RPG Adults
OBEDIENCE AND REDEMPTION ARE ONE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
1 John 2:3-6
Matthew 19:16-22
“… but if thou wilt enter into life,
keep the commandments.”
OBEDIENCE AND REDEMPTION ARE ONE
While Christ paid the penalty for redemption, man has the duty to be obedient. John said that we know that we know Him when we keep His commandments. At face value, His commandments refer to the Ten Commandments. This is true because His divine code is a summary of every command that God has given. Disobedience to God, while claiming to know Him, is a lie and there is no truth in anyone who lies. In contrast, one who keeps the Law of God, in him is His love perfected and he walks with Him. Walking after the steps of Christ is true obedience. There is no law against walking in the path of Christ.
God’s commandments are always the same and do not change at any time. In keeping the Word of Christ, according to the Apostle John, the love of Christ is perfected. Obedience expresses honour and love. The relationship we have with Christ is exemplified in the relationship we have in the family. The minors obey the superiors who in turn love the minors. This brings harmony in the family setting. Christ is the Lord of all and commitment to obey Him brings great joy.
The Apostle expressed it more clearly when he wrote, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6). Those who abide in Christ and walk as He walked are those who have first come to find salvation rest in Christ. When the Lord invited the sinners to come to Him, He told them that He would give them rest and that they would find rest unto their souls (Matt 11:28-29). The Apostle must have been one of those who heard Jesus and he repeated the same truth in his writings.
Jesus personally dealt with sinners who (though the outcasts of society) had repentance in their hearts as they encountered Christ. One example was Zacchaeus. Jesus said to him, “This day is salvation come to this house …” (Luke 19:9). And Jesus dined with him in his house.
THOUGHT: All sinners are saved by grace offered in Christ.
PRAYER: Lord, may I have a part in Thy offer of grace.