The Answer 10

The principle of obedience is revealed in four ways:

Through nature

Through our created likeness and image of God

Through the work of Christ

Through a personal call from God

The third principle of obedience is revealed through the work of Christ.

1 Peter 1:13-16

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

V14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.

V15 But as He which hat called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, (lifestyle).

V16 Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.”

This is just one verse revealing the truth about Christ, through the written Word, holds within in it the power of God.  And obedience to the written Word of God is commanded.

Obedience is a real turn-off to a society of free agents;

Those who have been duped by:

Secular teachers

The media

Hollywood

The government and world religions

The message most often heard from these sources is that you can do it alone.

The premise of this kind of thinking is:

•          After I have control of every area of my life I will consider obedience to God.

•          After I have secured the lifestyle of my choice then I will consider obedience.

•          After I have fulfilled my career goals I will consider obedience.

The truth is that sometimes you wait too long to respond to what God is showing you for it to be of any efficacy.  By waiting you relinquish now the blessings that could be yours later.  If you think you can do it without the work of Christ, you are mistaken?

You think you can have the blessings of God without considering the work of Christ.

Even though the work of Christ is intervening in you, by the Holy Spirit, you can still find reasons why not to obey. 

God knows best, and God created everything to comply with His premise that obedience to His will is the best case scenario for living out life.  You can live out life without regard for the work of Christ in you, but “what a waste.”  Not only do you waste your time here, but the damage goes from one generation to another, until there is no recollection left of Christ or his ways and man is left to serve himself. That is not much of an epitaph. 

Excerpt from The Answer by Keith C. Powell copyright 2016