Obedience

Obedience

The words in Rev. 2:2-5, in which the angel of the church in Ephesus was given the following message from Jesus, are serious: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” We need to test our own lives in accordance with these words again and again. They can bring a continual re-assessment of my life as a Christian and of my fear of God. The basis and foundation of my Christian life is, and must be, love for God and a fear of God! Everything stems from that! It brings my life into proper focus, and it creates a cry and longing in my heart that I may walk worthy of God and be pleasing to Him and obedient in all things.

There is great danger at hand if this is not in order. We will deviate from the first and greatest commandment, which is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matt. 22:37. It could be said that nothing is in order if this is not in order. Our works will not be found perfect before God. On the other hand, it could be said that once this is in order, it’s only a matter of time before everything else falls into place and is put in order. If we are unfaithful here, we may very well be able to say like the rich young ruler: “All these things I have kept from my youth.” Matt. 19:20. But the first and most important commandment of all has still not been kept. When life’s circumstances arise and we have to make a choice, we can easily end up like the rich young ruler who went away sorrowful. V. 22. We don’t love God highly enough so that we are willing to suffer whatever it takes and sacrifice whatever is necessary to follow Him.

This is how it is to be in our personal lives, and this is how it is to be in our homes and in the church. Things can be well organized and orderly in every way, but if the first love is lost, or becomes cold in those who are responsible, then there is a great risk that the very foundation is lacking.

Johan O. Smith writes in Skjulte Skatter, May/June 1929: “Faithfulness to God’s voice in the depths of our heart is the divine artery that brings strength and light to God’s church. Unfaithfulness to this voice will bring death and destruction.”

Saul was an outstanding man to begin with! He was humble and devoted to God. But as time went by, he rejected God and God’s word—he did this to gain the honor and recognition of people! 1 Sam. 15:30. So God had to send the same prophet who had previously anointed him to be king, with the following sad message: “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you.” V. 23. This would not have happened if he had loved God! It was completely different for Abraham, and he has become a shining example for all generations! God tested him when He told him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Gen. 22:2. Many thoughts must have come up in Abraham’s heart, but he arose early the next day. After a three days’ journey, he arrived at the place where he was to give the sacrifice. He was obedient to the utmost, and God called out from heaven: “Now I know that you fear God!” V. 12. And He says further: “Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants . . . In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” V. 17-18.

That’s how highly valued having love for God and obedience are!