Trust & Obey

Trust & Obey

by Ro Lashua

Obedience is not a "four letter word," it does not destroy little minds. On the contrary, it gives direction and focus to those who wish to learn. It has been a long time cultural standard within the Chinese culture for children to obey those in authority over them, such as their parents, their teachers, their employers, etc. However, this culture is having a paradigm shift with the insurgence of modernization and the issues being brought to the culture (Fong, March 2007).

Psalms 1:1 - Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers (Life Applications Bible, 1997).

In the Life Applications Bible Insights on Psalms 1:1 it is stated that "God doesn’t judge people on the basis of race, sex, or national origin. He judges them on the basis of their faith in him and their response to his revealed will. Those who diligently try to obey God’s will are blessed. They are like healthy, fruit-bearing trees planted along a riverbank with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:7, 8), and God promises to watch over them. God’s wisdom guides their lives. In contrast, those who don’t trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. There are only two paths of life before us—God’s way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction. Be sure to choose God’s path, because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity" (1997).

In Romans 2:13 God says: "For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God’s approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God’s sight" (Life Applications Bible).

How many people know about the 10 Commandments? Many.

How many people can recite them? Not nearly as many.

However, just knowing them, even being able to recite them is not enough, we MUST OBEY them.

Obeying the law of God is very important.

In Mark 10:17- 20 When Jesus was asked by the rich man what he should do to get eternal life, he was reminded of the 10 Commandments. The man said, I have kept them from my youth.

Then Jesus gave an instruction, which seems to be the next step after obeying the commandments, or perhaps a result of obeying.

Mark 10:19-22 But as for your question, you know the commandments: ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Do not cheat. Honor your father and mother." 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a child.” 21 Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22At this, the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions.

There is a natural progression from trusting and obeying, we must be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus.

We must trust God, to trust we must believe. Then we must obey, obey the law, the 10 Commandments. We must be totally committed to following Jesus. Then we can get to know Jesus and He will know us.

If we can not obey we are missing the point. If we can not obey the law of God and let it affect us then we are missing ..... Jesus.

References

Vanessa L Fong. Ethos. Berkeley: Mar 2007.Vol.35, Iss. 1; pg. 85, 43 pgs

Life Applications Bible, 1997, Parsons Technology Inc. Bible Program.