“Obedience”… to the ‘revealed’ Holy Word of God, is the “Key!” Here in America a land of plenty; it cost little to follow Christ. In some ‘European’ and ‘Middle Eastern’ countries; often times a funeral by one’s family is celebrated = after you are kicked out. The cost of Following and Obeying Christ and ‘His Word’; is only realized by the “Real = Disciple of Christ”. Many who claim to follow Jesus… only give Him… ‘Lip service’ and their ‘hearts’ are not right by Obedience.
*** (Luke 14:26-27) If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
(Luke 14:27) And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me, he cannot be My disciple.
http://www.jesus.org.uk/vault/library/foxes_book_of_martyrs.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnOrHroMF5I
Do you realize… your 'Excuse' for… ‘Not Obeying’ the Word of God is to simply say… “You are using that verse, ‘Out of Context’.” Remember in the start of this discussion, the statement was made… “We live by Appling the Word of God!” We do not live by bread alone… ‘but by every’… Word of God = “Matt 4:4 & Luke 4:4.” They are the ‘Principles Applied’… to know how to “Live Righteously”… before a ‘dying world’ that does not want to hear… “God’s Holy Word!”
*** (2Chronicles 12:14) And he did the evil because = he did not = prepare his heart = to seek Jehovah.
*** (Ezra 7:10) For Ezra = had = prepared his heart = to seek the Law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach statutes and judgments in Israel.
Quite some time ago… I read for the first time… “2Chronicles 12:14”… and was visible shaken. God calls it “SIN” because I did not prepare my heart! My complete outlook of Study of the Word, Prayer and other ‘Spiritual Exercises’ was changed. Unless my heart is right… just perhaps is why… I was not hearing God, when He speaks to anyone, through His Word. The ‘heart of man’ is where “Life and Obedience” comes from. Surely you slow down driving when you see a cop or speed trap. But you drive the ‘Speed Limit’… “All the time”… when your ‘Heart is Right’ with Jesus!
*** (Mark 7:6-to-9) But He [Jesus] answered and said to them, Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
(Mar 7:7) However, they worship Me in vain, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
(Mark 7:8) For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the dipping of pots and cups. And many other such things you do.
(Mark 7:9) And He said to them, Do you do well to set aside the commandment of God, so that you may keep your own tradition?
There was a posting… about a Christian who was engaged to a ‘Non Christian’. That is probably a very hard decision to make. The emotions of ‘love & affection’ or even the ‘sexual bondage’ if one has pre-marital relations; can hinder one from the right decision. But Obedience to the Word of God… for the True Believer… is and can be one of eternal rewards or loss thereof. It does cost to follow Christ and His Word… but the ‘peace’ is worth it all!
*** (Isaiah 32:17) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the service of righteousness shall be quietness and hope forever.
*** (Acts 5:29) And Peter and the apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
*** (1Timothy 5:24-25) Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment. And some they also follow after.
(1Tim 5:25) Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and those who are otherwise cannot be hidden.
Do you realize… that the Holy Word of God is ‘not only’ given to us for Instruction, for Learning, for Direction… but to “Test Us?” Over and over again, God sent His prophets and men of God to remind His people of what He had told them. Again and again they would not listen and were often punished for their disobedience. Sometimes they listened but often not they rejected correction and were destroyed. Take the time and read… “1Kings 13:All”… and see what decision the man of God made, both good and bad! It is one of my favorite chapters on obecience.
*** (Exodus 20:19-20) And they said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will hear. But let not God speak with us, lest we die.
(Exodus 20:20) And Moses said to the people, Do not fear, for God has come = to test you, = and so that His fear may be before your faces, so that you may not sin.
*** (Joshua 24:15) And if it seems evil to you to serve Jehovah, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served Beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.
*** (1Samuel 15:22-23) And Samuel said, Does Jehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice! To listen is better than the fat of rams!
(1Sam 15:23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idol-worship. Because you have rejected the Word of Jehovah, He has also rejected you from being king!
One ‘cannot’ grow Spiritually… until they ‘learn first’; to Obey the Word of God! The Treasure of the Knowledge of God and the Truth in His Holy Word… will not be available for the ‘Rebellious & Disobedient”. God, the God of the Bible is “Not”… ‘Santa Clause!’ Yes many of the ‘phony preaches’ tell all sorts of Lies about Him and what His Word says. They are no different than those Old Testament False Prophets… who led Israel astray! That is why it is so very important for “YOU” to know… Exactly what God Himself… “Says in His Word!”
*** (1Kings 22:20-to-23) And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth in Gilead? And one said this way, and another said that way.
(1Kin 22:21) And there came forth a spirit and stood before Jehovah and said, I will entice him.
(1Kin 22:22) And Jehovah said to him, With what? And he said, I will go forth and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, You shall entice him and succeed also. Go forth and do so.
(1Kin 22:23) And now, behold, Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets, and Jehovah has spoken evil concerning you.
*** (2Peter 2:1-2) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
(2Pet 2:2) And many will follow their pernicious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be evil spoken of.
*** (2Corithians 11:13-14-15) For such ones are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
(2Cor 11:14) Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light?
(2Cor 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
It is up to… “You!” No one can make the choice for you. Your free will allows you to make choices. Sometimes you may think that there are too many choices. “The Good, the bad and the UGLY?” But there is only “One Choice”… and that is to Obey The Word of God. “But I don’t’ know what the Word says…?” Here is the real question… IF you knew, would you ‘Obey’ it? God has given His Holy Spirit… to every real believer. He is within us to Teach Us. But you have to allow Him. Simply reread these verses and see?
http://truth459.blogspot.com/2010/03/only-two-choices-101blog.html
*** (John 16:13-14-15) However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.
(John 16:14) He will glorify Me, for He will receive of Mine and will announce it to you.
(John 16:15) All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and will announce it to you.
*** (Matthew 11:27-to-30) All things are delivered to Me by My Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son will reveal Him.
(Matt 11:28) Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matt 11:29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
(Matt 11:30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
*** (Romans 6:16-17-18) Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to him whom you obey; whether it is of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness.
(Rom 6:17) But thanks be to our God that you were the slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
(Rom 6:18) Then being made free from sin, you became the slaves of righteousness.
*** (James 1:22) Keep on being doers of the Word, and Not Merely Hearers who ‘Deceive’ themselves.
*** (Luke 6:46) "Why do you keep calling Me [Jesus] 'Lord, Lord,' but don't do what I tell you?
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*** (Psalms 138:2) I will worship = toward Your holy temple, = and = praise Your Name = for Your loving-kindness = and = for “Your Truth's” sake; = for You [God] = have magnified = = = “Your Word” = = = ‘Above All’ = Your Name. = [Psalms 119:18 & 1Samuel 3:21 & Deuteronomy 29:29]
"NO”… Real Christian... ‘Fears’, = The Truth = of the Word of God... “Unless”… ‘they are’… Out of … “Obedience & Fellowship” …with ‘GOD’… and with “His Word”...!"
(Micah 2:7) House of Jacob, it is said, The Spirit of Jehovah is limited, if these are His doings. = Do not = My Words = do good to him = who walks uprightly?
Thank you for Your EAR! [Job 12:11] Roger //Email// atruth459@yahoo.com
Home Page: http://truth459.blogspot.com/
Ende…!
