Practising Obedience to God”

God at the Centre

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

“Practising Obedience to God”

Proverbs 28:13

                In forming a habit of obedience to God the first thing

one must do is experience God’s forgiveness. Confession is a prerequisite to God’s forgiveness, whether for salvation or daily fellowship. This confession involves repentance and if/when necessary, restitution.

                “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Prov.28:13)

                But what about restitution? Is this a necessary step to be obedient to God? Sometimes restitution is the forgotten part of confession. But if what one had done deprived them of something that was rightfully theirs we must not only apologize to the offended person but also seek to repay him as soon as possible.

                God forgives those who confess their sins Manasseh built pagan altars in the Lord’s temple and practiced witchcraft and even sacrificed his own children. Yet he served as king of Judah an had overturned Hezekiah’s reforms to follow God. But after being captured by the Assyrians, Manasseh greatly humbled himself before the Lord and God forgave him. God forgave him because he confessed his sin. I John 1:9  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  And God forgets them too!  “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17

                God’s fences for freedom are the 10 commandments which is holy ,righteous and good but for many they were what determined the oppression of living. God’s commands are not burdensome, but they are life. Experience and the Bible tells us that we cannot keep the 10 commandments perfectly even if we tried so they will be broken because we are sinners. Yet God calls us to obedience and to do this we seek his forgiveness. The purpose of God’s commandments is to lay a foundation for us on which to build a life of love, freedom, and obedience.

                Read the 10 Commandments  Exodus 20:1-17. Then answer these questions:

1)        What does each commandment reveal about eh character of God?

2)      What does each commandment liberate me from?

3)      How does each commandment protect me?

4)      What does each commandment reveal about love?

Pray:  Holy God, “direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” Ps 119:35

Luis Palau, “God at the Center: Habits for Spiritual Growth” ODB Ministries, p.17-20.