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And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
D.L. MOODY
Did you ever notice all but the heart of man obeys God? If you look through history, you will find that this is true. In the beginning God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. “Let the waters bring forth,” and the water brought forth abundantly. And one of the proofs that Jesus Christ is God is that He spoke to nature, and nature obeyed Him. At one time He spoke to the sea, and the sea recognized and obeyed. He spoke to the fig tree, and instantly it withered and died, it obeyed literally and at once. He spoke to devils, and the devils fled. He spoke to the grave, and the grave obeyed Him and gave back its dead. But when He speaks to man, man will not obey Him. That is why man is out of harmony with God, and it will never be different until men learn to obey God. God wants obedience, and He will have it, else there can be no harmony.
ERWIN LUTZER
Yes, we all disobey God. It’s like the little boy whose mother told him to sit in the corner because he was being naughty. And he said, “Okay, I’m sitting down, but in my heart, I’m still standing up.” You can educate somebody’s mind, but that does not change their heart.
What does the New Testament say? By nature, we are dead in our sins, but God intervenes and gives us the desire and ability to come to Christ, and when we do, we become partakers of the divine nature. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Figuratively speaking, God takes our heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh.
Today, look to Christ as the One whose obedience gives us the right to call God, Father.
PRAYER
Father, help me love your law, which led me to Christ. Help me live in sincere obedience.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How have you been transformed by God?
Read 1 Peter 1:13-16. Why do you obey God? What is the root of this obedience?