My Dear Friend,

What is the truest measure of being a real Christian? What is the surest evidence by which we recognize authentic believers? Or, more importantly, what does Jesus consider the greatest test of one being His true disciple?

Is it church attendance? No, many attend church who haven't the slightest faith, devotion, or commitment. They are merely religious and imagine their religiousness satisfies God sufficiently.

Is it giving? Well, it’s good for folks to put something in the offering plate. Yet many do so with no higher motive than to not look bad to those sitting next to them.

Is it participation in praise and worship? That is biblical. But many like this part of our meetings merely for the music, or to watch the worship (or performance) leaders.

What about mission activity? That is certainly good, since missions help fulfill our great commissions. But sadly, some take short term missions so they can boast of their foreign travels to their unspiritual, land-locked brethren.

Ministry, that must be it?! Well, sorry to have to inform you, but an alarming number of reverends have never been born again. These types attend seminaries and enter the ministry because they see it as a higher, more spiritual form of social work. And because they are not true Christians, they cannot reproduce true Christians.

What about conservative political activism? That is certainly where the action is these days. Yet here's the truth: many Christians love their causes more than their Christ. Participation in the Medieval Crusades did not make the participants true Christians (though they were promised salvation!), and neither does participation in our political crusades, however good.

Social work, is that it? Surely, lifting the poor proves we are dedicated to the Nazarene who spent so much time preaching to and feeding the poor? It may. Or it may not. Socialists, atheists, unregenerated do-gooders, and zealous Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses do the same.

So, none of these things, though good, marks us as genuine Christ followers. They are not what God's eyes yearn most to see. The most telling test in His sight is very simple and easy to understand. God wants obedience. "To obey" God "is better," than any other religious "sacrifice" we render Him (1 Samuel 15:22). Why?

In every act of obedience, even the smallest and simplest, God sees several vital, beautifully Christlike character traits at work. Let's identify them.

• LOVE. Obedience proves we love God. Jesus said three times if we love Him we should show it this way: "keep my commandments" (John 14:15, 21, 23). God desires our love more than anything, including our holding of precisely correct doctrines and creeds - vital as they are! We are never more loving than when we give God "obedience love" - and never more blessed, because He gives His love right back to us in the form of joy, peace, and contentment. Give God obedience love today.

• HUMILITY. Our obedience demonstrates and develops humility. As a man, Jesus "humbled himself, and became [fully] obedient" to His Father (Philippians 2:5-8). Thus, He humbled Himself as He obeyed; as long as He obeyed; and as far as He obeyed, even to the limit: humiliating public execution on a cross! There is no other way a son (or daughter) of men may humble himself (herself). Why is this so important? God cast pride (Lucifer) out of His presence eons ago and will never let it reenter. Forever! Only God's "little ones," or humble ones, will enjoy heaven: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little [pride-free] child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4). Let others live in hubris; you live as God's humble "little one" today.

• FAITH. Our obedience reveals our faith. Believing God's promises and warnings, we choose to position ourselves to receive the former and avoid the latter. Living faith always produces these life works, or corresponding actions - deeds of obedience to God that prove the reality of our professed belief in Him. Without them we are spiritually dead, faithless! "Faith without works [corresponding actions] is dead" (James 2:20). The ark Noah and his sons built was more than a means of escaping the flood. It was visual proof of their invisible faith in the invisible God who warned them of a coming visible judgment: "By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet . . . prepared an ark" (Hebrews 11:7). Are you building your "ark" of obedience today?

• FEAR OF GOD. The fear (awe) of God initiates not only wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) but also obedience! Anyone overawed at God's awesomeness quickly and joyfully does as He asks. No rebellion. No delay. No complaints. These overawed souls become awesome overcomers. They preach, and the lost repent. They teach God's Word, and Christians mature. They pray, and sickness ceases. They command, and demons leave. And their awesome lives and works bring others under the awe: "At this happening a deep sense of awe swept over the whole Church and indeed over all those who heard about it" (Acts 5:11, Phillips). Is your life filled and surrounded with the awe of God?

• TRUE WORSHIP. Obedience proves we are true worshipers. False worshipers bring offerings and sacrifices of praise unsupported by an obedient life. Knowing "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22), true worshipers build a sure foundation for their worship: steady obedience! This steady obedience - at home, work, and everywhere - is itself sweet incense to God. Then, additionally, upon this sure foundation they offer frequent sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, and worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). Why not build your sure foundation and offer your sweet worship today?

With these truths in mind, it should not surprise us that, after 30 years of quiet, unobtrusive, daily obedience in Nazareth, Jesus heard His Father say, "My beloved Son; in thee I am well-pleased" (Luke 4:22). And Jesus wants to say the same of us. So, what is it, then, that we should obey?

Specifically, the areas of our obedience to God are:

• The Scriptures, which apply to every Christian

• The call of God, which is different in every Christian's life

• The Holy Spirit's guidance, which is highly subjective yet, once confirmed, is as authoritative as Scriptures

• The Holy Spirit's correction, of our habits, attitudes, or other issues

• Biblical ministerial counsel, when rendered by divinely called pastors or elders

Reading this, some may object, "Obedience often seems so hard!" Indeed it is! But here is some good news!

With every new command God gives new grace - amazing grace - or divine ability, strength, and favor granted us without merit so we may easily and excellently do whatever God asks! God never asks us to do anything we are unable to do with His grace and while living close to Him. Christ informed Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Corinthians 12:9). So, Paul confidently concluded, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me [with His empowering grace]" (Philippians 4:13). Thus, the difficult becomes easy, the painful peaceful, and the impossible possible. And there's more encouragement.

God assumes full responsibility for the consequences of our obedience! Whatever difficulties arise - sometimes fast and furious - He is faithful to not only help us work through them, but also "cause" them, and "all things," to "work together for good" (Romans 8:28, NAS). Why? Our obedience has demonstrated we are among "them that love him" (Romans 8:28, NAS). This takes all the fear out of our obedience challenges. And that's not all.

The further we go in obedience, the more numerous, the sweeter, the more amazing God's wondrous favors become. He opens more inspiring insights from His Word. He "anoints our head" with the refreshing "oil" of His Spirit more frequently (Psalm 23:5; 92:10). He manifests more of His peaceful, permeating presence (John 14:21, 23). He releases more of His irresistible divine power to flow through our  prayers, testimonies, ministry of His Word, and commands of faith (against oppressing, evil spirits). He opens our inner ears, and we hear His still, small voice with greater clarity and frequency, in the early morning, late at night, in even our busiest moments. He gives us favor with people when we need their help to fulfill His calling or guidance. His Spirit shows us "things to come" in the world, the church, and our lives, when we need to know them. He fully activates the operations (gifts) of the Spirit He has personally placed in our lives. And He gives us His greatest treasure, the shalom (peace) of God, to gird, strengthen, and steady us wherever obedience takes us.

So, only one thing remains to be said. Pass your greatest test: obey God!

Obediently Yours,

Dr. Greg Hinnant

GREG HINNANT MINISTRIES