THE PATH TO OBEDIENCE

By Jay Pearson

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

We are called by God to endure hardships on this life’s journey, walking in the Spirit in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

2 Timothy 2:3
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

John 17:18
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Prior to walking the path of obedience, there is a question we should all ask in preparation: "Lord, what would you have me to do?” But too often, I instead find myself asking, “Now what do I do?” I ask this after I have exhausted all my solutions and guidance, finding myself in dire need, when I should seek the Lord first.

The path to obedience requires direction from our Lord. The apostle Paul asked this question when he was a devoutly religious man, but certainly not a Christian. As Christian we should be asking this question early and often. Non-believers would be wise to ask this question like Paul, who received the new birth in the Lord as he obeyed the Lord’s directions.

Acts 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Paul not only asked but listened, and followed the directions the Lord gave him to do. Too often our questions to the Lord pertain to decisions we've already made. Really, we are asking him to bless our decisions. I admit this shoe fits me at times. After asking the Lord, What would you have me to do, we should open our ears to hear the direction, with our heart and do it. That is, we should hear with our ears, and our heart, and understand those directions. We don’t want to be like those that hear, but hear not:

Matthew 13:13
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

In Acts 9, Paul followed the Lord’s instructions and received salvation, sight, and his commission in the Lord. It’s not only needful for us to ask the Lord first, but to hear and obey. By asking the Lord for direction, we are acknowledging him.

Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Early in my Christian walk (and up until a couple of weeks ago, to be honest), I would ask the Lord that question, What would you have me to do, and expect an answer about my remaining Christian walk here on earth. God knows I can’t remember directions for next week, let alone my remaining years. The Lord knows me and he knows you. Paul was given instructions to arise and go into the city. Paul was reassured that he would know the rest when he followed the first.

Acts 9:6b
Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

We will also know when we get there.  

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Our race is not a sprint; it is our life’s marathon and we need direction. Did you ever start running not knowing where you were going? Did you get there? We need to ask the Lord where he wants us to go. We need to trust in the Lord’s perfecting work in us and not our perfecting of ourselves.

Have you ever taking a wrong turn driving down the road? Did you stop on the side of the road and analyze why you did that for ten minutes, a week, or a month? No, a mistake requires another take to correct the miss. You’ll reach your destination faster if you get back on the road going the right way. That way is Jesus Christ. Every turn, every choice in life takes you somewhere. Let the peace of God rule your every turn. Yes, God allows U-turns when you end up facing the Lord Jesus Christ. God promises to hear from heaven when you turn to him in prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

It’s our choice: Are we going to park on the side of the road and examine our faults? Or are we going to walk in the newness of life and run with patience the race set before us.

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

I covered five areas of walking the path of obedience:

1.  Ask direction
2.  Listen for the answer
3.  Ask early and do
4.  Don’t bog down in your faults
5.  Trust in the Lord’s perfecting work

Jude 1:24-25
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 

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Presented February 24, 2019 in French Settlement, Louisiana