Evangelical Obedience # 7

Evangelical Obedience # 7

Sincere obedience necessarily presupposes regeneration - for filial submission can proceed only from a real child of God. A spiritual life or "nature" is the principle of that obedience, for when we are renewed by God, there is newness of conversation. "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit" John 3:6) - disposed and fitted for spiritual things. Yet even after renewal, there still remains much ignorance in the understanding, impurity in the affections, and perversity in the will yet - so as grace prevails over nature, holiness over sin, and heavenliness over worldliness.

"But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days" (1 Kings 15:14). Though God writes His law on our hearts - yet as Ezekiel Hopkins pointed out, This copy is eternally durable - yet it is but as writing upon sinking and leaky paper, which in this life is very obscure and full of blots." It is also termed, "obedience to the faith" (Romans 1:5), because without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)" (Heb. 11:6) - yet how feeble our faith is! It is therefore an obedience which is performed in reliance upon Christ's mediation (Rev. 8:3-4) and enablement (Phil. 4:13).

But now we must endeavor to furnish a more definite and detailed answer to the pressing question: How am I to determine whether my obedience is really sincere and acceptable to God? By testing it with these criteria:

First, is it one which, in its negative character, has a universal antipathy for sin? "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil" (Pro. 8:13) - such is the purity of that nature communicated to God's child at the new birth. Though evil still cleaves to and indwells him - yet his heart loathes it. His hatred of evil is evidenced by dreading and resisting it, by forsaking it in his affections and denying self, by bitterly mourning when overcome by it and by exercising the contrary graces, and cultivating the love of holiness.

Where there exists this fear of the Lord which abhors evil, it will make no reserve or exception, nor tolerate or "allow" any form or phase of it. Instead, it will aver with the Psalmist: "I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:104, 128), because contrary to the God I love, and as polluting to my soul.

Second, is it one which diligently endeavors to regulate the inner man - as well as the outer? God's requirement is: "My son, forget not My law; but let your heart keep my commandments" (Pro. 3:1). It was at this point, that the hypocritical Pharisees failed so completely, for, said Christ: "For you are like unto white-washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly - but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matt. 23:27). The Lord has bidden us, "Keep your heart with all diligence" (Pro. 4:23) - and that calls for the checking of sinful thoughts and the mortifying of evil imaginations; the resisting of pride, self-will, and unbelief; the scrutinizing of our motives and aims; and making conscience of temptations and occasions to sin.

Third, is it one which has the glory of God for its aim? The heart is very deceitful, and much of human religion is prompted by nothing higher than to be "seen of men" ( Matt. 6:5; 23:5) and gain a reputation for personal piety. How searching are those words: "He who speaks of himself, seeks his own glory" (John 7:18)! True piety is modest and self-effacing, aiming only at honoring the Lord and pleasing Him.

Fourth, is it one which has an appropriation of the whole revealed will of God, enabling me to say, "Therefore, I esteem all your precepts"? (Psalm 119:128). For the willful rejection of one of God's commandments, is the virtual rejection of all. Though we fail miserably in some, and keep none of them perfectly - yet do our hearts approve of every duty enjoined?

Fifth, is there a genuine willingness and honest desire to render full obedience unto God? If so, we shall not voluntarily and allowedly fall short of the highest perfection - but have an equal regard unto every divine statute, not dispensing with, nor excusing ourselves from, the most severe and difficult.

Seventh, is it accompanied by a conscience which testifies that though only too often I transgress - yet I loathe myself for it, and honestly endeavor to conform to the whole of God's will? Such as obedience God accepts and accounts perfect, because the falls are due to the subtlety of satan, the deceitfulness of sin, and the weakness of the flesh - rather than to a deliberate defiance and determined obstinacy.

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 8)