UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE OF OBEDIENCE TO OBTAIN THE MANIFEST PRESENCE OF GOD
Jesus promised to manifest Himself to those who obey Him.
John 14:21 NKJV
(21) He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE
We see this manifested in the life of Moses as he obeyed the instructions from the Lord
God gave Moses Specific instructions regarding the arrangement and assembly of the tabernacle.
In Exodus 40:1-15 NKJV God gave Moses Specific instructions regarding the arrangement and assembly of the tabernacle. If we continue reading we find that in Exodus 40:16-33 it shows how Moses obeyed God perfectly.
The consequences of Moses’ obedience were the manifestation of the presence of God.
Exodus 40:34-35 NKJV
(34) Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
(35) And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
We see another example of this in the life of ABRAHAM.
God manifested His presence to Abraham whilst Abraham obeyed God.
Genesis 12:7 NKJV
(7) Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 17:1 NKJV
(1) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.
Genesis 18:1 NKJV
(1) Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.
However, we must also note that Abraham experienced no manifestation or visitation from God when in a time of famine he went to Egypt in disobedience to His original call.
Genesis 12:10 NKJV
(10) Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.
THE DEMAND OF GOD TOWARDS OBEDIENCE
OUR ATTITUDE IN OBEDIENCE
Obedience to God is not based on law but flows from your love relationship with God. We need to have the following attitudes in obedience: –
- Unchanging attitude
Philippians 2:12 NKJV
(12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV
(2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
- Earnest attitude
Psalms 119:34 NKJV
(34) Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:69 NKJV
(69) The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
- Non – compromising attitude
Acts 5:29 NKJV
(29) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
- Enjoyable attitude
Romans 7:22 NKJV
(22) For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
- Obstinate attitude
Joshua 1:7 NKJV
(7) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Christ-like attitude
1 Peter 2:21 NKJV
(21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
- Enthusiastic attitude
Isaiah 1:19 NKJV
(19) If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
(8) Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Obedience to the commandments of Jesus will manifest God’s presence in your life.
SOME OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS ARE:
- Water baptism
Matthew 28:19 NKJV
(19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- Breaking of bread
Luke 22:19 NKJV
(19) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
- Love for the brethren
John 13:34 NKJV
(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
- Witnessing – making disciples
Matthew 28:19 NKJV
(19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The disciples were obedient to the task of witnessing – the result is seen in the following scriptures: –
Mark 16:20 NKJV
(20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
If you want to pursue a deeper understanding of what obedience entails I would encourage you to have a look at my book called Doctrine of Obedience that is available from Amazon.
You can also obtain the book from my bookstore on my Website.
Grace and Peace to you until next time.