Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
They keep watch over you as men who must
give an account.  Obey them so that their
work will be a joy, not a burden, for that
would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews
Chapter 13
Verse 7

Our Pastor is Rev Timothy Wood

Tim is married to Susan and has four children, Thomas, Bethany, Jonathan and David.
In his leisure time, Tim likes to play the guitar and he is a keen West Ham supporter.

Dear Friends,
 

This weekend we will be privileged to witness Caleb and Jonathan passing through the waters of baptism in obedience to God’s command. We will be keen to emphasise that this act of obedience will not save them – they are saved already by God’s grace - but I wonder if we have ever considered how closely obedience is linked to salvation?

Obedience is an unpopular concept today. The word “obey” has largely been dropped from the vows a bride makes to her husband on her wedding day because it is seen as ‘outdated’ in these more ‘liberated’ times. To a child, the concept of obedience may be linked to a list of dos and don’ts designed to spoil their fun.

We should not be surprised by the unpopularity of the concept of obedience because we are told in Ephesians 2v2 that our “nature is disobedience”. Adam’s sin was deliberate disobedience to God’s command and in Romans 5v19 Paul reminds us that through Adam’s disobedience all of us were born sinners. We are born with a nature that can do no other but disobey God. Those of us who are parents know this to be truth – who has ever had to teach a child to disobey?!

Yet, at new birth there is a dramatic change: a new nature of obedience is implanted within our heart. The Apostle Paul speaks of the “obedience of faith” which tells us that faith is regarded as an act of obedience to the gospel of Christ.

This holy seed of obedience is planted in the heart of the true believer but we must then develop it by co-operation with God. That is to say we must learn obedience. This learning and cultivating of obedience will demonstrate our salvation. A person who consistently refuses to obey God’s teaching, serve Him or meet with His people is hardly likely to be a truly saved person. A continued obedience in the life of the believer expresses his genuine relationship with God and understanding of Him.

Furthermore, obedience shows our love for The Lord Jesus Christ, as He taught us, “If you love me, you will obey My commands.” Loving Christ means obeying Him.

Finally, obedience is the way of peace and happiness. Just as disobedience leads to unrest, so obedience leads to blessing and peace.

May God make us all disciples in the happy school of obedience and may we obey Him always.

Yours in Christ

Tim