Trust and Obey

[B-A-C]

I am reminded of a old hymn we sang decades ago.

Trust and Obey, for there's no other way.

I don't remember all the rest of the words... but that was the main theme of the song.

I think a great many of us trust in Jesus.... but I wonder if we always obey?

I wonder how the message of the Bible would look if....

Moses: I trust you God, but I'm not leaving Egypt to lead these people through the wilderness.

Abraham: I trust you God, but I'm not going to sacrifice my son to you.

Noah: I trust you God, but I'm not going to build an ark.. people will laugh at me.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abedniggo: We trust you God, but we're not going into that furnace.

David: I trust you God, but I'm not going out to fight any giant.

--------- how about the new testament? ----

Jesus: I trust you Father, but I'm not going to die on a cross.

John the Baptist: I trust you God, but I'm not going to preach the gospel, I might be beheaded by Herod.

John the brother of James: I trust you God, but I don't want to be an apostle, I might get killed by the sword.

Stephen: I trust you God, but I can't do your work, I might get stoned by the Pharisee's.

----------------------------------------------------

I trust you God, ... but ....

We always have an excuse not to obey. But if we aren't obeying god, are we really trusting Him?

 

[B-A-C]

Heb 11:7; By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Heb 11:17-22; By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

Heb 11:23-34; By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

By Faith...
Noah built an ark because he trusted God.
Rahab hid the spies because she trusted God.
Abraham was willing to sacrific Isaac because he trusted God.
Moses left Egypt because he trusted God.
Joshua circled Jericho seven times because he trusted God.

Having faith in God requires obedience. It requires your faith to be tested.

Heb 11:17; By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

Rom 4:3; For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Rom 4:9;Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”

Gal 3:6; Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

James 2:21-25; Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Our faith is credited as righteousness once we are tested. Once we are obedient to God.
Once we make our faith evident. Faith can't just be mere words.

 

[LordKnows]

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