Daily Grace At Jesus` Feet

January 24, 2010

One of the greatest challenges in Christendom today is to hear the Word and obey those instructions or commands. A soldier cannot be a soldier if he could not adhere to the instructions given by his authorities. God is pleased with those who not only hear the Word but do the good job of obeying it. Once when Jesus was performing miracles and driving our demons a women from the crowd very impressed with what Jesus was performing and excited and complimented Jesus` mother Mary; She said: “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” Jesus responded by saying that blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it (Luke 11: 27-28). Jesus gives the same honor that he gave his mother to those people who hears the word and obeys it. Jesus highly esteems those who hear the Word and obey because they are His peer in respect to the obedience He showed to His Father in fulfilling His plans for Jesus` life. Jesus always cherished those who adhere and apply those instructions from the Word in to their lives. Transformation of life from our sinful nature can happen only when this aspect of Jesus` teaching is followed. Some one said about the Bible: “This Book will keep one away from sin; or sin will keep one away from this Book.” The cleansing of our lives towards deeper Christian maturity can happen only when this Jesus` principle, “hear and obey” is followed rather just only “hear.” Jesus gives the same status as that of His own mother to those who hear the Word and obeys. Jesus says that they are “Blessed.” In another occasion, Jesus explains to a question, “how those are blessed?” and compares those who "hear the Word and obey" to a wise builder. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” This person will be sustained from all calamities of life and be blessed and will never be shaken. On the contrary, the one who hears the Word and do not practice what the Word says is like a foolish builder who built his house on sand. When the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, the house fell with a great crash. There is no stability in the life of those who only hear and do not obey and practice the Word; they are not blessed. Further, we read in James 1:22-25 that those who look intently (with interest) to the Word and continue to obey it, will be blessed in what they do. This person will prosper and be blessed in all he does. Today God is looking for those who not only hear the Word of God but those who practices it with obedience and diligent and God blesses those people. What God spoke to you through His Word today? Do you have time to look at it with interest? Do you plan to implement it in your life? If you did you will be greatly blessed!

Thomas à Kempis (ca. 1380 – 1471), a late Medieval Catholic monk and a probable author of the Imitation of Christ (one of the best known Christian books on devotion) said, “Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience. Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience, withdraws from Grace.”

Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service; he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That's the kind of serious-minded response to truth the apostle James calls for in today's Scripture reading. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God. One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. (Credit: Chambers).

Is there any hesitation in your heart to obey and practice what God wanted you to do today? Ask God to help you walk in His ways and diligently follow the instructions from the Word. We need His daily grace to obey Him. When surrounding things are not sure if we can precede, “trust” gives additional strength to follow the instructions from the Word.

Practicing the preached Word is as important as preaching the practiced!

Prayer: Father, help me to diligently obey you as you speak to me from your Word. In Jesus Name...…..…Amen!

May you have a great restful Sunday!