Why Do We Obey God?

Man sitting and thinking with the Bible

Sadly, most people in the world do not recognize God. Therefore, it is unsurprising that they do not obey Him. Yet for those who claim to be Christians, obedience ought to be a way of life. But why should we live a life of obedience? 

The New Testament clearly indicates that we do not obey God in order to earn our salvation. Because all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), the only thing we have earned is eternal punishment (Romans 6:23). Jesus said, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Luke 17:10). Even if we could perfectly carry out every command the Lord has given, we are still “unworthy slaves” who are dependent upon the grace of God.

At the same time, Jesus implied in the statement above that His people would obey Him (“when” – not IF – “you do all the things which are commanded…”). When He commissioned His apostles to go out and make disciples, they were to teach them “to observe all that I commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Obedience is expected of those who would be Jesus’ disciples.

That brings us back to our question: Why do we obey God? There are a few reasons presented to us in the Scriptures:Continue Reading

Characteristics of Love

1 Corinthians 13, Love

Near the end of his first letter to Corinth, Paul told the brethren, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). However, he did not leave them in the dark as to what it meant to do things “in love.” He defined this earlier in the same letter when he described the characteristics of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). They were to walk in love as he described it to them.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

We need to be reminded of these characteristics as well. The world tries to define love in such a way that it includes tolerating sin and encouraging others in their choices that are contrary to the will of God. Let us briefly notice these characteristics so we know how to walk in love.Continue Reading

The Seven Churches (Part 1): Ephesus

The Seven Churches (Part 1): Ephesus

The first of the seven churches addressed by the Lord in the book of Revelation was located in Ephesus. The New Testament tells us more about this church and the city in which it was located than any of the other churches of Revelation. This letter teaches us the importance of doing what is right for the right reason.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God’” (Revelation 2:1-7).

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Members One of Another

Group Praying

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:3-5).

Paul told the saints in Rome they were “members one of another.” They were part of the same body; therefore, they were to act in a certain way toward one another.

The same is true for us today. As we are members of the Lord’s church – particularly members of a local congregation – certain responsibilities come with that. In order to help us learn how to treat our brethren and fellow members of the body of Christ, we are going to consider what Paul told the Christians in Rome about their treatment of “one another.”Continue Reading

Love Perfected

Love

No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:12).

John spent much of his first epistle writing on the topic of love. One of the ideas he discussed was about love being perfected. To be perfected means to be completed, accomplished, or fulfilled (Strong’s).

What does perfect love look like? Let us notice four points made by John in his epistle.Continue Reading

A New and Living Way

Garden path

Throughout the book of Hebrews, a comparison is made between the new covenant and the old covenant. In every way, the new covenant in Christ is far superior to the old covenant. Because the new way is better, we should respond to it in a certain way. Notice what the author of Hebrews wrote:

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us…” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Following that statement, the Hebrew said, “Let us” do certain things. In the subsequent verses, we find three things we are to do now that we are a part of the “new and living way” in Christ. In this article, we will consider each of these.Continue Reading

When We Disagree

Two Men Having an Argument

In our polarized world, disagreements are more pronounced, arguments are more public, and differences seem to be irreconcilable. Though we may immediately think of this in the context of social and political issues, it can also be true in matters of religion.

In reality though, there have always been disagreements on matters pertaining to faith. Some believe there is a God; others believe there is no God. Some believe that Jesus is the Son of God; others believe Jesus was only a prophet, teacher, or wise rabbi. The “Christian” world is filled with different ideas regarding salvation, sin, worship, the church, morality, and more – too many topics to list. Disagreements on such matters will always be present.

In this article, we will primarily be discussing disagreements between those who believe in Christ and recognize the Bible as the word of God.

If you and I disagree on some point pertaining to religious matters, there are four possibilities:Continue Reading