Introduction
It is very important at this time to talk about obedience to the Almighty God and Jesus Christ, the creator of all things in heaven and earth.
I start this article with John 1.1. In the beginning, was the word, the word was with God and the word was God.
1.
Interestingly, the very word that was God became flesh in John verse 1. 14. This same word created all things on this planet earth. Genesis 1.1-31.
This word is God who wrote the Ten Commandments and told Moses to put these commandments inside the mercy seat in the Tabernacle with the manna and Aaron’s rod that budded and gave us His feasts days in Leviticus chapter 23.1-44.
Even though the Israelites were told to offer sacrifices in those days sacrifices typically were a shadow of the atoning sacrifices of Jesus Christ‘s death for our sins. But the word that God wrote on the table of stone were Gods words which denotes God Himself.
The words God told Moses about His Sabbath, His feasts days are God Himself. And in the book of Exodus 12 and 13, God told Moses about His new year that are also God’s word which are God Himself, written or verbal. God’s words are always and till eternity are God. There were sacrifices during the observance of this Gods word at the time of the Israelis.
But when Jesus Christ came and offered Himself as the lamb of sacrifices, all the ordinances were nailed to the cross because they were just the shadow of the blood of Jesus Christ. Now the words that Gold Moses written or verbally were never nailed to the cross because they were God Himself.
2.
Now if every word of God is GOD, how can we say that the feasts of God, His commandments and His new year have been nailed to the cross . CAN WE NAIL GOD TO CROSS? God forbid in unlimited times. And the same God whose word is Himself said that if you love me obey my commandments, His feast days without animal sacrifices or any rituals.
His New Years and His Sabbath which God used as sign of separation from the evil world that Satan rules. To take all believers in Christ Jesus from the evil of the world. Jesus Christ Himself said in the gospel of John chapter 17 . 14, 15, and 16 thus
14. I have given them thy word: and the world hath hated them; because they are not of the world. even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
These verses are the authentic words of Jesus Christ that actually separated us from the world according to the words of God regarding His feasts days, His Sabbath and His new year which are faith and works of faith which believers have neglected for this so many years.
3.
Obeying every word of God is works of faith in Jesus Christ. James 2.1 -26.
1 My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
4.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
5.
To the true believers in Jesus Christ, from verse one this epistle of James, that talks about respect to person equally in the house of God, this is warning to all the churches regarding obedience to every word of God written or verbally.
Every word of God is God, John 1.1. If this so, how can we as believers knowingly showing our disobedience God the “WORD” in dissecting to some of His written words in the His feasts days and His commandments, which God had used as a “set apart” or “division” or “a mark of distinction”, to separate us from the wicked world that Satan rules. John 17. 15.
The feasts and the commandments of God for works of faith to make us stronger and live godly lives in Christ Jesus. Why saying then that they are only for the Jews. We Gentiles believers in Jesus Christ go the word of God from the Jews. John 17. 20.
This showed that we Gentiles believers in the houses of God have respect to some of God’s words and disrespect to some . We have divided the house that Jesus Christ built as His body into two man-made divisions, this should never be so my fellow believers in Jesus Christ.
According to the gospel of John chapter 17.14, 15, 16. There is only one body of Jesus Christ comprising Jews believers in Christ Jesus and Gentiles believers in Christ Jesus Faith is to believe every word of God written or verbally.
6.
Many are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many people do now. No wonder, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ’s righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith.
A bare profession may gain the good opinion of pious people; and it may procure, in some cases, worldly good things; but what profit will it be, for any to gain the whole world, and to lose their souls? Can this faith save him? All things should be accounted profitable or unprofitable to us, as they tend to forward or hinder the salvation of our souls.
This in the Scripture plainly shows that an opinion, or assent to the gospel, without works, is not faith. There is no way to show we really believe in Christ, but by being diligent in good works, from gospel motives, and for gospel purposes.
Men may boast to others, and be conceited of that which they really have not. There is not only to be assent in faith, but consent; not only an assent to the truth of the word, but a consent to take Christ.
7.
True believing is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart. This showed that a justifying faith cannot be without works of faith, is shown from two examples, Abraham and Rahab of Jericho.
Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Faith, producing such works, advanced him to peculiar favours. We see then, how that by works a man is justified, not by a bare opinion or profession, or believing without obeying; but by having such faith as produces good works. And to have to deny his own reason, affections, and interests, is an action fit to try a believer.
Observe here, the wonderful power of faith in changing sinners. Rahab’s conduct proved her faith to be living, or having power; it showed that she believed with her heart, when she believed the words of the two spies and not merely by an assent of the understanding.
Let us then take heed, for the best works, without faith, are dead; they want root and principle. By faith any thing we do is really good; as done in obedience to God, and aiming at his acceptance: the root is as though it were dead, when there is no fruit. Faith is the root of salvation , good works are the fruits of salvation; and it is vital that we have both for out salvation.
8.
This is actually the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it by all means. There is no middle ground. Every believer must either live as God’s friend, or as God’s enemy. But living to God, it is the consequence of faith, that justifies and will save us, We are not to do anything against the Almighty and most powerful God, but all good things for Him till eternity.
I cannot do this until I make all believers in Jesus Christ see the importance of obeying God.
Starting from Adam and our mother Eve who in the garden of Eden disobeyed the commandment of God, the first ever recorded person to sin against God through disobedience, the result brought sin upon the human race; thanks be to Jesus Christ, who shed his precious blood to redeem us.
Adam and Eve were cast out from the beautiful garden and have to work for their living. Remember the Israelites in the wilderness, how disobedience made them to work through the wilderness for forty years instead of forty days.
Remember the Saul, the first king of Israel who through disobedience lost his Throne. And 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 the fat of rams.
9.
For 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.
Remember the Israelites were ruled by different kings because of disobedience.
Read 1st Samuel 15. Remember the man of God Prophet who disobeyed God’s word, he was destroyed . 1King 13.
There is also a song about obedience. A song of obedience to God Almighty.
TRUST AND OBEY
When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way,
While we do His good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey!
For their ’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise
Not a cloud in the skies
But His smiles quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey
Not a burden we bear
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss
Not a frown nor a cross
But is blest if we trust and obey;
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for those who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet,
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
10.
THE OBJECTS OF CHRIST’S TEACHINGS REGARDING OBEDIENCE.
understand His creative works as our creator.
11.
order to conform to His free of all worldliness and hustles of this wicked world.
Conclusion:
12.
