Theme: Strengthening Our Faith
Topic: Obedience: An Act of Faith
Main Texts: 1 John 2:3-6, Hebrews 11:8-10, James 1: 22-25
Key verse: 1 John 2:5 – ‘But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.’ (NKJV).
Introduction:
Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to a life of obedience trusting in His sovereignty. However, we often struggle due to our reliance on what we perceive through our senses—sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. These senses cater to the carnal mind, which cannot please God. The carnal mind is opposed to the things of God and thus cannot support our spiritual growth or strengthen our faith. Today, we will explore how the chosen Scripture passages and others describe obedience. According to 1 John 2:5, obedience is evidence that we truly know God. John 14:21 indicates that our love for God is shown through our obedience. Hebrews 11:8 illustrates that obedience is both a result of faith and an act of faith. Finally, James 1:25 reveals that those who obey God are blessed in their actions.
Q1. (1a) Read John 14:15, 21, 23; 1 John 5:3 What does it say about obedience? (1b) Let participants discuss the relationship between knowing God and keeping His commandments (see 1John 2: 3-6) (1c) What does it mean to live as Jesus did according to 1 John 2:6? Discuss specific ways you can emulate Jesus in your daily life.
Paragraph 2:
The Bible clearly teaches that the only way to demonstrate and prove our knowledge and love for God is by obeying His commands. Moreover, it reassures us that these commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). God will not ask us to do anything beyond our capability. Our obedience is a measure of our sincerity. Claiming to know God without obeying Him makes one a liar, as stated in 1 John 2:4: ‘He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Abraham’s obedience was driven by his faith, even without knowing his destination. Despite the internal conflict from his carnal mind, he chose to obey God without knowing the outcome. His obedience was fueled by his vision of God’s ultimate promise. Similarly, Paul’s obedience to God through his severe trials was sustained by his desire to know God. He expressed to the Philippians, ‘Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ……that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death’ (Philippians 3:8-10).
Q2. (2a) In what ways did Abraham’s faith influence his obedience to God’s call as described in Hebrews 11:8-10? (2b) Share an example from your life where faith has led you to obey God even without knowing the outcome. (2c) Hebrews 11:9-10 mentions that Abraham lived as a stranger in a foreign country, looking forward to the city with foundations. How does this perspective affect our understanding of faith and obedience? How can we adopt a similar eternal perspective in our faith journey?
Paragraph 3:
Obedience to God should be active and consistent. Such consistent obedience leads to spiritual freedom and blessings. Simply listening to God’s word is insufficient; we must also act on it. Hearing without obeying is self-deception (James 1:22). Each act of obedience strengthens our faith and prepares us to follow the next command. Obedience draws us closer to God and deepens our knowledge of Him. As expressed in Psalms 9:10, ‘Those who know Your name, will put their trust in You, for You Lord have not forsaken those who seek you‘. Seeking God, knowing Him, and loving Him requires faith, as we have not seen Him, yet He calls us to trust Him as He guides us. Knowing Him and obeying Him is by faith and an act of faith.
Q3. (3a) James 1:22-25 warns against merely listening to the word without acting on it. What are the dangers of this kind of self-deception? What steps can you take to ensure that you are not only hearing but also doing God’s word? (3b) According to James 1:25, what are the benefits of looking intently into the perfect law and continuing in it? (3c) Share how you have experienced freedom and blessings through obedience to God’s word.
Prayer: Our dear heavenly Father, we thank You for showing us that obedience is possible through the coming of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. We pray that each one of us will appropriate the grace to obey You all the days that we live. Amen.