THE WEBSTER'S Dictionary defines "obey" this way:
To carry out the orders of; to execute, as an order.
To be ruled or controlled by; to follow the guidance, operation, etc., of..
Sounds convincing.
Right?
Wrong!
Why do we refuse to obey our Philippine laws, our supervisors, our traffic rules, our teachers and our parents?
What has happened to our respect for lolo and lola?
Does our generation practice discipline and obedience?
Are we willing to follow the guidance and leadership of others?
For most people, the honest answer is "no."
Our generation has been blasted with negative Western values and influences.
We are influenced by the disobedience and rebellion we witness in our imported movies and videos.
We eagerly read foreign books and newspapers that lead us to feel free to live our own lives without respect or obedience to our traditional values and rules.
Our cousins and classmates, living wealthy independent lifestyles in American cities like Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Dallas and Chicago, show no respect and obedience towards their mothers and fathers.
Likewise, their lolos and lolas are treated with disrespect,neglect and contempt.
Take heed!
l am convinced we have a tragic moral and spiritual problem threatening to consume our nation like some foreign disease.
Moral decay and disobedience from foreign cities have crept into our beloved Philippines.
Unfortunately, this moral decay is slowly spreading to the most remote provinces, cities and municipalities.
This horrible spiritual sickness does not go unnoticed, however. Listen to Jesus' warning for those who refuse to obey Him:
I have already told you, but you would not believe me... you will not believe, for you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:25-27
According to St. John, those people refused to believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world. They were not willing to accept Jesus by faith alone.
They did not trust and rely on Jesus alone. Instead they requested more proof that He is the Savior of the world.
Even today, many of us still insist that Jesus prove His divinity to us. We demand signs and wonders such as miraculous healings. We seek guidance from our images and spiritual leaders, hoping to find the real Christ.
Unfortunately, our earnest religious works actually hurt us, not help. That is why Jesus says to those
who refuse to surrender to His voice:
you are not my sheep.
John 10:26
Jesus explains:
My sheep listen to my voice. . . and they follow me.
John 10:27
I just read several interesting historical stories about Americans living in the Philippines around the year 1900.
One American humorously claimed "a carabao has an inborn prejudice against white men." Another story recounted:
While walking alone in a bario after sunset, an American was suddenly attacked by an angry carabao. Fearing for his life, he quickly climbed a nearby tree to escape the carabao's wrath.
As darkness fell, he attempted to climb down from the tree past the sleeping carabao. Each timne he attempted to escape past the carabao, it awoke and sprang to attack. Alone and in a remote area, he slept the entire night up in the tree.
At last, dawn arrived. Soon a small Filipino girl about four years old arived and greeted the carabao.
Gently, she slipped a rope around the carabao's neck and led him off without the slightest difficulty.
Emily Hahn, The Islands
Do you understand the message from that humorous historical story? The huge carabao, feared by foreigners, recognized the little Filipino girľ's voice and followed her gentle touch.
The carabao recognized his master's voice.If you want to discover God's saving grace, you must be willing to recognize the Master's voice and follow His gentle touch.
You must be willing to surrender to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Salvation comes to you when you surrender to Jesus as Lord by giving Him complete control of your life.
Jesus warns you, however
Not everyone who calls me "Lord, Lord" will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.
Matthew 7:21
Remember, a true Christian bears the Lord's voice and follows Him in total obedience.
Salvation is not just saying you are willing to give your life to Jesus. Please consider these thoughts about
salvation:
Salvation comes through confession of your sins to Jesus.
Salvation comes when you turn away from your sins by repenting.
Salvation comes through a change of mind towards your sinful life.
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation means you surrender complete control of your life to Jesus.
Salvation comes because God's Son, Jesus Christ, died to pay the penalty for your sins.
Like the carabao responding to the little girl's voice, Jesus children recognize His voice and obey Him.
Remember, Jesus says
My sheep know my voice . . . and they follow me. John 10:27
Can you hear Jesus' voice calling you? Are you willing to trust His gentle touch? Do you have faith in His saving grace?
Remember, a true Christian hears the Lord's voice and follows Him in total obedience.
Are you following Jesus?
Answer in Comments Section below.
-Orchidaceae