Using Scripture to be Obedient

In the last post we said we have to know God's commands well enough so that they are the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions:

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Memorize scripture and then apply those verses. For example when tempted to lie, remember Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
When tempted to steal – Ephesians 4:28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

There are hundreds of verses that speak to very specific sins or decisions.

For the unspecific decisions we have to make, he suggests asking 4 questions based on 3 verses in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

Ask: Is it helpful; physically, spiritually and mentally? For example you can apply this to TV programs you watch. (We have the right to watch anything, but is it beneficial?)

Again from 1 Corinthians 6:12 – Does it bring me under its power. You can apply this to drinking, smoking, drugs, too much shopping (!) Sometimes it’s not the activity itself, but that we make it all important – our idol.

1 Corinthians 8:13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

Ask, does it hurt others?

1 Corinthians 10:31 ask, does it glorify God?

And if all of that is hard to remember, just ask, “What would Jesus do?”

God wants Obedience – Not Victory!

Continuing my lesson from the book The Pursuit of Holiness:

The last section emphasized the work of the spirit. This one looks at our responsibility.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

We are to do something. We are to put to death the misdeeds of the body. We are not to “stop trying and start trusting”; we are commanded to assume our responsibility for a holy walk.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Let us throw off sin. Let us run with perseverance.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Peter 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

We do this by relying on the spirit. By being obedient to His nudges to scripture. The author says that Christians are never “defeated” by sin. They are just disobedient. We are responsible for our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

When giving instruction for future kings of Israel, God said that a copy of His law was, (Deuteronomy 17:19) to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees

The king was to read God’s law “all the days of His life.” Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” (that’s from John 14:21)

Obedience is the pathway to holiness. But we have to have his commands. We have to read the Bible enough to know them well so they can be a dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions.

From Billy Graham’s “The Key to Personal Peace”

Jesus said, “I come to give life – life in all its fullness.” (John 10: 10)

I always told Christ I’m waiting for the abundant life He promised. But, Billy wrote something about this, which was huge – “Christ promises that if we live according to His guidelines for happiness, life will be better right now.” I can’t expect an abundant life unless I am following His commands!

When faced with a choice, choose what will bring you closer to God.

Lord, in the years I have left, I yield them to Your hand. Take me, make me, mold me, to the pattern You have planned!