This generation of believers has an extreme aversion to commandments and discipline. Any instruction that tells us what to do, or tells us that we are wrong, is seen as controlling, confining or condemning.
This is a mindset that must be overcome, if we are to follow the Master.
The modern day church would have you believe that our God is a relational God, and that is True. We are told to express our love for God by “Walking in the Spirit”, “Talking to God” and “Worship”. But somehow, obedience to His written Word is rarely emphasized in today’s sermons ….. after all, you have to keep the tithers happy.
If we dig into the Word (both Old and New Testament), we find that our obedience to the commandments of God are THE SIGN of our love for Him.
1John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”John 15:14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
Sounds kinda “legalistic”, doesn’t it? Here’s a little something to chew on for awhile, and it may offend some:
- What do YOU think John was referring to when He talked about obeying His commandments? Remember, there was NO New Testament back then.
- What commandments did Jesus teach?
- Did Jesus teach different commandments than what God laid out in the Old Testament?
We are definitely saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus, but if our lives don’t exhibit an obedience to the written Word … what does that say about our salvation?
Selah.
For the Love of the Search,
Kevin Kleint
Email: kevin@honorofkings.org
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Hey Kevin, I think this was the post I had the most trouble with—-but not at first glance mind you. It’s just that when I read words like “let” “allow” etc. it seems to be putting a limit of God’s grace by making us the masters of our own destiny if we only “let” or “allow” God to do something. Our will is limited but His is sovereign and unlimited, He doesn’t ask permission to do anything, He just does it—-why? because He loves us enough to divinely intervene, even when we are most resistant.
Hi Godlee4life and welcome!
Our Sovereign God has limited Himself by His Holy Word. In Psalms, it says
Psalm 138:2 “I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. ”
A person’s (or in this case “God’s”) name was not just a label, but it was the reputation, the integrity, basically everything about that name. God exalts His Word ABOVE that … not to mention, He can’t lie. If He were to go against His Word, He would be a liar.
And He DOES intervene when He deems fit, I’m with you there. But He will never do anything contrary to His Word.
Now that I’m re-going over the article, I’m not really seeing the “let” or “allow” that you are referring to … could you specify the offending statement?
I’m sorry Kevin, I commented on the wrong post. I think I was thinking of the one on the Reign of Grace– or Athiests sometimes make more sense—-I’ve been under the weather this week so bear with me. On this post I would have to agree with Mkayla. I enjoyed this post and you’re right—-if we don’t love His commandments, how can we say we are His. Thanks for this.
Kevin, that is a very important point that many are missing out on today. I’ve seen it too, and it as tho they believe all that they do or wrongly teach is excused because of of love, love, love. It is very true, if we love the Lord, we do as He says. And the only way to find that out, is thru His word, which also is being missed, its study ignored. I fear for what is to come of them all.
Thanks!
Absolutely and AMEN, great word. It really speaks loudly about the times we live in, when you have to point out that some will be offended by the Word and I never thought in a million years that I would ever be considered legalistic but in today’s spiritually corrupt atmosphere and thinking, that’s what most who are standing against this are called…..among a whole list of other names. Thank you and God bless your continued work.
Yes if you preach that folks must be righteous and that they not overlook sin many will see you a legalist. But Jesus preached it and so did Paul, Peter, and all the others.
Personal holiness does matter as much as faith does.
It is sad but painfully true that a simple exhortation to embrace the Word of God in the context of how we worship could be met with negativity within the church and modern day ministry.
It reminds me of the dad or parent that tries to put a new bike or swing set together but refuses to even look at the directions let alone follow them.
The thing I have been challenging people with for the last twenty years is that Jesus said signs would follow to confirm the preaching of the Word!
The focal point of authentic worship is always God not self.
Seems the focal point is the signs.