Tag Archives: spoken word

JOHN 16 SUFFERING IS INEVITABLE IN LIFE

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September 3

JOHN 16

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:25-33

JOHN 16 SUFFERING IS INEVITABLE IN LIFE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

While you are still in this world, trials will come

It is an aftermath of the sin of Adam and Eve

Before the fall, there was no suffering

Tribulations came resulting from sin

Do not fear if you belong to the Lord

Even if trials come, you’ll overcome the world.

Why do some people think that there shouldn’t be suffering in this life? They obviously do not know the Lord if they have this kind of thinking. In these following verses, Jesus revealed to John that tribulation or suffering is inevitable in life. For as long as we are living in this world and until he comes back and fulfills his promise of the new heaven and the new earth, we will have to contend with the pain that comes with trials and tribulations. But these following verses assure us of triumph over such hardships and obstacles to our faith when Jesus said in verse 33 that we can be at peace because it is inevitable in life but also that he has overcome the world already.

The thing with suffering is that it is painful. But the pain sometimes can be bearable if there is someone with us to comfort us or to walk alongside us. In verse 32, we hear Jesus’ promise that God is always with those who call on him and those who love him. So, if we are believers, there is no reason for us to be debilitated by trials and tribulations. We have the Lord with us and he is our strength, our shield and our vindicator. If God is for us, who can be against us? This is why believers are called to come in fellowship with one another and share each others’ burdens so that the law of love will be fulfilled in their lives. This way, God is edified and glorified and the church is unified in following the commands that God has given us.

REFLECTION

  • How should a Christian view suffering in the light of the promise in verse 33?

PHILIPPIANS 1 SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

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September 2

PHILIPPIANS 1

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.27 Only let your manner of life be worthyof the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

                                                                            – Philippians 1:18-30

PHILIPPIANS 1 SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a believer of Christ, we are to embrace trials with joy

When we are rejected and persecuted for his sake

It is an occasion for us to exercise endurance and patience

As a believer, we are to follow his example of long suffering

If you live for Christ, you will look as suffering as gain

We can share in the big sacrifice he made for us by bearing the pain

Suffer for Christ’s sake so you will grow in your faith

Without suffering, you will not be taking the narrow road to Christ.

This letter of Paul to the Philippians is such a big challenge for the Christian believers. Paul sets the example of taking suffering as a way to follow the narrow path to God. When he says in verse 21 to live is Christ and to die is gain, he was referring to die in this context as to suffer. How would suffering be a gain? The world will never understand this because it only knows convenience and comfort.

Two bible verses explain this phrase that Paul is teaching the believers: John 12:24 says “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” 1 Corinthians 15:36 “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” These following verses teach us that the gain in suffering is reaping the fruit of faith. We deepen our knowledge of God and thereby grow in our dependence on him.

REFLECTION

  • How is suffering for a consequence of sin different from suffering for Christ’s sake?

JAMES 1 WHY SUFFERING IS VITAL IN LIFE

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September 1

JAMES 1

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grasshe will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. – James 1:2-15

JAMES 1 WHY SUFFERING IS VITAL IN LIFE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Do not be afraid of trials of any kind; it has a function

When you meet any kind of suffering, don’t avoid it

When you run from them, you will become shallow

It is important that you allow every aspect of the sorrow

When you suffer, you begin to lose control and helpless

Allow the trial to let you grow in humility and resilience

Suffering also makes you remember the one who is in control

So, rejoice when you suffer because you’ll mature and grow.

Many people think that life should be painless. This is why so many unbelievers question why God allows suffering to happen. They do not understand the function of suffering. In this account, the brother of Jesus, James explains its function and why we need to rejoice when we suffer. It is counter-intuitive to unbelievers because Satan has filled their minds with the lie that this world is supposed to be without problems, pain and is comfortable and convenient. When one believes such lies, they would not understand the importance of adversities in their lives. They will automatically avoid it. While they run from this painful event or thing, they are regressing and not progressing. In other words, they will stay immature and unable to face the world with courage. James tells us straightforwardly the functions of suffering. It makes us produce steadfastness as our faith is being tested with the adverse experience. In verse 4, he says that when steadfastness has its full effect, we will be complete, lacking in nothing. We will stay humble and dependent on God and we will be resilient, courageous and strong.

REFLECTION

  • Should a Christian avoid suffering? Why or why not?

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER TO HONOR CHRIST

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August 31

EPHESIANS 5

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. –Ephesians 5:6-21

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER TO HONOR CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you live your life for the Lord Jesus Christ

You’ll become aware of the devil’s tricks and lies

Walk as children of light and discern what pleases God

Take no part in the unfruitful works of this world

When you expose evil in the light, it becomes visible

It can no longer hide and keep you believing in the lies

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

He gave up his life so you can live life to its fullest

Submitting to the body of Christ is giving him glory

It manifests God’s presence as he keeps you holy.

In this account, Paul stresses the importance of submission to the saints who comprise the body of Christ. If you experience false religions, you will see that the relationships in these churches is an activity and not a fellowship where the saints build each other up. In other words, the social gatherings are not for maturing one another or discipling each member of the body of Christ. It is for friendships and social connections. In Romans 12:4-5, Paul explains this unity that exists between the member of believers when he says “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Every Christian belongs to another Christian and their roles have to do with fulfilling the plan that God has for each of his creations. When God created us, he did it for himself. So, submitting to one another is fulfilling that amazing plan of God to bring all his creation to himself so he can be glorified.

REFLECTION

·       What does “submitting to one another” look like in a church setting?

1 PETER 2 DOING GOOD IS SUBMISSION TO GOD

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August 30

1 PETER 2

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperoras supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servantsof God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:13-25

1 PETER 2 DOING GOOD IS SUBMISSION TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God’s purpose for man is to do his will

He wants us to do good to silence the wicked

To do good is to live a life that is free from fear

It is to serve God by loving and serving others

To do good is to submit to the will of God

It is to acknowledge the one who created you

It is also to humble oneself and praise the Lord

This means letting go of the ways of the world.

In this account, Peter admonishes the people of God to submit to authority, but I’d like to focus on verse 15 which is to do good because that is the will of God. According to this verse, the purpose of doing good is to put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Many people are not even aware of the purpose of their existence. It is sad to see that there are also some of those who claim they are Christians who do not do good out of love for God or surrendering to his will. A true believer on the other hand probably knows that their reason for living is to praise and glorify the King of all kings. Peter gives us all a good remembrance of the design of God in all of our lives. By the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we are given a glimpse of that grandiose plan of God for human life. It is to manifest his image in each one of us because this was the reason why he made us all in his likeness. What does “doing good” really mean apart from how the world sees it? The world sees this as a transactional act to be given adulation.

REFLECTION

  • How did Peter differentiate here how “doing good” is not the same as the world views it?

ROMANS 12 SUBMIT TO THE SAINTS’ NEEDS & SHOW HOSPITALITY

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August 28

ROMANS 12

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave itto the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:9-21

ROMANS 12 SUBMIT TO THE SAINTS’ NEEDS & SHOW HOSPITALITY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you love the Lord your God, you will begin to serve the saints

It is the best way for you to love one another with brotherly affection

Always be joyful whether you are facing adversities or blessings

Make it your goal to attend to the needs of your sisters and brothers

Do not neglect to be generous and show the saints your hospitality

Open your homes to the fellowship that is required of every believer

Never think you are wiser than anyone else, stay humble

Love your enemy and treat them as the Lord would do so.

I’ve been witness to so many Christians who does not live up to God’s requirement to love one another with brotherly affection. Some Christians behave much like an unbeliever by following the ways of the world. They do not consider the other saints as sisters or brothers. Instead, we rarely see genuine love for one another. If you consider someone as part of your family, wouldn’t you care what they do and hold them accountable to how they live their lives for Christ. Many are unaware how to apply the laws of the Lord which are based on loving unconditionally. It is hard for us sinners to love without expecting something back in return.

In this account, Paul tells the believers that they needed to show genuine love and focused on submitting to one another’s needs. When he outdoes one another in showing love, he was actually turning their competitiveness to perform from a self-focused life to a selfless and other-focused life. It means that they think of the welfare of others more than their own. They do things out of concern and love for each other and not out of looking good. They do not think highly of themselves, so they are not partial to those who are lowly and poor. Instead, they open their homes and welcome anyone who wants to come so that they can show their love for them. They make it their job to serve the saints and build the church.

REFLECTION

  • What are some ways that Christians fail to show genuine love for the saints?

2 CORINTHIANS 13 SUBMIT TO THE TRUTH

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August 26

2 CORINTHIANS 13

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come, I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.   – 2 Corinthians 13:5-10

2 CORINTHIANS 13 SUBMIT TO THE TRUTH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you become a believer, you are required to surrender your life

There’s no longer a need to cater to your desires and engage in strife

Jesus has implanted his word in your heart so you may be saved

Examine the instructions in his word and humbly succumb

Without being tested by the word, you will not submit to it

If God chose you, you’ll be tested so you can grow in endurance

If you fail to submit to the truth, you will still be faithless

Confess the word, obey it, then your new creation will transpire.

I love how Paul wrote this love letter to the Corinthian church. He manifests the love that God has for his people and how he guides them to submit to the word of truth. I’ve seen many Christians who do not submit to the authority of Scripture and yet claim they are Christians. James says that the truth is given to us so that our souls may be saved. Paul also says to his letter to Timothy that all scriptures are God-breath and is given to us to correct, teach, instruct us and give us a way out when we are trapped in sin. This is what it means by the word as having authority over our lives. It is equally sovereign over us just like God the Father and the Holy Spirit is. In John 1:1 he says that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. So, what John is saying here is that Jesus was the Word. He also points this out to the Pharisees when he said in John 5:39 You search for Scripture because you think they give you eternal life but the Scriptures point to me. That is because Jesus himself is the Word. He is life and all who come to him will have eternal life. It took me a while to grasp this truth because I have believed so many false teachings in the past. It is just beginning to make sense to me why God reveals himself to us in the bible. If we don’t submit to it, we are technically disobeying God himself, isn’t it?

As a former Speech and English teacher, I couldn’t stress much to my students the importance of using the appropriate words when they speak. What we say and how we say it can make or break someone. As the bible says in Proverbs 18:21, the power of life and death is in the tongue. I don’t wonder anymore why God would choose the Word to give us life and to save us.

REFLECTION

  • What could be some reason why some Christians won’t submit to the word of truth?

1 CORINTHIANS 3 SUBMIT YOUR BODIES TO THE LORD

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August 25

1 CORINTHIANS 3

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

                                                                                        – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

1 CORINTHIANS 3 SUBMIT YOUR BODIES TO THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you were chosen by God to be part of his people

He gave you the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and become his temple

You are not your own because you belong to the Lord

Submit your bodies to him because you don’t belong to this world

God is holy and he requires his people to also be holy

Do not defile your bodies with the world’s system

Keep your entire being pure and unstained

Never allow human wisdom to corrupt you.

As humans, we tend to think that we own our bodies and that we can do whatever we want with it, but that is not what Paul was teaching the Corinthian church here. He tells them that God’s Spirit lives in every believer’s body and that we ought to keep it holy because we serve a holy God. It is so humbling that God chose to live in our sinful bodies. Without the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we won’t have the privilege of being God’s temple. But how do we treat the temple of God? How do we make sure that we don’t desecrate or defile our own bodies? In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Paul tells the believers how to keep their temple pure. He said “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.”

What else do we do that defiles the body? We can abuse different kinds of substances that are not good for our health and lead us to do things that will open doors for more sins. Any kind of addiction such as smoking, drinking alcohol, food, work or bad habits of not eating healthy food but binging on things that are going to be harmful for us are ways of corrupting our own bodies. If we deprive ourselves of sleep and rest, we will eventually suffer from many other mental, emotional or physical illnesses.

REFLECTION

  • Give examples of how we should keep our bodies as sacred temples of God.

ROMANS 10 CONFESSION LEADS TO FAITH AND SUBMISSION

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August 24

ROMANS 10

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:1-13

ROMANS 10 CONFESSION LEADS TO FAITH AND SUBMISSION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you hear the word of God, harden not your hearts

God’s word is not far from you; it is within you and in your mouth

If you confess and speak it out loud, it will be declared and heard

Those who hear it will be led to the truth that comes from God

As soon as you hear it, receive it and don’t resist but obey it

It will lead you to believe in the Lord as you begin to know him

Say it out loud so your whole being will be revitalized and awakened

It will make you hungry for more truth and transform your sinful nature.

In verse 3, Paul gives us the reason why many people do not choose to believe in God. Self promotion and ambition stop humans from acknowledging the existence of God. They do not know God and the reason for their lives.  In verse 8, Paul locates where the word of God lives. It is in our hearts and in our mouths. Solomon speaks about this in Ecclesiastes 3:11, when he said that God has put eternity in our hearts. A commentary says that this verse means that we possess an innate knowledge that there is something more to life than what we can see and experience in the here and now. It just aligns with how God created us. He made us in his own image as Genesis 1 says, man and woman alike are all made in the likeness of God. God didn’t create animals in his image, but humans. If he created us like him, we have a spirit and knowledge that knows God, who is our Maker. If Adam and Eve didn’t sin, we will still have that knowledge of a Higher Being who made us, but sin thwarted that and made it look like we can be on our own, giving ourselves our own glory instead of praising and worshiping God.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to confess the word of God and not just read it as this account explains?

JOHN 7 IF YOU DO GOD’S WILL

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August 23

JOHN 7

16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’swill, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” – John 7:16-24

JOHN 7 IF YOU DO GOD’S WILL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you struggle to obey God’s will

Pride is lurking inside you to defy him

The absence of humility leads to mutiny

By nature, man resists God because of rivalry

He is envious of God’s power, so he defies him

But if you do God’s will, you will be free from sin

Only your creator knows what is best for your life

If you don’t submit to God, you open doors for strife.

According to sources there are over 100 bible verses on obedience and dozens of other key verses that refers to it. Why does the bible talk so much about obedience? The laws of the Lord require obedience. Without obedience, the fulfillment of his promises cannot happen. Many people think that laws and commands are about making one’s life hard and difficult. These people who have this mindset do not see the big picture about the function of these laws.  They serve as protection against the bad and to keep living peacefully. This is how the civil and government laws were made. They were to punish those who do evil and give justice to those who are being oppressed and treated unjustly. When we are given laws, it is for our own good, but the enemy has thwarted and twisted the laws because Satan wants to proliferate evil. In the book of James, he mentions that obedience is the prerequisite for the devil fleeing away from us. We cannot resist the tactics if we don’t believe and follow God’s protective plan through his laws. We are opening doors for the enemy to infiltrate our minds and hearts through disobedience. That is exactly how Adam and Eve were enticed to go against the prohibition to eat from the tree of life.

In this account, John narrates Jesus’ response to the religious leaders about his teachings. These insecure Pharisees question the truth because they do not have it. So, Jesus told them that if they follow God’s will, they will know that what he is teaching is from God his Father himself.

REFLECTION

  • What happens to those who claim they are Christians but never follow God’s commands?