Category Archives: Obedience

Bible, Debt, Obedience, Obligation, Payment, Scripture

UNDER OBLIGATION

ROMANS 1:14

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish.”

Have you ever owed someone something that you know you could never pay back? Maybe they paid off a debt you owed (that has happened to me). Maybe they did an act of kindness to you during a very low time in your life. Owing a debt can feel overwhelming at times, whether it is financial, spiritual, emotional or physical. But, as we will see in today’s verse, being a debtor isn’t all bad.

Paul says he is “under obligation” to reach the Greeks and uncultured (that would have definitely included me, lol). The literal Greek reads, “a debtor I am.” The word used here is used six other times in the New Testament. We will look at a couple of those. The word is opheilétēs. HELPS Word studies says, it is “someone under obligation to pay back (discharge) a debt.” The debt Paul felt was his debt to Jesus for forgiving him and rescuing him from the penalty of sin. He now had the obligation to take that message to those who needed to hear it.

APPLICATION

Opheilétēs is used in Matthew 6:12 where it is part of the Lord’s prayer. “‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’” We learned this prayer as a child, didn’t we? But how many of us are really living that? How many of us forgive as Christ forgave? I know, it’s hard. But we are commanded from the very lips of Christ to do it.

In Matthew 18:24, we see this word used again. This is the story of the man who owed the 10,000 talents. “’And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.’” The point, of course, was this was a debt that could never be repaid. The same is true of us. There is nothing we can do to repay the debt we owe Jesus for dying for us. You may have heard it said, “We owed a debt we could not pay. He paid a debt He did not owe.”

Are you grateful your debt has been paid? Then you are under obligation, you are indebted to Christ. What does He require of you? Deuteronomy 10:12-13 gives us a pretty clear picture. “12 ‘And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?’”

Father God, I owe You my life and to You I give it. Take it and use it for Your glory. 

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

Standard
Bible, Faith, God's Will, Obedience, Scripture

THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

ROMANS 1:5

“through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name,”

The ultimate witness of the love a child has for their parents is their willingness to obey. Obedience shows their faith in what their parents are teaching them. They may not always agree with their parents, but they obey them because they love them. Chances are somewhere down the road they will realize their parents only want what is best for them. I realize not all children have great parents. In fact, some have really bad parents. In that case, they must obey God the Father and trust that He has a plan for their lives to make things better.

Paul uses a phrase in today’s verse which caused me to take pause. What did he mean by “obedience of faith”? Scholars vary in their interpretation of this phrase, but all would agree that real faith is not present unless there also exists obedience. Paul uses the same phrase again in Romans 16:26. Paul knew real faith required obedience. Just take a look at his own journey of faith. That really required obedience on his part to believe and trust God to sustain him through shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments and even a stoning. Obedience of faith was more than just a nice sounding phrase for Paul. It was his walk.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you to think about moments in your life when you had to step out on faith and obey. I can recall several times in my ministry when God was calling my wife and I to do something that didn’t make a lot of sense. We moved several times in our ministry. I truly believe each and every time we moved, God was directing us. Some of those moves were hard, but we went believing He was directing us and was requiring obedience.

The Greek word for “obedience” is hupakoé and literally means submission to what is heard. True obedience requires more than just hearing God’s voice. It requires doing what He says. I think about Jesus in the garden right before He was betrayed. Do you remember His prayer? He prayed if there was another way for the Father to accomplish His Will. He didn’t want to suffer and die an agonizing death of a cross. Who wants that?! But He knew the choice was clear. Only His obedience on that cross would pave the way for mankind’s redemption.

Are you struggling with a decision right now regarding something you know the Lord is telling you to do? Join the club. We’ve all been there. But, if you want to show the “obedience of faith” to the Faithful One, yield your will to His. Submit to what you have heard Him say to you. Trust He is able to see you through, in this life or the one to come.

O Lord, sometimes it is hard to obey when I want my way. Crucify my flesh today and help me yield my will to Your Will.

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

Standard
Bible, Citizen, Heaven, Jesus, Obedience, Scripture

REAL ID

PHILIPPIANS 3:20

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Here in the U.S., a new requirement has gone into place requiring every U.S. citizen to present a photo ID to board a domestic flight which can be a U.S. passport or the new state issued REAL ID driver’s license. I got my REAL ID last month. This new rule has been debated and discussed all across our county with many refusing to get that new ID. All I know is I was warned during my last flight that I would need it or my passport to board any future domestic flights.

Did you know we have to have the correct ID to enter heaven? Yep, no noncitizens are allowed. Hey, wait a minute Carl! I thought heaven was for everyone! Well, it is, but you must have your citizenship ID stamped to get in. How is that done? Paul states that in the verse – “a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is no other way in, no matter what the world may tell you.

APPLICATION

The word for “citizenship” only occurs here in the noun form. It does occur in the verb form in Acts 23:1 where it is translated as “I have lived my life,” and in Philippians 1:27 where it says, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” You see, our citizenship isn’t just the fact that we are now children of the King. We also must live like it, conduct ourselves like it.

Why do we think we can just say a prayer and say we are followers of Christ and live any way we want? Why do we think we can disregard clear teachings from His Word and say we are citizens of heaven? Citizenship requires adherence to the requirements of the land. Our citizenship in heaven does also. We must follow God’s rules and regulations.

Jesus says is John 14:21, “‘He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me…’” I long for my heavenly home, but I am more concerned about how I represent my Savior down here. My conduct needs to reflect the One to whom I have pledged allegiance. So does yours.

I am thankful I am a citizen of Your kingdom, O Lord. Help me live in a manner to reflect it.

Standard
Bible, God's Will, Obedience, Sacrifice, Scripture, Willingness

WOULD YOU BE WILLING?

PHILIPPIANS 2:21

“For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.”

I have been asked to take on tasks or even positions which I did not want. Sometimes I would grudgingly do it, and other times I would politely decline or make some excuse. When it comes right down to it, most of us would decline a dangerous and lengthy task if it was voluntary. Don’t be too hard on yourself. We have all done that.

It seems from today’s verse that Paul had asked others, besides Timothy, to make the trip to Philippi. Remember, this journey would have taken 3-6 months one way. For someone to give up a year of their life is asking a lot. Many scholars believe this may have been the beginning of the withdrawal of some of Paul’s followers that he writes about in 2 Timothy. But Paul could depend on Timothy. He was willing to sacrifice his life for Paul, if necessary.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “seek” here is the same word used in Matthew 6:33 where we are told by Jesus to seek first the kingdom of God. If these other people who were asked by Paul to go to Philippi had been seeking first His kingdom, they would have made every effort to go. I am not implying they were in sin for not going. It’s just that we seem to seek after ourselves more than Him.

In Luke 19:10 Jesus says, “‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Jesus never considered seeking to please Himself. He always sought after the things of the Father and came to seek the lost. Shouldn’t that be what we are seeking after also? When we are asked by the Lord to take up impossible tasks, we do it knowing He will enable us.

Are you willing to do whatever the Lord asks? Sure, Carl. I’ll do anything. Oh really! How about selling everything you own and moving to a third world country? Well, I didn’t mean anything. I am not pointing fingers. We all have our reservations about going and doing, don’t we? Just ask yourself this question – Are you seeking to please self or God? That should be pretty obvious.

Father God, I confess that I normally seek to please myself rather than You. Give me the humility and strength to seek Your will in all things.

Standard
Bible, Holding, Obedience, Scripture

HOLDING FIRMLY

PHILIPPIANS 2:16

“holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.”

Whenever you use tools, you need to maintain a good grip. Handling tools loosely or haphazardly can be dangerous. For instance, my dad taught me how to properly hold and use a hammer. Simple enough, right? But there is a right way and wrong way to use a hammer. Once you learn how to use it properly, the job is usually a lot easier and is done quicker.

“Holding firmly” in our verse today is epechówhich only occurs four other times in the New Testament. “The Greek verb ἐπέχω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the importance of attention and steadfastness. It is used to describe the act of focusing one’s mind or attention on a particular subject or truth. For example, in Philippians 2:16, the Apostle Paul uses ἐπέχω to encourage believers to “hold firmly to the word of life,” highlighting the necessity of steadfastness in faith and doctrine. This usage underscores the importance of maintaining a firm grip on the teachings of the Gospel amidst challenges and distractions.” (Topical Lexicon) Now, do you see the importance of “holding firmly”?

APPLICATION

In Acts 3:5 epechóis used when the lame man “gave…his attention” to Peter and John hoping for a gift. His focus was on them. In the same way, we should have our focus on the Word and not stop looking at it until we receive something. I always pray for God to give me a “nugget of truth” each time I read a verse or a passage. There are hidden gems present if we will just hold on and focus.

Paul uses this word again in his first letter to Timothy. We read in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” The phrase “pay close attention to” is epechó. Examine the Word, pay close attention to it.

Do you see a pattern here in this word? Hold firmly! Give attention to! Pay close attention! God has given us His Word to guide us daily, but we must do these three things. God won’t twist your arm and make you do it. You have to choose to do it on your own. But oh, the joy that comes from obeying.

Father, I want to hold firmly to every word You speak.

Standard
Bible, Faith, Journey, Obedience, Scripture

WORK IT OUT

PHILIPPIANS 2:12

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

You may have heard the joke about the person who was caught in rising waters from a flood. As the waters rose, a guy came by in a 4×4 truck and offered to rescue him, but he said he would trust God to rescue him. The waters continued to rise and now a man came by in a boat. Still the man said he would trust in God. Finally, as he was perched on his rooftop, a helicopter came by and lowered a rope, but the man was adamant that he would trust God for his rescue. Unfortunately, the man died. When he gets to heaven he asked the Lord, “Why didn’t you rescue me?” The Lord replied, “I sent you a truck, a boat and a helicopter. You just had to get in.”

Today’s verse is like that. God has sent us the means of salvation – Jesus Christ. But we still have to “get in.” We have to choose to accept this free gift and to do our part in growing in our new faith. God will not spoon feed you. He expects you to go to the Word and feed yourself. That doesn’t mean you will have all the answers. But you have to make the effort to grow. The Topical Lexicon says, “believers are exhorted to ‘work out’ their salvation with fear and trembling. This usage highlights the responsibility of Christians to actively engage in their spiritual growth and maturity, relying on God’s enabling power.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated “work out” is katergazomai which is also used in Ephesians 6:13 where it says, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Here it is translated “having done.” This verb is a Middle Voice verb which means you do this. It is not done to you. You must “work out” or do this.

The same word is used in James 1:3 where James says your “faith produces endurance.” There’s an action to it. You’re not like that man in the flood just waiting. Our faith requires action. James said it best when he said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). As you “work out” your faith, your faith grows. God gives you more and more faith as you partner with Him in your spiritual growth.

Too many Christians come to Christ for fire insurance. They just want a “get out of hell free card.” That is not what the Christian life is about. It’s a journey. It’s a process. It doesn’t start and end with your conversion. That is just the beginning. I have been a believer for almost 48 years now and I am still growing. I will not “arrive” until I breath my last. Are you working out today?

Thank You, Father, for giving me the tools to spur my growth and teach me more and more about You.

Standard
Bible, Death, Obedience, Sacrifice, Scripture

TO THE POINT OF DEATH

PHILIPPIANS 2:8

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

Every day, Christians around the world face the danger of death by radicals just for believing in Jesus Christ. Nigeria is ground zero, it seems, for this fierce blood thirsty gang. I have heard that these radicals believe if they can take Nigeria, all of northern Africa will fall to Islam. We should pray daily for saints around the world who are literally fleeing for their lives.

On the other hand, Jesus came with one purpose – to die for us. Today’s verse points that out clearly. Paul writes that Jesus was “obedient to the point of death.” Albert Barnes explains this phrase with an analogy of a soldier. “…the soldier, when he is morally certain that to obey will be followed by death. Thus, many a company or platoon has been ordered into the ‘deadly breach, or directed to storm a redoubt, or to scale a wall, or to face a cannon, when it was morally certain that death would be the consequence. No profounder spirit of obedience can be evinced than this. It should be said, however, that the obedience of the soldier is in many cases scarcely voluntary, since, if he did not obey, death would be the penalty. But, in the case of the Redeemer, it was wholly voluntary. He placed himself in the condition of a servant to do the will of God, and then never shrank from what that condition involved.”

APPLICATION

I know what you’re thinking. Carl, I will never be called on to give my life for Jesus. That just happens somewhere else. Don’t be so certain. What if you faced that decision? What would you do? It is better to be prepared now. I heard a story of a store clerk who was held up at gun point when the thief asked for all the money. The clerk held up his hands and shouted, “Sudden death, Sudden glory!” The thief was so rattled, he ran from the store. Years later, these two met again and the thief had given his life to Christ.

For believers, death is simply a portal to our eternal reward. It is not something to be feared. Now, how you die may be of some concern. For instance, I don’t want to get eaten by a bear, lol. But I am ready. I am at peace with death whenever it comes.

I think Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. “54 But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: ‘DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR STING?’ 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen!

Father, prepare me to face any evil that comes my way by spurning the fear of death.

Standard
Bible, Listening, Obedience, Pressure, Scripture

HARD-PRESSED

PHILIPPIANS 1:23

“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;”

No one likes to be pressured to do anything. At least I don’t. I have to admit that I am pretty stubborn sometimes. If I am told that I have to do something, I might just find a way not to do it. I also get a picture in my head of a full court press in basketball. That is when the team playing defense pressures the team with the ball all the way down the court, hoping to cause a turnover. Pressure isn’t comfortable.

Paul was being “hard-pressed” by the two choices before him. He had such a desire to go on to glory, but he also felt he was still needed on earth. Going to heaven would be more pleasurable and pain free. Staying on earth would not be. He knew that. But he also knew the choice really wasn’t his to make. God would make that choice according to what was best for Paul.

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul for “hard-pressed” is the same word used in Luke 8:45 when Jesus was crowded on the street right before He healed the woman with the issue of blood. People were all over Him. So, Paul is saying in today’s verse that these two possible choices were crowding his mind. He felt the pressure emotionally and spiritually. This can be draining.

Have you ever felt that way? What did you do? We all face decisions, some more than others. Fortunately, my wife and I have learned a few things over the almost four decades of living together. Minor decisions are not worth the effort to worry about. We have both begun to see decisions from an eternal perspective. Do we always choose correctly? Nope! But we sure listen more closely to the Lord when we do make that wrong choice.

God will use the pressures of this life to constrain us or “hard-press” us. All pressure is not bad. You must consider the source of the pressure. If you are feeling the pressure right now, ask the Lord about it. He will let you know if it’s from Him or not. 1 Peter 4:19 says, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

Lord, I trust You to pressure me in order to guide me and lead me in the way in which I need to go.

Standard
Bible, Disobedience, Obedience, Pleasing, Scripture

THIS IS PLEASING

COLOSSIANS 3:20

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.”

I worked with children for close to forty years. I have served as a Children’s Pastor, Youth Director and various roles with Children’s Homes throughout the Southeast U.S. An obedient child is a blessing to everyone, but I have had to deal with a lot of disobedient children through the years. There is no secret to “make” a child obey. They must choose to obey on their own.

As Paul continues to discuss roles within the family, he turns to the children. He says very clearly that to obey is to please the Lord. “Obey” is the Greek word that means to listen in order to obey. It points to a hearing under authority. In other words, God has placed people over us (parents, bosses, governments) to obey in order to please Him.

APPLICATION

Now, I know there are probably people in your life to whom you report to that you don’t particularly care for. As obedient children obey their parents, we too must obey our authorities. Why? Because it pleases the Lord. One of the best passages about pleasing the Lord is found in Romans 12:1-2.

“1 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice,  acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Whom do you want to please today – God or yourself? I pray it is God. He has given us so many reasons to obey. Perhaps a study on obedience would be good. Take some time today or tomorrow and look up some verses about obedience using a good concordance. You may be surprised to see just how disobedient you are. Hmmm. What will you do about that?

Lord, help me yield myself to You as an obedient child.

Standard
Bible, Children, Honor, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HONOR?

EPHESIANS 6:2

“HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),”

I have to say I had some pretty good parents. They weren’t perfect but who is. They raised four children who all grew up to be pretty responsible adults. I can’t think of a reason why I would not have honored my parents. I didn’t always agree with them, and I sure didn’t like some of their rules, but I feel like I honored them pretty well.

In yesterday’s blog, I began discussing Paul’s address to the children. Let’s talk a little about this “honor” word, though. The Hebrew word which is what Paul is quoting here, is kabad or kabed. It has a lot of definitions ranging from heavy, weighty, burdensome or honorable. Context tells us how it is being used. And here it means to show honor. In other words, to obey. It is not a complicated command, is it? Simple – just honor.

APPLICATION

But Carl, what do you do if your parents aren’t honorable? What if they are abusive or tell you to do things that are wrong? God does not expect children to honor such individuals. He would never tell you to submit to that kind of treatment. God is our protector and defender. I know, I know, children still get abused by parents. It breaks my heart, and I don’t understand it. I think hell will have a hotter corner for those who abuse innocent children.

When the command is mentioned again in Deuteronomy 5:16, it is expanded upon. “‘Honor your father and your mother, just as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well for you on the land which the LORD your God is giving you.’” We have a specific promised blessing for honoring our parents. God will bless us with a long life and prosperity in the land.

I don’t know your circumstance, but everyone of us reading this blog is a child of someone. Perhaps your abusive parent is still alive. You are grown now and are safe. How do you honor them now or do you? Ask the Lord. He will tell you what to do. Perhaps He will use you to draw them to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Just remember – God loves you and desires your obedience in all things.

Father, for some it is hard to show honor to their parents. Protect their hearts and show them how to obey Your command.

Standard