Obedience and consequences of disobedience. Two New Testament passages telling us how to follow God, how to obey his commands, how to live as He intends us. Two Old Testament passages telling us of ruin that resulted from not following Gods commands, from not doing as God said.
James gives us instruction on obedience. He tells us how important it is to do what God tells us to do.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks life. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22-25)
John the Baptist, in Luke 3, instructs the people on how to turn to the Lord and follow Him once more.
“’What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’” Luke 3:10-11
An account of consequence is given in 1 Chronicles 3. Uzzah would have known the rules for moving the ark and he knew the consequence for disobeying the rules.
“When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.” (1 Chronicles 13:9-10)
In Amos 8, a statement of consequence is provided. The Israelites have disobeyed the Lord’s commands and He announces the consequences.
Obedience and disobedience. Following and turning away. As I contemplate the relationships between these, I am reminded that obedience to the Lord does not guarantee a perfect life and bad things happen to even those who are most obedient. It’s a fallen world. Yet I strive to obey God to please Him, to experience a strong relationship with Him and to love Him.
Thank you Lord, for providing the Bible, a written reminder, a constant source to help me follow You. I fall so short of Your intentions for me by not fully obeying your instructions. Thank You for Your infinite Grace and never-ending Mercy. Help me to obey Your words so that I can live fully in Your blessing. Amen
Diona
Sixty-six books in a year 