Category Archives: Obedience

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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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). 

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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). 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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