We will only receive deeper understanding of God and His ways if our hearts are receptive and ready to obey. If we are to experience God’s continued abundance in our lives, it will require a commitment to obey His Word.
“And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1 John 3:23 NJKV).
This passage reveals two basic commandments every believer must add to their lifestyle: believing and loving. They are the keys to living a successful life the Word of God promises.
First John 2:5 says, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” (NKJV). God’s love in us longs to be expressed. As we live a lifestyle of love we become God’s ambassadors to the world. In other words, as we help people, our love for God is revealed and we will experience the rewards of our diligent obedience.
Receiving the rewards of walking in love and yielding to God’s will is just what everyone wants. Yet, His rewards are only attained by those who seek Him with their whole heart.
God expects complete and instant obedience. This kind of obedience is the key to successful living. Notice what the Prophet Jeremiah said: “Whether it be pleasing or whether it be hard, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God” (Jeremiah 42:6, Berkeley Version).
This is unqualified commitment. A perpetual willingness. The kind of thinking that signs the bottom of a contract before details are filled in.
There have been many times God has instructed us to do things that did not seem easy at the time. But time after time it proved to be a seed toward something God used to bring increase in our lives.
Many years ago, we were attending a meeting in which a close friend was speaking. He was in a desperate financial situation and facing the loss of his church building. Although he never mentioned a word about this need, the Holy Spirit spoke to Dennis to give a thousand dollars.
We had never before given a $1,000 offering. And for a good reason—we had never had a thousand dollars to give! Dennis turned to me and said, “I believe God wants us to give to our friend.” I instantly agreed! Then he said, “I believe He wants us to give $1,000.” I said, “So do I.”
We had to believe that God would do a miracle for us because we didn’t have the money. But we knew that if God had instructed us to give it, He could certainly get it to us. We acted instantly by going to our friend after the service and committing to give him the $1,000.
Within a few weeks we had received the additional money we needed to give that offering. It was a short time later that our ministry received its first $1,000 offering given by an individual. God had taken the seed we planted in obedience and caused it to become fruitful.
If we commit ourselves to obey God’s voice, He will supply whatever is needed to fulfill His instructions.
