Introduction
This Newsletter discusses the importance of our obedience to the Word of God. Our obedience to God is a basic requirement of every believer in Christ Jesus if we desire to grow and develop in Him.
The disobedience of Adam
Adam, the first man, was given instructions by God and he was to observe them in order to live and enjoy his life to the full. However, he disobeyed God and sinned against his maker. He was then separated from God as a result of his sin. So He died spiritually and fell short of the glory that was given him by God.
In reference to the above, Paul writes that “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come” (Rom 5:14), that is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
The obedience of Christ
Jesus Christ was the Son of God yet He learned to be obedient by those things which He suffered while on earth (Heb 5:8). He was tempted by men and the devil but He remained resolute to be obedient to God. Believers are being encouraged to learn from the Christ who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest they get exhausted and faint in their minds (Heb 12:3). Jesus, being found in fashion as a man, never fainted in what He suffered. He humbled Himself and became obedient until death, even the death on the cross (Php 2:8)
Adam was tempted with food in the Garden of Eden and he fell (Gen 3:6). Similarly, Jesus was consistently tempted with food on the mountain during His forty day and night fasting but He remained obedient to God. For His obedience, Paul again writes: “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:17).
Therefore, as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, shall many be made righteous (Rom 5:19). Also, as sin hath reigned unto death, even so, might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 5:21). God demands our complete obedience but not only our sacrifices (1Sam 15:22).
Conclusion
Human beings are being encouraged to remain obedient to God for them to live eternally. The first man, Adam, died because of his disobedience to God, but Jesus, the second man, lives forever because of His obedience. Therefore, man does not need food alone to live but his obedience to God. Everything we experience in life must teach and urge us to live in obedience to the word of God.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you are strong but we are weak. May you empower us with your Spirit, to live to obey you as we walk with you. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. AMEN!