Now we know “enduring love” is the message to be preached around the world, that our prayers will reflect our new-found understanding like a Shofar sounding its specific message. It will tell God we are ready to deal with the darkness after which at a time only He knows, He will send Jesus back.

We will deal with those believers who insist that Jesus did it all and they need nothing further. We can get their attention quickly if we ask them if they have unforgiveness against anyone? Silence will likely be their response unless they are daringly honest. To which you can ask, “Will there be any unforgiveness in heaven?” “Well…no!” will be their answer. This leaves the question, “Do they intend to smuggle it in?”

To this dilemma we should address obedience versus works. This too has been a hindrance to our moving forward in Christ. Jesus said something curious in John 14: 4-6.

“And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, Lord we do not know where You are going , how do we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”

“Through” is Strong’s G1223 “dia” the channel of an act.)  Jesus is saying His Way, Truth and Life act as specific guides into eternity. What Way did He show us, what Truth did He teach us, what Life did we see Him receive after He exercised these guiding factors Himself?  The signal of our favorite TV show comes on a specific channel by a specific signal. You cannot see it otherwise.  Same with Jesus. He has established our channel, our “signal.”  His Way is our only way to enter, to receive eternal life. A river is sometimes referred to as a channel. The banks of the river guides the flow very specifically. If there is a specific signal or river, I must be tuned in or floating in it, to get what or where it wants to take me.  Jesus was referring to the “way” that characterized “where” He was going.

Thomas totally missed it. Jesus is saying do not be troubled you already know the road, the Way. There is no actual road to where Jesus went. The term was figurative, meaning mode or means. Jesus is saying I have taught you the Way of the place I am going to. You are already qualified through Me Thomas if you continue in the channel, the guidance of MY Way’s. They were not only the Words of eternal life, they are the ways of the kingdom where eternal life will be lived! They are the good news of the kingdom. The obedience of faith, will allow you to enter! (Romans 1:5)

To continue requires obedience. Reconciliation was given freely. Obedience is required to have life eternal.  This fact will distress many. We ave heard it said, “Choose life.” To do so choose obedience and employ and deploy the grace sufficient to accomplish your goal, your departure into eternity.

In the early postings #3 I wrote about John 3:36 (NKJV, NASB) “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

We also spoke to the using of the word “believe” twice in the KJV of this verse, and the confusion it brought since the Greek words mean something different than what we thought they meant. Check out that post # 3.

There are several scriptures involving obedience. Remember heaven has had one rebellion and there will NOT be another one. We are being tested to see if our impaired judgment (thanks to Adam and Eve) has been healed. This is proven by our obedience. Are our hearts given to Christ and His way, truth and life? In wisdom have we extended our view beyond the petty here and now to the wealth of God’s wisdom and the abundance of a love filled eternity? Without this vision, we perish.

Genesis 49:10 “…and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

Romans 1:5 ” …we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith…”

Romans 5:19 “…through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.” (Christ was obedient how can we not be subject to the same discipline?)

Romans 6:16 “…as slaves for obedience, …either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” ( death or life hinge upon obedience)

Romans 15:8 “except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.” (Obedience triggers the blessing of Christ)

Romans 16:26 “…according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all nations, leading to obedience of faith.” (God has an expectation that we obey. Why should He not? The Son of Man was able, and He empowered us by our belief in His resurrection achieved by His obedience!)

2 Corinthians 10:6 “…and we are ready to punish disobedience, whenever our obedience is complete.” (Of course Paul is saying, Judge not …)

Philemon 1:21 “Having confidence in your obedience…” (It is key to our success)

Hebrews 5:8 “Thought He was a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered.”(If Him why not us?)

1 Peter 1:2 ” (we are the) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace…” It takes three things and four actually. “God’s foreknowledge, a relationship with the Holy Spirit, sanctification to the point of obedience, and the blood of Jesus, without which we have nothing.

1Peter 22 “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,…” (the Truth told us what to do. Obedience, as we saw Him purify Himself, purifies us as He is pure.)

Leviticus 26:27-28 ” Yet in spite of this, you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me,..then I will…” (This is the same God who never changes. He is speaking of grace through Jesus in the New Testament so God only has to act if we totally refuse to obey. He is compelled to keep His Word.”)

Matthew 8:27 ” And the men marveled, saying, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” ( Again, if winds and sea obey, how can we not and why miss the blessing of directing our will towards the Fathers’ will? We have the same Father that Jesus lovingly obeyed. Resurrection life was His reward and that of those who would follow in like obedience.)

These are a few of many scriptures that can not be exempted from guiding our expected behavior. If creation obeys Him are we not also a member of creation? Has He not created us with an advantage over the wind and the sea. They have no will.  They have no choice. We must choose and it is a fearful one should we …

A call to guard our fellow-man is sounding around the world. Guard as you are guarded.

His ways can not be forsaken or we shall be. It will not be His idea. It will be our own doing.

It is His grace that we are being reminded. The distress, we must embrace. It is a sign for us.

Thank you Lord, and to all willing to speak, He waits,

Michael