Session 20

Action = Obedience

From The Gospel: Five Words You Need to Know

READ:
                    
• 2 Corinthians 9:8 
• 1 Samuel 15:22                
• Galatians 1:10 
• James 5:16
                    
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” —2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
                    
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” —1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)
                    
We have seen that our faith is shown in our actions. But the thing is, we don’t want to act just for the sake of acting. We don’t simply “do” just to be seen for our goodness. That is not the point. When we truly understand the sweetness of what faith is, it will cause us to want to be obedient to whatever God asks us to do.
                    
1 Samuel tells us that the Lord does not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. Back when this was written, that was what people did to be made right with the Lord. They would bring their goats and lambs and sacrifice them to the Lord to show that they were repenting of their sin and wanted to be brought back together with God. What Samuel is trying to tell them is that God doesn’t want them to just offer these things because it is what they are “supposed” to do. He wants them to be obedient to Him! This would be the modern-day equivalent of us giving up R- rated movies or drinking and partying when the Lord has really asked us to start tithing or break up with that girl or guy. Giving up those movies and alcohol is a “good” thing, but it is not what He has asked us to do. Therefore it is actually disobedience. God does not delight in the “good” things that we do if they are in not the thing He has called us to do. He wants us to live a life of obedience, not a life of just working to fulfill some set of rules that we think makes us look better to God and those around us.
                    
Jesus has given us the power in His Spirit to live a life of obedience. So many times, we miss out on that because we are so busy just trying to do the “right” thing. James 5:16 says that our prayer has power! Ask God to give you the insight and strength to be obedient.
                    
RESPOND:        
• Read Galatians 1:10. Are you trying to please God or man lately?
• What do you know you need to be obedient in but have been too afraid or scared to do?