Immaturity and Obedience

The forgiveness of sin is not a process, an acknowledgement by God, neither your own thoughts or philosphies. One cannot learn spirituality. One must immerse oneself into the truth of God, otherwise it becomes an irritation which we endeavor to solve intellectually. Whomever is born again, knows it or is at least immediately willing to accept it, because he realizes that he should behave in this manner. God gives us the will and the ability to do (Philippians 2:13). Our spiritual union with God is His work or it isn't! Our co-operation in faith cannot happen on equal footing. We live in the flesh, on earth and exist in a three-dimensional world – but, God doesn't. Therefore, reflection doesn't enlighten us, but only obedience in faith – that is the key to knowledge! Whomever sacrifices a lot of time, effort, attitude and power for God, and remains disobedient, remains in the dark and partakes in mock battles. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). We don't do God any favours by doing things which God never asked us to do (perhaps with the best intentions) according to our own discretion. This applies especially to some or other sacrifice from which we hope to gain something – Keyword: answer to prayer! I cannot pressurize God through good deeds, praying a lot or fasting to put my own will through. If we are simply obedient, we will get what we need and desire at the right time (Matthew 21:22). We can't just “discover” something and enlarge our spiritual power and wisdom through all kinds of technicalities, tricks, relationships etc. in the spiritual level – God has to reveal and show it to us. And certainly not without prayer and searching. We are even able to learn through our own failures - for example to get up again and experience God's mercy. Obedience is important – because one can and must learn (Hebrews 5:8). However, ideally it is best for us to realize something ourselves. God knows it (Romans 8:28), however it is of no use to us if we don't understand it ourselves or if we don't want to accept it.

Belief without experiencing anything encouraging is more valuable than calculated optimism or through spoonfeeding principles. God can move and change everything – according to His will and in His time. Even Jesus submitted Himself to God's will and learned obedience through His sufferings (Hebrews 5:8). When we receive blessings through our obedience, the light appears in our daily routines, our spirits, our lives and our faith. Heaven opens to us if we seek, above all, the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). We do this through our obedience to God and our trust in Him. More specifically, we need to be obedient to the Gospel (Romans 10:16). We need to know God's grace, and understand that the obedience of Jesus assured my salvation (Philippians 2:8). We must be obedient in showing love (2 Corinthians 2:8-9), not indulging in our own desires and continue in the hope of grace (1 Peter 1:13-15). We must be obedient and ready to witness about the hope that is in us, thus have the responsibility to give an answer to anyone with regard to the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15). This applies also to regulations in meetings and worship (1 Timothy 2:1-15) and in the practice of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). We should continue virtuously, blamelessly with our daily chores, avoiding unspiritual, vain babblings (2 Timothy 2:15-16) in addition to other things which the Bible teaches. This should not be a burden, but precious and sought after in our daily routine – and especially then when we make mistakes. This is loving advice from our heavenly Father, who knows that we must have our own experiences in order to learn. We do not live under the law anymore. Paul wrote as follows to the Church in Rome: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

Jörg Bauer