True believers in Christ will be known by their conduct and attitude, for they truly have new life!
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Word of God establishes the principles that guide the way we should live, and it is necessary to obey those principles. Answers to this lesson are at the bottom of this post.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO OBEY?
Read 1 John 2:3-6:
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
• It is not just knowing about Christ or completing a set of rules.
• It is obeying and living the Word of God (Verse 3).
• It is the evidence that we know God and dwell in Him (Verse 4-5).
• It is walking as Jesus walked (Verse 6).
• It is living the kind of life that God wants us to live.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT OBEDIENCE?
The Positive:
Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
1 Corinthians 10:24: “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
Romans 14:22: “Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”
The Negative:
Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
1 Corinthians 6:12: “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.”
1 Corinthians 8:9: “But take care that this deed of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Peter 2:16: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”
PERSONAL APPLICATION
Self-examination
When faced with a decision that will test your character and obedience, what should you do? The following questions will help you to examine your conduct.
- What would Jesus do? 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
- Would this be pleasing to God? Galatians 1:10: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
- Would this give others the opportunity to accuse me of wrongdoing? Philippians 2:15: “…so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…”
- Would this be a good example to other Christians? 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
- Does this show that I have more love for God? 1 John 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them.”
- Would Jesus be pleased if He found me doing this when he returns? 1 John 2:28: “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”
Areas of life to be examined
Answers:
- work, 2. Lord, 3. good deeds, 4. seek, 5. good, 6. neighbor, 7. condemn, 8. approves, 9. freedom to indulge in, 10. lawful, 11. helpful, 12. dominated, 13. deed, 14. stumbling, 15. evil