OUTLINE:

Obedience of Faith
There’s a divine sequence that leads to blessings from God. (e.g. 2Jn 6; 1Jn 5:1-3)

John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

- AND -

Jn 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Obedience
Obedience isn’t just something we do, it becomes us. It is the preeminent feature of who we are in Christ. It establishes and confirms our abiding in the sphere of love. It’s a state of being, not a laundry list of “todos”.

Your Brand of Obedience
Do you obey out of pure fear of being disciplined?;
OR,
Do you obey out of respect, love, and gratitude for the One who saved you?
Motivation is everything.

The Obedience Litmus Test
Is our obedience “burdensome” or not (1Jn 5:3)? Our honest answer indicates whether we are riding or abiding (“riding” means just along for the ride, playing religion).

Jn 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

The Word Sanctifies Us
God’s good intention is that we be sanctified in truth. The efficacy of the Word is empowered by the Holy Spirit. In other words, our sanctification is a function of the Word. Absence of this Truth debilitates the process of sanctification.

“Big” Lies That Relegate Owners Slaves to Lots of “Little” Lies
• Sex is OK as long as you’re really “in love”
• Lying is OK when used to remain unoffensive
• The end always justifies the means
• Ecumenicalism promotes love, therefore it’s OK
• Judging of any kind is wrong (“only God can judge”)  

The pain we feel under the weight of Truth is the result of our flesh clinging for life to lies!

Integrity Between Two Hearts
1Ti 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
- AND -
Pr 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

The Great Commission
Mt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Integrity and Freedom
Without integrity to the Truth, there is no freedom. Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Lies (aka anti-Truth) are what keep people in bondage.

The Power of Truth Faith
Jesus had a peace that transcended all circumstances. At the core of this peace was His faith. He embodied truth (Jn 1:14) and therefore enjoyed perfect, ongoing freedom (ala Jn 8:32).

Read your Bible!

Jesus Read His Bible!
In obedience to His Father’s will, Jesus studied and learned the Word of God. “And the favor [grace - charis] was upon him” (Lk 2:40). “[God] gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6) - the humble submit to the Word of God and are blessed! Jesus is our perfect example.

Jn 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...

Jer 7:23
But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’

1Jn 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Lk 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Jas 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Ps 112:1
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Jn 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

The greatest experience in this lifetime is to abide in truth.