Obedience and Light
“The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.”
Jeremiah 18:1-2
Jeremiah’s ability to “hear” God concerning Israel was contingent on his obedience. Had he not gone to the potter’s house, he would not have heard God’s words. The same is true for us. Obedience is the path to understanding. To walk in stubbornness and self-will results in stagnation and spiritual blindness.
“Then I went down to the potter’s house…”
Jeremiah 18:3
“Then the word of the Lord came to me…”
Jeremiah 18:5
Compliance with His Will leads us to His unfolding revelation.
“What man is he who fears Jehovah?
He teaches him the way he should choose”
Psalm 25:12
The heart of God is to teach us to “choose” His Way over our own whereby he makes known the depths of His Covenant. There are infinite wonders hidden within God, but they are withheld from the proud, the stubborn, and the disobedient.
Obedience is love in action. To withhold forgiveness, to walk in envy or strife, breeds bitterness and stagnation. Disobedience is a desolate path; obedience is the path of His Light.
Those who avoid the workings of the cross wander from the Way of the Lord.
“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
shall remain in the congregation of the dead”
Proverbs 21:16
Righteousness is the path of growing Light that shines unto the full day of His revelation.
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”
Proverbs 4:18 (ESV)
See Related Post: Obedience and the Tree of Life
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The Golden Rule For Understanding
“The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to me, then I may be sure there is something I will not do. Intellectual darkness comes through ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey.
No man ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test over it. We disobey and then wonder why we don’t go on spiritually. “If when you come to the altar,” said Jesus, “there you remember your brother hath ought against you…don’t say another word to Me, but first go and put that thing right.” The teaching of Jesus hits us where we live. We cannot stand as humbugs before Him for one second. He educates us down to the scruple. The Spirit of God unearths the spirit of self-vindication; He makes us sensitive to things we never thought of before.
When Jesus brings a thing home by His word, don’t shirk it. If you do, you will become a religious humbug. Watch the things you shrug your shoulders over, and you will know why you do not go on spiritually. First go — at the risk of being thought fanatical you must obey what God tells you.”
– Oswald Chambers
Brian Troxel
Brian your words are Aly’s true to His word. Love you brother.
I feel the same – may we be true to the end.
BT
thank you Brian Obedience is key
Thank you for stopping by be blessed in your life and ministry.
BT
Amen! 1 Samuel 15:22, “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.”
Yes, God Is more concerned about our obedience than He is about sacrifice. Blessings BT…
One of my favorite scriptures!
BT
Truly obedience is the key that opens the door to not only having life, but to our giving it. I liken it to the heart in the body.
Oh that our Lord will say of us: “Well done, faithful and obedient, ones!” If we’re obedient, we’ll be true.
This writing flowed in the Spirit, Brian. 🌟
❤️Michele
So well stated… may quote you on that in a coming article.
BT
The same way we obey natural laws to gain in the physical, we can’t disobey spiritual laws and expect good results. Life is spiritual first. Bless you