Applying the Word 2

I received this request in response to the last post: “Jim, please give me a couple of examples.”

There are many examples where Christians are hesitant to obey clear commands.

• Church discipline. Read 1 Corinthians 5, especially verses 9-13.
• Our relationships with evil people and enemies. Read Matthew 5:39-45.
• The qualifications for elders and deacons. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
• Complaining and arguing: Philippians 2:14.
• Being thankful: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
• Hospitality: Luke 14:12-14.

The list could keep going.

The examples above all have to do with obedience. Here are a few examples on statements of fact: Colossians 3:9, Romans 1:6, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:9. These are stand-alone verses. The chapters they are in make the truths much clearer. I have not shared interpretations with you. In many cases, the interpretation takes away the power and the clarity of the text.

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Why Is Obedience So Hard?

There are several reasons why obedience seems hard. I will comment on some of them and then speak positively on how obedience is easy. We think: 1) Obedience is an infringement on freedom. Since we are free in Christ, and obedience is somehow contrary to that freedom, we conclude that obedience is not good. Yet we know it is good. Thus, we become confused about obedience and are not single-minded. 2) Obedience is works. We who have been justified by grace through faith are opposed to works; therefore, we are opposed to obedience. 3) We have tried to obey and have failed—frequently. Therefore, the only solution is to disobey and later confess to receive forgiveness. It is easier to be forgiven by grace than to obey by effort. 4) We confuse obedience to men with obedience to God. Although these are sometimes one and the same (see Romans 13, 1 Peter 2-3, Ephesians 5-6, Colossians 3, and Titus 2), sometimes they are not the same (see Colossians 2:20-23, Mark 7, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, a...

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Roots by the River

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