August - Obedience
There was a mountain climber who wanted to climb the highest mountain. He began his adventure after many years of preparation. He had decided to climb the mountain alone because he wanted all the glory for himself. The night felt heavy in the heights of the mountain, and the man could not see anything. All was black. The moon and stars were covered by the clouds and there was zero visibility. As he was climbing, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at a great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being pulled down by gravity. He was thinking about how close death was getting, when all of a sudden he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard. His body was hanging in the air. Only the rope was holding him, and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice but to call to God for help. All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the sky answered:
What do you want me to do?
Save me!
Do you really think I can save you?
Of course, I believe you can.
Then cut the rope tied to your waist….
There was a moment of silence; and the man decided to hold on to the rope with all of his strength. The next day, the rescue team found the climber dead and frozen. His body was hanging from a rope with his hands holding tightly to it…. Only 10 feet away from the ground.
This makes me think of James 2:14-20.
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
When one has true faith in God, he will obey the commands of God. Faith without obedience is dead just as the body without man’s spirit is dead
15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
James proves that faith without deeds can not save you with this illustration. You cannot satisfy one’s physical needs with wishes alone. When one has trust and faith in God, he will obey God and do well to others.
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
There is no profit in faith without works. Faith which is alive obeys through action. Faith without absolute obedience to the Lord’s will is as worthless as the expression of empty wishes for the needy with no effort spent to relieve their condition.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Works of charity and mercy will show faith as a living tree whose root is love to both God and man, and whose fruit is good works. Faith can not be seen, but its existence is evidenced through the works which it produces. It is implied here that true faith leads to a holy life, and such a life would be the correct evidence of the existence of faith. By their fruits the principles held by men are known.
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.
If all one had to do is to believe in God and Jesus to be saved, the demons would be saved. Demons believe, but do not obey. Those exercising faith without works exhibit the same kind of profitless faith which the demons possess.
20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Faith without works is faith only, such faith is dead. As you know, later in the book of James Abraham and Rahab are given as examples of faith. The best definition of faith is Hebrews chapter eleven where great men of faith are named. The climber had faith in God but was unwilling to obey. His faith was not true. The illustration of the climber also makes me think of Luke 6:46-49
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Lord means master or ruler, therefore, it is not consistent to call one “Lord” and not obey him. Obedience is an essential part of the saving faith.
47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
The word of God must be received into the heart in order to spring into spiritual life. It is not enough simply to hear and receive it; one must also be obedient to it. As you know, there are those in every congregation who attend services regularly and who sit passively where the truth is preached, but who never profit by the word preached, nor translate it into their life.
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Christians should be invested in their reliance on God’s promises, confident in his protection and have a hope of heaven through his blood. Earthly misfortunes should not have a lasting effect on us. The only foundation that will stand the storms of life and death is Jesus Christ, and possessing him as our cornerstone; all the storms and tempests of life may beat harmlessly around us.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
The house built without a foundation is beat upon by the floods and rains; it is gradually worn away; it falls, and is carried down the stream and is destroyed. So goes the sinner. The floods are wearing away his house; and soon one tremendous storm shall beat upon him. He has laid for himself no true foundation, and soon an eternal tempest shall beat around his lost soul.
How great will his fall be!
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As I was reminded earlier today, God tells 22 different men and women, “Don’t be afraid”. Often I myself hear God speaking to me but then I become hesitant and wonder if it’s Satan?