Obey and Live by it’s Counsel

Making the Word Work for You (v)
Obey and Live by it’s Counsel (13/12/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

John15:7 “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” – KJV

People do certain things in God’s name, not because they really love and desire to genuinely obey God, but because of what they want to recieve from Him. It’s a selfish attitude, a form of ‘bribing’ God to win His favour as king Saul did. It’s a ‘deal’ kind of relationship with God. When things are fine and one is benefiting, you appear loyal to God. But when He seems not to favour you, you want to try other ways. Little thought is given to choosing to obey and purposing to live by the counsel of God in daily practice. Before the word works on our circumstances, it must begin with us.

God is more interested in moulding our character than all the excitements of His wondrous works He can do. Unfortunately, many want to only look at the pain free side of God’s working in us. Thats why He will allow certain pains or seeming failures to come our way to build character, His nature in us. Before, or as we tell the word to others and expect results in them, it should have worked, or is working on us similarly. It’s a double edged sword, working on the sender and receiver equally.

To abide in the word is not an on and off affair. Its an unwavering commitment to know it and to go by what it says in all matters of life. It means always asking, ‘what does the word say’, and doing just that. Life offers many things and choices; good and bad, right and wrong, sound and misleading advice. We must choose to face them all as guided by the counsel of God’s word which is solid and stands the test of time because its backed by God Who doesn’t change. Go by it, however unpleasant it might appear. All other advice not based on biblical principles, however appealing it may appear at the moment, will one day crumble. It’s like foundation of sand.

Choose to obey God’s voice for yourself, not necessarily for any good returns you expect, but for what it is: God’s holy word. Purpose to lead your life; job, career, relationships, family or decisions by the guidance of His word. Then you shall ask whatever you will, and it will be granted, says Jesus.

1Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams.”

Shalom children of God. Have a great weekend.