By Faith

Posted by Karah

DSC_4754Pause

Ponder this quote from A.W. Tozer as you begin your quiet time:

“The man that believes will obey; failure to obey is convincing proof that there is no true faith present.”

Think about people in your life who you have to obey: teachers, parents, and others in positions of authority. What’s the reason behind your obedience? Respect? Love? You just don’t want to get in trouble? Journal your response.

Skim over Genesis 6:1-22 in your Bible. As you read, underline any words or phrases that help you to understand what fueled Noah’s obedience to God.

Read Hebrews 11:7. Look for the word or words that describe why Noah obeyed God.

“By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” —Hebrews 11:7

Noah’s obedience was good, but meaningless without faith. Look back at Cain and Abel’s story in the June 16 devotion to refresh your memory. God knows what fuels your obedience to Him, and it matters. He knows when you’re faking it, and He’s not fooled when your motivation to obey is more about having a good reputation or the fear of getting caught than honoring Him.

It’s easy to get the idea that your obedience to God can earn you favor with Him. But that’s not what Hebrews 11:7 describes. God warned Noah that destruction was coming and Noah obeyed Him, building the ark. Noah’s faith fueled his obedience, not the other way around.

The Point

Noah’s obedience flowed from His faith. Our faith should fuel our obedience to God, too.

Respond

What fuels your obedience to God? Examine your relationship with God and motives for obeying Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and confess any motivation that doesn’t come from faith.

Are there specific ways that you know God is calling you to be obedient to Him, but you haven’t taken any steps to do so? Now is the time to step out in faith. Jot down two steps you’ll take to follow Jesus in obedience in those areas this week.

For further study, read 1 John 5:3.

Behind the Story

Noah isn’t the only one described as obeying God because of faith. The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 records men and women whose faith fueled their obedience to God in the most difficult of circumstances. Clearly, faith is key to God’s redemption story. Faith brings a confidence in God’s promises and shows our trust in His character.


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