Obedience is the Natural Outcome

We should pay careful attention so that we don’t drift, that’s what the Book of Hebrews tells us is a good resolution.  The command has always been very simple: “Listen to Him” (that is, Jesus). 

It gets more imperative when we remember that all 3 “Persons” of the Trinity are at work here.  Jesus’ words come straight from the Father and arrive with consequences.  The third member of the Trinity, the Advocate (i.e. the Holy Spirit) has been commissioned with reminding us of everything Jesus taught which came from the Father. 

For the follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we are without excuse.  It’s time we obey the teachings we read and hear.  Obedience is the natural outcome of paying careful attention.

“23Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love Me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you.   26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:23-26)

Questions for today:

What types of things stand in the way of your obedience?

In James 1:22-25, Scripture says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it– not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it– they will be blessed in what they do.” 

In what way does obedience form the litmus test for paying careful attention?