May 14: NOT KNOWING…
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
The gift of our will – the main component of being created in the image of God – is essential from Heaven’s viewpoint. As we peer into the life of this man famously known as God’s friend, we see that he exercised his God-given will when he heard the divine call: By faith Abraham obeyed… God called him out of the world’s most sophisticated culture at that time; a culture steeped in pagan influences and drowning in superstition. In reality, the worldly principles pushed back against every precept of God.
Abraham’s desire to please God only deepened his growing sense of a connection with Heaven. As he submitted his will to the molding of the divine hand, God patiently worked with him over years and decades. Our LORD is able to work with anyone who willingly submits to Him. Like Abraham, none of us can see all the details of the heavenward journey in God’s plan. Nevertheless, the things made clear to us are stepping stones on the divine path (Deuteronomy 29:29). Abraham knew that obedience to God was not a matter of human reasoning or debate; his course of action was certainly not readily comprehended by his family and friends.
In today’s world, many voices loudly discourage obedience to God. Some of them emphasize that obedience will be costly or inconvenient to others besides ourselves. But in reality, obedience is greatly valued by God (1 Samuel 15:22; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Jeremiah 7:23). Our prayers to Him can be rendered ineffective by our disobedience (James 1:6-7). But faithfulness renders our prayers effective, in accordance with His timing (James 5:15b; Revelation 5:8). The easiest “cop out” is the claim that obedience to Him in this or that area doesn’t matter to Him. This attitude sends a message to the world that we can “cherry pick” the things we like, and substitute our own ideas for the things we do not understand or care for (see Mark 7:7). Still others – especially among church leadership – declare obedience to be “legalism.” While God offers forgiveness for our sinful past, He also offers the power to obey Him in the transformation that accompanies sanctification (Proverbs 8:35; Matthew 19:17; Hebrews 5:9). If we slip, we are to get up (Proverbs 24:16; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1), but those professing His name who deliberately pursue a lifestyle of disobedience to Him will not be saved (Proverbs 8:36a; Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 10:26). God’s word links obedience to love, action, righteousness, spiritual maturity, power to resist Satan, blessings, and humility.* Abraham, the friend of God, exercised his faith not only by obeying Him, but in trusting Him for the outcome.
Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:14
*Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Joshua 22:5; 23:11; Luke 11:28; John 14:15; Acts 5:29; Romans 5:19; Philippians 2:8; James 1:22-25, 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-10; 1 John 3:22, 5:3