Scripture
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" -James 1:22
The Lord is so enigmatic in that He's mysterious, but yet He's obtainable through His word. The more we learn about Him and His kingdom, the more there is to learn. When I came to this understanding, the realization was a bit daunting. The deeper your relationship with Him, the more of Himself He reveals. It is tempting to get complacent in our knowledge of Him and His ways. We figure what we know is all there is to know, but when we realize the vast potential of revelation, it can be humbling. I once lamented what I didn't know and the Holy Spirit said to me, "Daughter, one day you will have the knowledge. What then will you do with it?" My journey with Him took me deeper in the knowledge of God and His ways then I heard the Spirit say, "Daughter, knowledge does not mean application." What He meant was, now that you have more knowledge of the ways of God, it is vital to apply what I've learned to my life and situations I face.
Beloved, it's not enough to just know the commands and precepts of God, but we must walk in total obedience to them. God is wise and all knowing and His word supplies us with the blueprints to living a victorious life in Him. The Lord has called us to a lifestyle of obedience. An obedient lifestyle is a demonstration of our love for Him. "If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15). It also serves as evidence of true faith in Him, especially when we are facing difficult times. We choose to trust Him and apply His word to our lives instead of relying on our own strength. Obedience to the Lord deepens your relationship with Him. We are encouraged to trust the Lord throughout scripture, but there is reciprocity here. God needs to be able to trust us as well. In order to receive more, He has to trust us to give us more. Not just blessings, but revelation of His heart.
So, what are some benefits of a life of total obedience? Walking in obedience unlocks God's promises and provision for your life. It releases His peace in our lives amid challenging times because our lives are aligned to His will. Obedience to God opens the door to divine direction and we gain wisdom for daily decisions. We can face life's obstacles with confidence and an assurance of hope. We can trust that God is working things for our good. Finally, a life of obedience brings spiritual growth and develops our character. Not only is God concerned with our growth, but He's concerned about the type of people we are becoming. Obedience means nothing if you're not transformed into the image of Christ. Beloved, be intentional about following and obeying the commands of God in your life today.
Prayer
Father, keep us from deceiving ourselves by simply listening, and instead, give us the courage and wisdom to put what we learn into action in our daily life. In Jesus' name, Amen
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