"Obedience"

The evidence for the reliabilty of Scripture continues to mount. Every major archaeological discovery confirms what the Bible says, providing the historical Biblical record with outside substantiation.

For example, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 provided manuscripts that moved our evidence for Scripture back 1,000 years. We discovered the Bibles we read are accurate reflections of those the ancients read. Ancient methods of transmission have not significantly altered the text.

Paul's confidence in God's word, which became the confidence of the Thessalonian Christians, can become our confidence. We can trust God's word.

Unfortunately, the evidence for the obedience of believers is not so convincing. We continue to prove that while Scripture is reliable, we may not be. There are far too many believers who know what the Bible says, but who ignore it.

How many of us have not read (memorized?) Jesus statement about "forgiving as we are forgiven," yet we carry bitterness in our hearts? How many have read, "let no unwholesome worrd proceed from your mouth," yet speak hastily, harshly, hatefully? How many have heard the call of God to "love your neighbor," yet have driven by the needy?

Our text this week speaks of God's word "at work in you who believe." The clear implication is "believing" means "obeying." And by contrast, "lac of obedience" is paramount to "lack of faith." When we refuse to obey the clear teaching of Scripture we demonstrate a lack of faith in the trustworthiness and wisdom of God (some disobedience is because of a lack of understanding, which is a different issue altogether).

The call of God is for obedience. He calls us to listen and then do what He says. He implores us to trust Him to know what is best. He longs for our faithful submission to His will, His way, His wisdom.