„The nature of prophecy is to disturb, upset and cause change. Not many of us enjoy change, so prophecy often encounters resistance. Elijah’s ministry was disturbing, upsetting and caused change in his days. This great father figure raised up a genuine prophetic remnant at a time of nationwide decadence.” (from David Davis’ book “Elijah’s legacy”)
The whole Bible is actually a prophetic message from God to mankind (apart from the history of his chosen people). I remember my time in the German army when I was an unbelieving alcoholic who was often locked up in military jail. Often there was “nothing” to read but the Bible. No other diversion whatsoever. So I read the Bible without being disturbed, upset and thus without it causing any change in me. Could it be that the majority of Christians doesn’t read the Bible? And that some of those who do read are not disturbed, upset or even changed? That is the “fruit” of false teaching and prophecy. For the false prophets proclaim the opposite, “Peace, peace, everything is fine as it is.” They calm, brush off and play down. If we speak of change, it must always begin with us!
This must result in a change in our thinking (Romans 12:2). For thought fortresses (“This is what I learned. This is how it was and is!”) are now deeply ingrained. We should and must tear them down in order to cause God-willed change (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
In the booklet “Stop. Emergency!” we already wrote about this but in the present edition of our news we want to give others an opportunity to express themselves. We mean those who we can also count among the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebr. 12:1). This should make clear that God has always wakened and called prophetic voices who were destined to proclaim his word – in order to disturb, upset and initiate blessed change. On the whole, these were men and women whom the majority of Christians did not want to hear and did not take seriously; those who in modern language wrote no best-sellers, weren’t famous bloggers and served only a small “flock” as influencers.
I was personally very strengthened and encouraged to read reports and testimonies from the lives of such dedicated followers of Jesus. Their messages and experiences have lost none of their relevancy. I was surprised that their description – written 100-150 year ago! – of Christians’ condition was sometimes exactly the same as in our booklet “Stop. Emergency!” God’s Word is of course much older and remains all the more up-to-date and valid!
I will begin with something basic and remind us of its importance in the Bible and thus in God’s eyes, as well.
Obedience (by Andrew Murray)
We begin with the story of Paradise, as we read in Genesis 2:16, “The Lord God commanded the man…” Later in Genesis 3:11, “Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Thus obedience was the sole virtue required in Paradise, the sole condition under which the man could remain there, the only thing his creator required of him. We read nothing here about faith, humility or love. This is all contained in obedience. The demand for obedience, which alone determined the man’s destiny, has the same importance as the claim and authority of God himself. In a person’s life obedience is the one thing necessary.
Now let us turn to the end of the Bible. In the last chapter of Revelation (24:14) it says,
“Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”
From beginning to end, from the lost to the regained Paradise, God’s commands are unchanging. Only obedience grants access to the tree of life and to God’s pleasure. If we now ask how it came to the great turning point – beginning with disobedience which blocked the way to the tree of life, to the obedience which restored access – we must keep our eyes on the Cross of Christ which stands between the disastrous beginning and the glorious end. We read in Romans 5:19, “Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.” Or Philippians 2:8-9, “…and became obedient to death. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place.” Or Hebrews 5:8-9, “He learned obedience…he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”
In all of this we clearly see that the total work of Jesus Christ’s salvation consists of restoring obedience to its proper place. Jesus’ wonderful salvation leads us back to a life of obedience. Only through obedience can the creature bring his creator the proper honor and regain the glory which the creator wants to share with him. From Paradise to Golgotha and on to the heavenly completion we hear only one voice, “Child of God, the first and last thing your God requires is simply complete and unchanging obedience!” (“The School of Obedience” by Andrew Murray)
This brief and simple but very profound introduction to the topic of obedience should be able to motive us to ask what place obedience has in my life. In what areas am I not thinking and living according to God’s will? For this we will look at several possible areas in the following pages.
W.W.
