ARE YOU OBEYING THESE COMMANDS?
The day we were born again, we probably did not realise that we enlisted in GOD’S ARMY, and of course Biblical Discipleship is very much BASIC TRAINING, to become a well equipped soldier to learn to fight our enemies. Interestingly, in military basic training there is a lot of repetition until what is required becomes automatic and a lifestyle for the soldier. This I consider essential for the new Believer being reminded over and over again what the Bible teaches and requires until it becomes a lifestyle.
An important part of military training is TO ALWAYS OBEY ORDERS, even though at times to the recruit the order could be considered crazy, if a soldier disobeys orders, he will be disciplined so that hopefully he will not disobey again.
I want to highlight 2 COMMANDMENTS we find in the Word of God, one in the O.T. and one in the N.T.
- We read in Joshua 1:7-9 NKJV
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant COMMANDED you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may PROSPER wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall MEDITATE in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way PROSPEROUS, and then you will have SUCCESS. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Both Moses and Joshua commanded God’s people to be:
STRONG & COURAGEOUS
NOT TO BE DISMAYED
TO MEDITATE IN THE WORD OF GOD DAY AND NIGHT.
God’s people then and now need an ever fresh revelation and reminder that our God is SOVEREIGN, and that everything is under His control (Rom.8:28), we may be shocked at what happens in our world and around us, we must not fear.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
We must MEDITATE IN THE WORD OF GOD DAY & NIGHT. The word meditate in the Hebrew language means to MUTTER, SPEAK, STUDY, CHEW, IMAGINE, it is not only a mind practice but a VOCAL PRACTICE, we must continue to CONFESS ALOUD THE WORD OF GOD, and more and more it becomes the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the WORD (RHEMA) OF GOD. Eph. 6:17 NKJV And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (Rhema) of God;
WHAT IS THE RESULT?
God promises PROSPERITY & SUCCESS. We need to ask the question what is BIBLICAL PROSPERITY? To many preachers they have interpreted the word prosperity to mean personal riches and human success, but the Bible meaning is all about being SPIRITUALLY PROFITABLE AND SUCCESSFUL.
I have written before that in my Missions classes especially we teach REDEMPTION LIFT, when a person comes to Christ, for example, he ceases to smoke and drink and gamble and changes his lifestyle, which means there is more finance for daily living, and a desire to improve one’s life and lifestyle. This is totally different to today’s prosperity Gospel preaching.
GOD COMMANDS US TO MEDITATE DAY & NIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.
2. We read in John 13:34 NKJV A new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The word in the Greek text for love is AGAPE , which is God’s love that has been poured into our heart when we were born again Rom.5>5 N.K.J.V the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
I guess naturally speaking we are not capable of loving everyone because of our sinful nature, so God places His divine love in us, so that we can love one another, not only our friends, BUT ALSO OUR ENEMIES, Matt. 5:44 NKJV But I say to you, love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
It it is sometimes hard enough to love our friends, it is sure impossible to love our enemies, so again Jesus uses the word AGAPE, and this gives us the ability to let God’s divine love flow through us. Visualise your heart like a reservoir, full of the love of God, but if through say because of situations that arise in your life if you hold grudges and unforgiveness you will DAM UP THE LOVE OF GOD AND IT WILL NOT FLOW. It has been suggested unforgiveness in our heart, is like “drinking poison yourself but hoping the the person who hurt you dies!!!!!!!
By the grace of God and His love poured out into our hearts we can declare with Paul in Rom. 8:37 NKJV Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
WHAT IS THE RESULT OF LOVING ONE ANOTHER?
Jesus is simply saying the slogan most of us know so well, “OUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAT A THOUSAND WORDS”.
In our “retirement” we live in a Retirement Village (and love the lifestyle) I am known by some as the “Resident Rev.) we see it as our “mission field” but we sure do not preach, we sometimes say “we are praying for you” and have had the opportunity to personally pray for a couple of residents, but with the Lord’s help we seek to let the LOVE OF GOD SIMPLY FLOW THROUGH US.
May we be good soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and constantly OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS.
