The Gospel of John records the story of a man who had been born blind but healed by Jesus. The Pharisee’s questioned him about how he could suddenly see. He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, “Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight” (John 9:11 NJKV).
Notice the obedience in this man’s attitude. Jesus said, “Go.” The blind man said, “I went and I received.” That simple act of obedience gave him his sight.
There are those who always seem to be ready to blame God for unanswered prayer. They claim that God always answers prayer but: “Sometimes He says “yes,’ and sometimes He says “no,’ and sometimes He says “maybe later.'” What greater excuse could be developed to justify a lack of fruitfulness? These ideas are actually developed to disguise ignorance or disobedience to the Word of God.
One of the great secrets of obedience is to develop this attitude toward the Word of God: “If God said it, then that settles it.” We must be receptive enough to accept the Word, and then committed enough to do what God tells us to do in the Word.
In our study of the Bible, we must not neglect its practical influence to make us loving, giving, fruit-producing believers. The reason some show little evidence of these great qualities is because they do not receive the Word of God as instruction from the Holy Spirit to be followed.
It is through listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit that the Word of God truly comes alive in our hearts. That’s when the power of God to fulfill His Word becomes energized within us. We must be sure to apply our faith as we study the Bible. Take it to heart and it will become the simple revelation of what God is doing for us, in us, and through us.
All newly discovered truth must become a part of our lives. God builds His nature into our lives by His Word: precept upon precept; line upon line (see Isaiah 28:13). One truth must take root before the next can begin.
We demonstrate our love for God when we obey not by our church attendance, how much money we give, or by teaching a Sunday school class. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15 NKJV). We can do many good “things” with rebellion in our hearts and those “things” mean nothing.
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (v. 21).
When we keep God’s Word we demonstrate our love for Him and we receive the results of our obedience. We not only experience God’s love in a deeper way, but He promised to manifest or reveal Himself to us.
