Category Archives: Obedience

Bible, Disobedience, Evil, Good, Obedience, Scripture, Works

PRACTICING THE WRONG THINGS

ROMANS 7:19

“For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”

When I was in college, I had this recurring nightmare that I arrived at a class for an exam only to discover that I had studied the wrong information. After hours of cramming, I failed miserably, not from lack of preparation, but from preparing with the wrong information. If you want to do well at anything in life, you have to prepare well and use the right stuff. You will never learn to drive a manual transmission if you only drive automatics, right?

Paul states the obvious in today’s verse. He basically says, “I can’t do this because I am doing that.” He wants to do good but is too busy doing bad. Let me remind you that Paul wrote this letter from Corinth towards the end of his third missionary journey. I wouldn’t call what he had been doing evil or bad works. Just the opposite. He had put his life on the line numerous times. So, why would he say this in today’s verse?

APPLICATION

Our hearts are inherently wicked. Paul uses the Greek word kakós for “evil.” The Topical Lexicon says, “It functions as a broad moral term encompassing wicked character, destructive actions, corrupt motives, and harmful consequences.” Let me just say, people in ministry are not exempt from evil. After all, we are only human like the rest of you. I know some preachers who have their “hit list” of people they wish would get out of their way. That may sound funny, but it is too true.

Paul was writing this letter from a pretty wicked city. Corinth was not known for its wholesome atmosphere. It was full of pagan gods and idol worship. I am sure Paul struggled at times keeping his temper or his attitude in check against such evil. I truly believe today’s verse showing his confession of such things should encourage us to be more open and confessional. We have all been there at one time or another.

Let me encourage you to spend more time practicing the good things and less time the evil things. Spend more time praying than complaining. Invest more in purifying your minds and less time filling it with mindless dribble. Don’t walk into that final evaluation period having spent all your time in the wrong stuff. Walk in fully confident of having spent time with the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is His wisdom we seek, not our own.

Lord, fill me with the desire to please You in all I do and to spend time with You each day.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Entrust, Heart, Obedience, Scripture, Sin, Slaves, Trustworthy

HANDED OVER

ROMANS 6:17

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted,”

Have you ever been given something by someone and asked to keep it safe? Perhaps it was a rare coin or piece of jewelry. It could even be a child that needs your temporary care. Some things are handed over to law enforcement due to a crime. Other things or people are handed over to cause them harm. We all know the horrible stories told concerning human trafficking.

Paul uses a Greek word that is translated “were entrusted” to show us just how close and personal this is in our lives. The word is paradídōmi. HELPS Word-studies defines it this way, “(from pará, ‘from close-beside and dídōmi, ‘give) – properly, to give (turn) over; ‘hand over from,’ i.e. to deliver over with a sense of close (personal) involvement.” Let’s take a closer look at how this word is used in the New Testament.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 18:24 this word is used by Jesus in His story about the slave who owed 10,000 talents. “And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him.” In this use of the word, being handed over was not a good thing. The torturers were given complete power over this wicked servant. Paradídōmi is also the word used to describe how Judas “betrayed” the Lord into the hands of the Jewish leaders.

The Topical Lexicon describes the use of paradídōmi this way. “Whether used of a traitor, a judge, an apostle, or God Himself, the word always carries the sober idea that what is ‘delivered up’ passes irrevocably into another’s control.” So, how is Paul using paradídōmi in today’s verse? He is telling us that we have been handed the teachings of Christ. We have control of them. But is that the case for everyone?

Yes, all followers of Christ receive His teachings, but how many of them actually follow and use them? I have met too many church-going men who knew all about Jesus and the Bible but chose not to obey. To have been entrusted with something means we protect it, to watch over it. Are you doing that today? It has been entrusted to you. How trustworthy are you?

Lord, I am so grateful for the teachings I have received. Please help me live them out daily.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bondslaves, Death, Disobedience, Enslavement, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Slaves

YOU’RE GONNA SERVE SOMEBODY

ROMANS 6:16

“Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

Bob Dylan had a hit Christian song back in the late 70’s entitled, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” You should google it and listen to it sometime. The verses are great, but the chorus drives home the point of today’s verse. It says,

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Today’s verse is another memory verse for me from our Every Man A Warrior study. It’s the perfect reminder that we will serve a master – either the devil or Christ. Paul uses an analogy that everyone who read this would quickly understand. Some estimates (which are really hard to nail down) have as much as 1/3 of the population in Rome were slaves. There were so many slaves that many feared they could take over the capital city if they chose to revolt.  So, this picture of slavery in today’s verse was one they all understood.

APPLICATION

In John 8:34 we read, “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.’” If the Son of God tells us the danger of sin is slavery to it, shouldn’t we listen to Him? We think we can slip in a sin here and there without sin getting its hooks in us. The devil is sneaky and will allow you to swallow that hook before he sets it.

Our voluntary servitude to Christ, however, changes. Look what Christ said in John 15:15. “‘No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.’” We move from slave to friend. That would have been a crazy thought back when Christ said these words. How can a slave be a friend to their master?

Our Master Jesus is not like other masters. He is a loving and compassionate master. He not only serves as our master, but He also is our friend, our real BFF. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He always hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. So, today choose your master well. Your gonna serve somebody.

I have chosen You, Lord, as my Master. I want to serve You well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Kingdom, Kings, Obedience, Power, Scripture, Sin

A NEW KING

ROMANS 6:12

“Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,”

Every year we see new champions emerge in various sports. I am a huge college football fan, so I will be watching to see who wins this year’s national championship. Will Ohio State, the current “king,” repeat or will there be a new “king”? Of course, I am hoping my Georgia Bulldogs pull it out again. In the end, though, whatever team wins the title, it won’t have an eternal value. It’s just football.

In contrast, the new king in our life as followers of Christ means a huge eternal value for us. Up until we surrendered to Christ, sin was the king of our life. It ruled and reigned. But…when Christ came into our lives, sin’s dominion was over. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. Paul is telling us plainly that we have a new king – King Jesus. He now reigns in us and has filled us with His Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the Greek word for “reign,” “The verb frames redemption as a transfer of government—from the tyrannical rule of sin and death to the liberating sovereignty of grace.” One commentator noted that Paul did NOT say that sin would not still be present. That’s a fact we have to live with until we go to heaven. But we are to not allow it to reign anymore.

Do you remember playing “King of the Mountain” when you were little? A group of kids find a small hill and take turns being “the king” on top while the others try to push him/her off and take their place. Man, I can remember the feeling of being on top and successfully defending my “throne.” However, when a bunch of them teamed up, they were able to “dethrone” me.

When we make Jesus King of our lives, I promise you the demons of hell will team up to try to dethrone Him in your life. Of course, they can’t do that, but they can make your life miserable if you pay them attention, if you allow them an inch of ground. Do not let sin reign in your body. It has no power over you as a follower of Christ. Yield to Christ’s reign and trust His power in your life.

Thank You, Lord, for putting King Jesus in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Sin, Unrighteousness

DISOBEDIENCE VS OBEDIENCE

ROMANS 5:19

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”

I think I was a pretty obedient child until… In my preteen and teenage years, I became pretty disobedient. I don’t need to elaborate on my disobedience. You can probably figure it out. I was a teen in the 70’s when things were getting pretty crazy on the drug scene. I knew the right thing to do. I just chose not to do it. I wanted to do what I wanted to do and didn’t think too much about the consequences. That’s just plain sin. Thankfully, all that is under the blood.

In today’s verse Paul uses two different Greek words to describe disobedience and obedience. They are both built on the same Greek word akoúō but have different prefixes which drastically changes their meanings. Let’s take a look at these two words and as we do, think how you are responding to what you have heard the Master say.

APPLICATION

The first word used by Paul is parakoḗ. It is “(from pará, ‘contrary by close comparison’ and akoúō, ‘hear’) – properly, contrary-hearing, i.e. disobedience which springs from a negative (opposing) attitude, i.e. the refusal to listen properly.” (HELPS Word-studies) This word has the idea of just plain refusing to listen and refusing to comply. This implies a bad attitude that does not want to obey.

It’s only found two other times in the New Testament. In Hebrews 2:2 we read, “For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment,…” Then over in 2 Corinthians 10:6 it is used when it says, “and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Then we come to the word Paul uses for obedience. It is hypakoḗ “(from hypó, ‘beneath’ and akoúō, ‘to hear’) i.e. obedience – literally, ‘submission to what is heard’, i.e. obedience as the response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the Lord’s voice.” (HELPS Word-studies) It is used 15 times in the New Testament (7 in Romans) 1 Pet 1:2 uses this word. “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

Isn’t that the bottom line – obedience to Christ? Nothing else really matters. We can obey others but not be obedient to Christ. It’s been said you will serve a master in one way or the other. Do you choose to obey your own master or The Master? One brings death and the other brings righteousness (Romans 6:16). Choose wisely.

O Lord, I want to obey You and none other.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Flattery, Obedience, Praise, Scripture, Servant, Service

PRAISE FROM GOD

ROMANS 2:29

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.”

Oh, to receive praise from the Lord! Doesn’t the last part of that verse just thrill you? Sadly, many of us prefer the applause of man. We had rather have our names up in lights and be the keynote speaker at a conference than quietly receive praise from God. Let me tell you, the praise of men is fleeting. One minute you’re the cat’s meow and the next you’re yesterday’s headline. You have to set your priorities.

Paul wraps up a discourse that he has had since verse 17 dealing with the Jews. I really love how he ends this with mentioning the praise from God. Most of the Jews preferred men’s praise. They wanted to be recognized and honored. Paul, being a former Pharisee, could relate to that. I am sure many a Jew showed him earthly honor as a Pharisee. But oh, how empty it was.

APPLICATION

1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” As Samuel looked for the next king of Israel, he naturally assumed it would be Eliab, Jesse’s oldest. But the Lord quickly said these words to him. Don’t assume because something looks like the right thing that it is the right thing. We have to seek the Lord’s mind on these things.

I have had the honor of leading some great organizations in my ministry years. As part of my role, I have been recognized for my leadership and dedication. I even received plaques and certificates saying so. Guess where those plaques are now – in the garbage. I moved them from place to place and hung them for years on my office walls. But a few years back the Lord told me to discard them. They meant nothing eternally.

There is nothing wrong with praising others. In fact, we should do that when we see them doing something that honors our Lord. We should praise our children for doing good. But the ultimate praiseworthy statements come from God. We want Him to look at us and be pleased. As His child, He loves us no matter what, but we all desire to hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

O Lord, I want to honor You by serving You. I long to hear You whisper praise over me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Law, Obedience, Scripture

IT’S NOT THE OUTSIDE THAT MATTERS

ROMANS 2:25

“For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision.” 

So many Christians work and work and work to try to achieve some measure of grace from God. If they do this or that; or if they don’t do this or that then they have accomplished something. Wrong! I knew a guy in seminary who refused to go out to eat on Sundays because it forced someone to work to prepare his food and serve him. I don’t criticize his devotion to resting on Sunday, but nothing he did or didn’t do would change the fact that those people were still going to work. Maybe they even had to in order to keep their jobs.

Paul dives into a subject that was well…tender to the Jews. They took pride in the fact that their physical circumcision set them apart from the pagans. This was a law that began with Abraham and was to be a distinguishing mark of their covenant with God to obey His commandments. So, just being circumcised didn’t do a thing for the Jews. Paul says if they violated the Law, it meant nothing.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes gives these remarks about this verse. “No external advantages, no name, or rite, or ceremony will save you. God requires the obedience of the heart and of the life. Where there is a disposition to render that, there is an advantage in possessing the external means of grace. Where that is missing, no rite or profession can save.” No external advantage. You can’t cut your hair short enough. You can’t wear your dress long enough.

What are you doing to try to gain God’s love? Most of us think if we do certain things, we will be more spiritual. What makes us spiritual? It’s the Spirit of God in us. When we come to Christ and receive His gift of grace, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within you. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul tells us, “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Did you catch that? Your body is holy not because of something you do or don’t do. You are holy because God’s very Spirit dwells within you. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! As the old preacher said, “That’s shouting ground stuff!” Are you resting in the Spirit instead of trying to achieve something for God? He loves you, no matter what you do or don’t do. Yes, we should all try to obey His commands. But God loves you – period!

Father, I am so thankful that I can rest in knowing my salvation does not depend on one single thing I do or don’t do. It rests in Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Law, Obedience, Scripture, Sin

LAWBREAKER

ROMANS 2:23

“You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?” 

There are some laws we say we will never break. I will never be a murderer. I will never be a drunk driver. I will never…you fill in the blank. But there are other laws that I “fudge” on. How about the speed limit? I know the marker says 70 mph, but the officer won’t care if I go 80 mph. What’s the law say? 70, not 80. So, whether the officer cares or not doesn’t matter. The law is the law.

Paul continues his questions to the Jews in today’s verse and basically accuses them of breaking the very law they boast about. Remember, Paul knew the law. He knew a lot of law breakers. He himself broke the law by not keeping every single law perfectly. He knew it was impossible to keep. He, I believe, is pointing them to this futility and towards freedom that is theirs in Christ, if they so choose.

APPLICATION

He states it clearly by saying they were dishonoring God. The Greek word for “dishonor” is atimazó. InLuke 20:11 Jesus uses this word to describe how the vineyard’s owner’s son was treated. “‘And he proceeded to send another slave; but they beat him also and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.’” The phrase “treated him shamefully” is atimazó.

When we are disobedient and do not follow the clear commands of Scripture, we are being just as dishonoring to God. We treat Him shamefully by our behavior. Romans 6:16 is a good verse that relates to this decision we must make. “Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” We have that choice – obedience to sin or obedience to God. One results in death, the other in righteousness.

As you face your myriad of decisions this week, make sure those decisions agree with God’s Word. I believe that every decision we make can be filtered through the Word. We should ask ourselves if this decision will honor or dishonor our Lord. That is the most important factor in our decision making. Be an obedient child of the King.

Lord, help me today to make choices that bring You honor. I want to point others to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Heart, Obedience, Right, Scripture, WRONGS

HOW’S YOUR HEART

ROMANS 2:15

“in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,”

We learn as a child the difference between right and wrong. As I watch my 13 month old grandson learn this, it’s amazing how quickly he learns. He is crawling and almost walking everywhere now. That means things that were not in his grasp before have become accessible. We have decided to not remove every item off the lower shelves but instead teach what he can and cannot touch. He is already recognizing that. It’s like he instinctively knows to obey what we teach him.

Today’s verse is a perfect example of the truth that all mankind have been given the ability to know right from wrong, to know evil from good. Paul says, “the Law written in their hearts,…” Look how Barnes explains this word “hearts.” “The word ‘hearts’ here denotes the mind itself, as it does also frequently in the Sacred Scriptures; not the heart, as the seat of the affections. It does not mean that they loved or even approved of the Law, but that they had knowledge of it; and that that knowledge was deeply engraved on their minds.” You see, the Gentiles knew what was right and what was wrong.

APPLICATION

I love how the Topical Lexicon summarizes its discussion on the Greek word for “hearts.” It says, “Kardia gathers the whole interior life—thinking, feeling, choosing—into a single term that Scripture repeatedly declares must be transformed by grace. God searches it, the gospel renews it, the Spirit indwells it, and the believer is called to guard it until Christ is fully formed within.”

In John 14:1 Jesus says these simple words, “‘Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.’” God does not want our hearts to be troubled. He does not want us struggling to know how to recognize evil from good or right from wrong. Contrary to the world’s view, there are not different shades of right. God makes it clear in His Word what is right and what is wrong. And when we do what is right, we have peace with God and man.

So, how’s your heart today? Are you troubled and confused? Stop relying on your own intellect or reasoning. Paul said in today’s verse that the Gentiles had their conscience and thoughts working overtime to show them the truth, but many of them rejected that in favor of doing what they though was right. Don’t fall into that trap! As Jesus said, “believe also in Me.” Believe Him and let Him show you how to live.

Lord, I will follow Your lead, even when I think I know a better way because I know in the end, You are the better way.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Following, Guilty, Law, Obedience, Scripture

CAN I GET A LITTLE HELP OVER HERE?

WE ALL NEED LAW GUIDES

ROMANS 2:14

“For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves,”

No matter what state in the U.S. or country in the world you go to, there are laws that must be followed. When I travel out of the U.S., I am careful to follow the laws of the country I am visiting. I do not want to end up in jail somewhere for committing a crime I was not aware of. That’s why I stick close to those who know the laws of their country. They can keep me on the straight and narrow.

Paul continues his discussion of the futility of trying to gain justification through any law, whether that be a pagan law or the Jewish law. In today’s verse, he turns to the Gentiles who all had their unique laws which they followed. Albert Barnes gives this explanation of this verse, as well as the preceding and following verses. “The main point in the argument is, that if people are justified by the Law, their obedience must be entire and perfect; that this is not to be external only, or to consist in hearing or in acknowledging the justice of the Law; and that the Gentiles had an opportunity of illustrating this principle as well as the Jews, since they also had a law among themselves.”

APPLICATION

The word translated as “instinctively” is physis which means “the underlying constitution or make-up of someone (something).” That got me thinking. Shouldn’t we obey God’s law that way? Shouldn’t our obedience be natural? As followers of Christ, we should be constantly watching and imitating the One we are following. Just as He constantly obeys His Father, we should constantly obey Him.

Are you following God that way? Maybe you need a little help. Just like me when I visit another country, you may need someone to keep you out of trouble. In the ministry I’m a part of, we teach men the necessity of having allies to help them walk the path of purity and holiness. We need “law guides.” I am not saying we are under the law, but I am saying we need help keeping God’s commands.

The one mistake we make, especially as men, is trying to do it alone. We think we can handle it. We don’t want people in our business. But we need people. We need a family of believers who will call us and check on us. We need men who will pick us up and get us back on our feet (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). We need each other. Get yourself a “law guide,” an ally or someone who can hold you accountable and love you through the tough times.

Father, I know I can’t do this on my own. Thank You for people You have put in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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