved
son. God loves us and always wants the best for us. Our prayers
must be denied when it is not in God’s designed plan. God always
wants us to do the right thing but you must remember God sets
the example and He will also always do the right thing even if
it is not what we want or desire. God has His reasons and He is
not accountable to any of us but we are accountable to Him.
Have you ever felt that you had done your duty and you did not
deserve what was happening to you? Job felt that way because he
had always done his duty but life was difficult. He did not
understand. The most important thing to remember is just because
life is unpleasant God has His reasons. We all assume that if
things are not going well that we are being punished and that is
not true. Neither Jesus nor Job were being punished for their
actions. They were being tested. They learned obedience from
suffering just as we learn obedience through suffering. God must
always be glorified and He is sovereign.
V. When do we learn disobedience?
Romans 7:17-19
17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin
living in me.
18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful
nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot
carry it out.
19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do
not want to do—this I keep on doing.
The answer to
that question is we never learn disobedience. This is not a
learned behavior. We were born with a sin nature. We know how to
disobey. Our job is to learn to obey.
VI. Who do we obey?
A.
God
In
Acts 5:17-32 it shows “a sphere of jurisdiction;
especially: an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion”
according to Webster’s Dictionary (2007). The High priest and
his associates had jurisdiction over the temple and they
demanded obedience. Out of jealousy, they told Peter and the
apostle they were not to teach about Jesus to the masses. The
High Priest and his associates then threw Peter and his
associates in prison. The next day the High Priest assembled
together the Sanhedrin- and the full assembly of the elders of
Israel. Peter and the apostles came before the most important
people in Israel. Peter made it clear that day they would obey
God rather than man. This response would eventually lead to
their death. This sphere of jurisdiction did not want anyone to
preach and teach about Jesus. This also shows that God always
comes first.
A pastor and his wife asked me to help
with a special social event taking place at church. After going
to the first meeting I realized immediately I was not to help
with this event. I informed that pastor’s wife of my decision
not to assist and told her that I felt God did not want me to do
this event. The pastor and his wife continued to ask me to come
and help. After going to two more meetings, I finally told my
husband I am not going to do this because I know God does not
want me to assist.
I had promised to do things for this event
and my husband said that he would finish them because we needed
to be people of integrity. My husband knows that I am a woman of
integrity but I had to stop because God had told me not to do
this.
That night at the prayer meeting they were
to have a meeting on this event for just a few minutes before
the prayer meeting in which I planned to go into the other room.
Instead they used the whole time to discuss the social event.
That night we found out it was taking place on a Sunday. My
husband immediately knew why we were not allowed to help with
this event. Sunday is a holy day. Read “Remember the Sabbath
day” it specifically outlines our concerns and responsibilities.
The pastor was aware of our obedience to
God’s law about the Sabbath. I told the pastor we could not
help. He said well just show up this coming Sunday for another
meeting and we could discuss it.
We thought about it. We both decided to
not go to that church again. The temptation to please people was
greater than our desire to please God. I went into a fast and
begged for forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ. I was
wrong. I knew from the beginning but in a desire to please
others I continued attending the meetings. If you consider this
to be trivial, please ask God to show you the true significance
of this event. It is the perfect example of disobedience. It was
a sin. I had an excuse which was worthless because before God
there was no excuse. I did the wrong thing. I sinned.
You might think I did not need to quit but
I knew that the temptation was too great for me. They were
influencing me to do wrong and I was too willing. Do you think
God holds them accountable for there disregard for my personal
conviction which I felt had come from God? Since I am not the
judge and don’t want the position, I do not know. All I can tell
you is to please remember that you go to God alone. You can
blame anyone you choose but I guarantee it won’t make a
difference. God holds you accountable for what YOU SHOULD DO.
The verses I have found included a partial job description. We
are discussing who we are to obey. Although we will make mention
of job responsibilities, this is mostly who we need to respect
in order of priority. In the military, this is called the chain
of command. God has put people in our lives who we must give an
account. Always Remember God is on top and must always come
first.
B . Home
1. Children- in the home children are to obey their parent or
parents.
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment
with a promise¬
3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life
on the earth."
These verses say we are to obey our parents. In Ephesians it
reminds us this is also a commandment that comes with a promise.
It also includes a job description for a child which is to honor
their parents.
One day a little
girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the
kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several
strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette
head.She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are
some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something
wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and
then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
B.
Home
2. Wives-must submit to husband
Eph 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head
of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should
submit to their husbands in everything.
In the personal
example above, hopefully you noticed I did not submit to my
husband. I knew that God had told me not to do this event. I had
to obey God first. Please note that my husband came to this same
realization when he went to the first meeting. He knew that we
were not to assist or attend.
I Peter
3:1-6 give the reasons why we need to have a submissive
attitude. It also emphasis the importance of character over
beauty. In
Titus 2:5 this gives a job description for wives.
B.
Home
3. Husbands Ephesians 5:21
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:3
3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is
Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ
is God. The first verse in Ephesians applies to all of us. The next
verse in I Corinthians described the order of obedience within
the home.
C. Church
1. Pastors/Shepard Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of
God, which he bought with his own blood.
Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as
God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
1. Pastors/ Shepherd (often referred to as overseers) - these
references have included a job description. “Overseers” give
them a position of authority. Although the members are not told
to obey them the pastor/overseer, the pastor/overseer must lead
the flock which requires obedience for the job to be done
correctly.
The qualifications for this job are mentioned in
Titus
1:7-9 . The pastor must be blameless, not overbearing, not
quick tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not
pursing dishonest gain. He must be hospitable, love good, self
controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold to a
trustworthy message, encourage others with sound doctrine and
refute those who oppose it.
In
Timothy 3:1-7 , there a few more qualifications for this
job. He must only have one wife, able to teach, able to manage
family, not a new convert, and good reputation with outsiders.
Although this gives a detailed job description, look at the
inference to management. This places the overseer in a
management position within the church.
C. Church
2. Elders Acts 16:4-5
4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the
decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for
the people to obey.
5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily
in numbers.
In the first churches when the Gentiles were being added to the
church, there was a problem. The problem was circumcision and
whether or not it must be required for all members of the church
along with obedience to the Law of Moses. Acts 15 shows the
discussions that they had over this matter in Jerusalem. The
apostles and the elders in Jerusalem met and discussed the
matter and the outcome of their meeting is recorded in
Acts
15:23-29. A letter was drafted and sent town to town for the
people to obey. It plainly shows that elders had a position of
authority and that their decisions affected the church. They
displayed jurisdiction over the churches.
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in Lystra, Iconium, and
Antioch, according to
Acts
14:21-23 . They committed these elders to the Lord with
prayer and fasting. This shows that churches were appointing
elders in positions of authority. Paul gave Titus this
responsibility in Crete. He also discusses with Titus the
requirements for an elder which are blameless, husband to one
wife, children who believe and not wild and disobedient
(Titus
1:5-6) .
C. Church
3. Deacons
Philippians 1:1
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints
in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and
deacons:
This is just a salutation that includes the saints (members) and
overseers and deacons which are the leaders. Paul and Timothy
made an effort to include everyone in the church so the
salutation includes the saint along with its leadership.
I
Timothy 3:8-15 it describes the requirement for being a
deacon. They are the same as an overseer or pastor with just a
few exceptions. Their wives must be worthy of respect, not
malicious talkers, temperate and trustworthy in everything.
In the churches that I have attended deacons were the ones who
helped the community. In
Acts 6: 1-6
the church elected seven men full of the spirit to
distribute food among the widows in the church. The disciples
had the position of teaching and preaching the word of God and
spreading the good news and Jesus Christ and they appointed men
to take over the daily activities of running the church to
include the “food bank”. They were not given a title according
to that scripture but they were given authority. In the churches
that I have attended, these men have been given the title of
deacon.
C.
Church 4. Spiritual Leaders
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 It was He, who gave some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and
teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the
body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure
of the fullness of Christ.
These verses do not denote authority but they do establish a
variety of appointed positions. The responsibilities of these
positions are to prepare the people of God for works of service.
Also, these spiritual leaders are to build up the body of
Christ. This covers Paul’s job and the other apostles. It is
safe to assume if you are assigned a position within the church
you have authority. These are outlined within the framework of
each and every church. Paul most describes the qualifications
for these jobs.
D.
Jobs
1. Employees
Colossians 3:22-24
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it,
not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but
with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for men,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We are not slaves but we are employees.
Most of us have a job and we have certain responsibilities.
Although we are not owned by our employer, we do receive
compensation for our service. In Colossians, it says we need to
obey and to do the right thing even if they are not looking. Our
job is to be done with sincerity of heart and reverence for God.
God promises an inheritance as a reward.
I Peter
2:18-23 tells us we must submit even if your master is
harsh. If you suffer for doing good it is commendable before
God.
Titus 2:9-10 says we are not to talk back or steal from our
employer, and to be fully trusted to make God our savior look
attractive. The last scripture on this subject is
Ephesians
6:5-8. It states that the Lord will reward everyone for
whatever good they do whether slave or free.
D.
Jobs
2. Employers
Ephesians 6:9
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master
and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Colossians 4:1
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,
because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
If you are the boss, remember that you have a master in heaven,
so be fair.
E.
Government
1. Laws
Romans 13:7
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;
if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor,
then honor.
So we must obey the laws. We have to pay taxes and
revenues. Also, Christ stated that "Give to Caesar what is
Caesar's, and to God what is God's." in Romans, it also states
we need to give honor and respect.
E. Government
2. Leaders
Romans 13:1-7
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling
against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring
judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for
those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one
in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong,
be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is
God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not
only because of possible punishment but also because of
conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's
servants, who give their full time to governing.
Titus 3:1
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to
be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
I Peter
2:13-17
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority
instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme
authority,
14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do
wrong and to commend those who do right.
15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence
the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up
for evil; live as servants of God.
17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of
believers, fear God, honor the king.
Hebrews
13:17
17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep
watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so
that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be
of no advantage to you.
This final
verse sums up the whole section. Everyone that is over us is a
leader so submit to their authority.
These verses
show that we need to obey governing authorities because of our
conscience and because of possible punishment from God. God has
placed those governing authorities in place.
VI. Who do we disobey?
A. Satan
B. Home
C. Church
D. Job
E. Laws
F. Leaders
This information will not give specific instances that go
against the will of God. Personal accountability must rule the
decision to disobey. Hopefully the previous information will
give cause for concern when making a decision to disobey.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
A. Knows in heart
B. Instant or complete obedience
D.
Refuses=Rebellion
C.
A.
Love
B.
Rewards
C. Greed
A.
God
B.
Home
B.
Home
C.
Church
D.
Jobs
D.
Jobs
E.
Government
