What if an army were run with the same lack of obedience, order, and discipline that we often see in the local church? It would never win a war. If soldiers attended drill whenever they felt like it, they would never be equipped to face the enemy. If recruits disobeyed their officers’ orders the way some church members disobey the Word of God, they would be court-martialed.

A soldier obeys primarily out of loyalty and fear. But a Christian has much higher motives for obedience: God’s love and Christ’s return. A commanding officer does not require his men to love him; but if they do, they will respect and obey him with greater diligence. The history of warfare records heroic deeds done by men who loved their leaders and willingly died for them. Our Saviour loved us and died for us. Can we not obey Him?

Today’s verse: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).

Study: John 12:26; 13:17; 14:15; 14:21; Ephesians 4:1; 6:6-8.

Action assignment: Confess your love to God and ask Him to help you keep His commandments today. Find a hymnal if you can and sing all the stanzas of “Trust and Obey.”

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in