Category Archives: Obedience

Bible, Children, Disobedience, Grandchildren, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

OBEDIENT CHILDREN

EPHESIANS 6:1

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

What parent doesn’t want obedient children?! Can I get an Amen? Lol. Of course, we want children to obey us, but why? Well, there are just supposed to, Carl. Children should be seen but not heard. Yeah, right! Do you really believe that? I didn’t think so. Children are gift from the Lord. We are so blessed to have them in our lives. Isn’t it great that the Lord gives us so much instruction about them and for them?

After spending the last several verses discussing husbands and wives, he turns to the children. Now, as far as we know, Paul didn’t have any children. But remember, he is simply passing along the Lord’s words through the Holy Spirit. He says in today’s verse that children should obey their parents because it is right. We’ll look back at the Law in a bit and look at that command God gave Moses. This letter would have probably been read aloud in the Ephesian church, so the children who were present would have sat up and listened when they heard they were being addressed specifically.

APPLICATION

We all know the ten commandments, don’t we? The fifth commandment is the one addressed to children. Exodus 20:12 says, “‘Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the LORD your God gives you.’” It is the only commandment with a promise. I think that is pretty cool, don’t you? God specifically talks to the children here in Exodus.

I can remember going away on business trips when my kids were little. I bet you can guess what I told them, can’t you? I would say, “Now, you mind your mother and no fighting.” They were usually pretty good, but occasionally I would come home to a very frustrated wife due to their behavior. Our children weren’t always perfect little angels.

Chances are there are not any children reading my blog right now. So, you parents and grandparents need to share this with the kids. Remind them that God expects obedience. A child that won’t obey their parents won’t obey God either. That is our goal as parents – to raise children who love and obey God. Why? So they will raise obedient children (our grandchildren). That’s our payoff, lol.

Father I need to be Your obedient child every day as well.

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Appearance, Bible, Blameless, Glory, Justified, Modeling, Obedience, Restoration, Scripture, Witnessing

HIS WORKMANSHIP

EPHESIANS 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

There is no deep definition of the Greek word for “workmanship.” It simply means a thing made, a product. But just look at the product. I have mentioned before how much of a craftsman my dad was. He could look at a picture of something and then build it. I can still see his workmanship in our homeplace. He built that house in the late 50’s. It’s hard to believe that house is almost 70 years old. But my dad’s workmanship still shows.

Paul points out that God made us, fashioned us “in Christ Jesus for good works.” Albert Barnes says this about us being God’s workmanship. “There cannot be conceived to be a stronger expression to denote the agency of God in the conversion of people, or the fact that salvation is wholly of grace.” Because of God’s workmanship in us, we are able to carry out this work of grace into other people’s lives.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “workmanship” is only used one other time in the New Testament. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Just as the world should be able to see God in creation, they should be able to see Him in us, as believers in Christ.

Is His workmanship visible in your life? Do others see Jesus in you? That’s a hard question. You can’t just put Jesus on like a suit or a dress for Sunday and go to church smiling and singing hallelujah. God’s workmanship should be visible to others 24/7. When you stop to get gas and the guy behind you keeps honking his horn, let His workmanship be seen. When your order at the restaurant is wrong, let His workmanship be seen.

God’s works are perfect, right? That means His workmanship in you is perfect. We have no right to mess that up with our excuses. I am NOT pointing fingers. I am as guilty as the next guy of falling short of showing God’s workmanship. I want to be a showcase of His glory. Don’t you?

I am amazed that You would consider me worthy to be touched by Your hands.

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Abiding, Bible, Devil, Evil, Flesh, God's Will, Obedience, Satan, Scripture

UNDER EVIL INFLUENCE

EPHESIANS 2:2

“in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” 

There are so many verses in Scripture warning us about the evil influences of this world which are spurred on by the evil one, this “prince of the power of the air.” Unfortunately, too many Christians don’t believe in that. If you bring it up, they say you are talking about the boogie man or some guy dressed up in a red suit with a tail and a pitchfork. They have no idea the danger they are in.

If Satan wasn’t real and his influence was not a threat, do you think Paul would have wasted ink and parchment to warn the Ephesians and us? Paul knew this influence all too well. He himself had been under its power before his Damascus road experience. He was fooled into thinking he was doing God’s work by stomping out the Christians. Even Paul, a very smart man, was fooled by this spirit of disobedience.

APPLICATION

This is not rocket science, people. Stay away from evil influences. Follow God’s commands. James says it simply in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, therefore, to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Sound too simple? Try it. Give yourself completely over to God and watch what happens. I have found when I am diligently seeking the Father, I do not have my mind on things of this world.

Romans 6:12-14 give us the secret. “12 Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.” See? It’s not rocket science, but it does require dying to yourself.

There’s the problem! Most of us don’t want to give up those carnal desires. We say we do, but we won’t let them go. We keep them in that little, dark room we think God can’t see. He can, and He wants us to clean it out. Okay, get out your broom, dustpan and mop and go to work today. Clean it all out and submit to Him.

Thank You, Father, for cleaning me up.

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Accountability, Allegiance, Belief, Bible, Commands, God's Will, Hypocrisy, Judgment, Obedience, Sacrifice, Scripture

HYPOCRITES

GALATIANS 6:13

“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.”

Do as I say and not as I do. You’ve heard that before, I am sure. A lot of parents may not say those words to their children, but they sure live them out. “Don’t smoke!” But they light one up regularly. “Don’t drink!” But they don’t have a problem popping a cool one. “Don’t cuss!” But they let a few words slide out when they are upset. It’s easy to give directions if you aren’t holding yourself to the same standard.

Paul continues to confront the Judaizers who were trying to force the Galatians to follow the Mosaic Law in addition to accepting Jesus as Savior. As a former Pharisee, Paul knew all too well the debilitating consequences of trying to follow the law. You couldn’t pick and choose which parts of the law you wanted to follow. It was all or nothing. Fortunately, the Galatian believers needed none of it. Paul wants to make sure they know that.

APPLICATION

James said it best, I think, when he said this in James 2:10. “For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all.” There you have it. You can’t say, “Get circumcised,” and not keep the rest of the law. These Judaizers were forcing the issue of circumcision without they themselves keeping the whole law. They were, in fact, guilty of breaking the whole law. It was a futile exercise.

Don’t get me wrong. The law served its purpose. It pointed out to men the impossibility of keeping it. We needed something more. We needed the perfect sacrifice to end all sacrifices. Jesus provided that. Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hallelujah, praise the Lord!

Paul was not letting the Galatians off the hook with this statement in today’s verse. They still needed to follow the Lord’s commands. They should still strive to be holy as He is holy. But now all those things are under the blood of the Lamb. He has paid the price for our failings. We obey out of love, not fear.

O Lord, help me be an example of truth and honesty, not hypocrisy.

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Accountability, Admonished, Advocate, Bible, Choices, Consequences, Forgiveness, Obedience, Redemption, Scripture

YOU’RE GONNA ANSWER FOR THAT

GALATIANS 6:5

“For each one will bear his own load.”

As a proper sibling, I always blamed my brother and two sisters for stuff. If I messed up something, Cheryl did it. If I broke something, it was Tim’s fault. And if I got into the cookie jar, of course, it was Brenda. I didn’t want to take the blame for anything. My parents weren’t dummies, though. They knew who was behind 90% of those things.

Paul tells the Galatians here that they must take responsibility for their own issues. They couldn’t blame others Elliott says this, “Here he is told that he must ‘bear his own load,’ in the sense that he must answer directly to God for his own actions. His responsibility cannot be shifted on to others.” I do believe this still applies to us today, doesn’t it?

APPLICATION

Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That includes you and me. There is no way around it. I sat next to a one-year-old on a flight recently. Let me tell you – no one had to teach her how to pitch a fit. It just comes naturally.

But there is an escape plan. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13? It says, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Aren’t you grateful for that? We still have to confess those sins. We still have to make things right. We still have to bear our own burdens. In fact, the Greek word used here for “load” actually means something that an individual has to carry themselves. And then, we take that “load” and lay it at the feet of Jesus. He understands. He can take it up. Take a minute and read Isaiah 53:4-5. You will see what He carried for us.

Lord, I bring my load to You. I know You can carry it much further and better than I.

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Accountability, Battles, Bible, Burdens, Comfort, Family, God's Will, Ministry, Obedience, Scripture

SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE SOMETHING

GALATIANS 6:3

“For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

Ouch! This verse feels like Paul is stepping on my toes. How about you? We have all been there. We think we are better than someone else. We think we would have never fallen like that person did. Some of my hardest falls have been the result of overconfidence. I like what Doddridge says about this verse. “The worst part of the fraud falls on his own head.” Man, that stings.

Don’t forget that this verse immediately follows the verse about bearing each other’s burdens. This is why. Because you may wind up in the same fix and need help yourself. Paul is warning the Galatians against vanity – spiritual vanity. Oh, it was so easy for them to think they were better than others. They had arrived. They were above those who struggle. Paul is saying, “Not so fast! You too may need a hand down the road.”

APPLICATION

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12 where it says, “Now, when you think you are standing firm, be careful lest you fall.” We can never get overconfident, unless that overconfidence is in Jesus. He will never fail – NEVER! His promises are true. In Joshua 23, Joshua repeats a statement from chapter 21. He says in verse 14, “‘Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; they all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.’”

Those promises still hold true. He is a promise keeper to the end. Even the last words Jesus spoke on earth after His resurrection says this. In Matthew 28:20 we read, “…‘and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” So, when we fail (and we will), He is always there – to the end.

Let’s back up a minute to the previous verse since this is important to the context. We must bear one another’s burdens because we need each other. There will come a day when you fail and that brother or sister to whom you gave a helping hand will run to your aid. That is how the body works.

Thank You, Father, for the body of Christ that looks out for each other.

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Bible, Blessing, Love, Neighbors, Obedience, Scripture

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

GALATIANS 5:14

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

We are told throughout Scripture to love our neighbors. I have been fortunate to have neighbors who were easy to love. There have been a couple who were harder to love than others, but I still loved them. I have heard horror stories about neighbors, though. Some neighbors don’t want to be loved and resent the fact that you would even say that. Let’s take a look at this commandment and see what the Lord meant by this.

In today’s verse, Paul quotes from Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” The ten commandments are divided into two parts – commands regarding our relationship to God (#’s 1-4) and commands regarding our relationship to others (#’s 5-10). Being a former Pharisee, Paul was well acquainted with the law. But now he sees the merits of the law in a whole new light. Before, without Christ, he saw the impossibility of this command to love your neighbor. But in Christ, all things are possible.

APPLICATION

Paul expanded his thoughts on this subject in Romans 13:8-10. “8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. 9 For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

And we can’t forget the words of our Savior in Matthew 19:19. “‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’” And over in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus explains to the Pharisee, “37 And He said to him, ‘“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.’”

So, between Paul’s words and the words of Christ, we should have no questions about if we should love our neighbors. Love them because Jesus loves them. Love them because they need the love of Christ in their lives. Love them because through loving them, you will be blessed. Love someone today.

O Lord, loving isn’t easy, but through You it is possible.

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Admonished, Battles, Bible, Circumcision, Enemies, Grace, Law, Obedience, Scripture

NO EASY WAY TO SAY THIS

GALATIANS 5:12

“I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.”

There are times when we are dealing with difficult people that we wish they could see themselves as we see them. We wish they could feel the hurt they are inflicting on us or others. I am not saying that is a right or godly thought. I am just speaking the truth. Most of us have felt that way before. If they could just get a dose of their own medicine. Am I right?

Well, I can’t say that I can read the mind of Paul, but it almost seems he is feeling this way in today’s verse towards those people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law, especially the law of circumcision. Scholars debate the meaning of this verse widely. Some say it says just what you think it says, that Paul wishes those people would castrate themselves. In other words, that they would go beyond circumcision and mutilate themselves. Other scholars say the Greek words here imply that he wishes they would separate themselves from the church and go their own way. Whatever Paul meant, he wanted these Judaizers out of the life of these Galatians because they were causing trouble.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our life. Thanks for the challenge, lol. In Book 4 of the Every Man A Warrior curriculum, we deal with Purity. In fact, book 4 is entitled Every Man A Pure Warrior. One of the skills we practice in that book is amputation. Yep, amputation. We teach men to cut off those things in their life that are leading them in an impure lifestyle. That may include cutting people out of your life who lead you astray. I like what Paul says in Philippians 3:2, “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Even in Philippi Paul was dealing with these people who wanted to put others up under this false teaching.

Anyone who wants to put you under the law needs to be held at arm’s length. Do not let them influence you in your spiritual journey. Remember, Paul has been preaching freedom through this entire letter to the Galatians. Don’t think those people only lived back then. We have people just like that today who are members of our churches. They have their own list of do’s and don’ts for you to adhere to.

So, what do you do? How do you live in such an environment. You saturate yourself with the Word of God. You let it direct you. All we need is Jesus. He gives us everything we need. You need not add one thing to what He requires – acceptance of His grace. Amen? Now go live free!

Lord, forgive me when I put things on myself that I think make me more spiritual. All I need is You.  

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Advice, Belief, Bible, Confession, Deliverance, Eternity, Forgiveness, Grace, Justified, Obedience, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture

DON’T DO THAT!

GALATIANS 5:2

“Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.”

We often think if we just do this one thing then everything will be fine between us and God. We seem to think we can do things to warrant His grace. Let me tell you that is a hopeless endeavor. There is nothing you can do to gain His favor – nothing that is except coming to Jesus and acknowledging your need for a Savior. Why do we work so hard at something that is free?

As a former Pharisee, Paul is giving the Galatians a warning.  Albert Barnes said Paul was saying this, “if you are circumcised with a view to being justified by that in whole or in part, it amounts to a rejection of the doctrine of justification by Christ, and an entire apostacy from him.” They were thinking if they followed the Mosaic law and agreed to physical circumcision, they would be justified in God’s eyes. Paul says, “No! Stop! Don’t do that! It won’t work!”

APPLICATION

As I said in the opening paragraph, you can’t do one thing to gain justification. It’s all been done for you by Jesus. You just have to accept and believe. Do you remember Paul’s words to the Roman church in Romans 10:9-10? “9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Confession and belief – that’s all that is needed. I hope you understand that it is not up to you. You are hopelessly doomed to an eternal damnation UNLESS you simply confess and believe. No other act is necessary. John tells us in John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,” I didn’t see one mention of circumcision or any other act in that verse. Did you?

In your journey with Christ, lean into Him. Don’t fret about what you must do. Sure, we need to study His Word and pray. We need to spend time with Him. As we do that, we will want to do more things for His kingdom. But none of those things will bring us salvation. Only Jesus will. Amen. I pray today you know the One who came to give you the greatest gift – eternal life.

Father, help me to stop striving and do more resting in You.  

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Accountability, Bible, Choices, Devil, Listening, Obedience, Scripture

ARE YOU LISTENING?

GALATIANS 4:21

“Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law?”

Sometimes we get so excited about something that we forget to think about what we are doing. For example, buying a new car. When you go to that dealership and see all those beautiful, shiny cars, you lose all rational thought (lol). Sure, they can “put you in” one of those beauties today and you can drive it home. But part of that deal is you now have to pay the price – every month for years. You are a slave to that car loan.

Paul begins an analogy today that will last the rest of chapter 4. He is going to be comparing the sons born from Hagar and Sarah. The story will develop over the next several days. Bottom line – slavery and freedom. In today’s verse Paul asks the Galatians if they are really listening to what the law is requiring of them. The Greek word for “listen” is akouo, which means to hear to understand. Paul is asking them if they really listening to the requirements of the law, are they really going to sign on that dotted line.

APPLICATION

This applies to us so well. We “sign on” to the newest fads and trends without ever thinking about the long term results. All we need is Jesus. Jesus told us so in John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” He wasn’t bragging or being egotistical. He was simply speaking the truth.

I love 2 Corinthians 5:17 because it shows us what we need. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” All that old stuff we clung to just goes away. We don’t have to lean on it. All we need is Jesus who has made us into a new creation. Don’t listen to the whispers of the evil one who wants to keep you in bondage.

What will you do with your freedom in Christ? How will you serve your new Master, one for whom you serve willingly? He is not a cruel taskmaster. No, He loves us and leads us. He never pushes us. And don’t let this freedom scare you. He’s there to walk you through it. He has a plan. Listen to Him.

O Lord, I want to tune my ears to hear only Your voice.

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