0816. Obedience and Fellowship

Obedience and Fellowship

"But He answered and said unto him that told Him, Who is My mother? and who are My brethren?

"For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in Heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother" (Mat_12:48, Mat_12:50).

The scene is one of those which at once holds our attention. The mother and the brethren of Christ stand near by, seeking to draw Christ away from His task. They fear He is overworking and wearied. Christ uses the occasion of their solicitude as an opportunity to speak an eternal truth. "Who is My mother? and who are My brethren?" "Whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in Heaven * * is My brother, and sister, and mother."

What did Christ mean? Simply this. The way to enter the inner circle of the Lord's heart life, is by obedience to His will.

Who would not walk with God? Who would not see the favor of His approving smile? Who would not seek to abide with Him forever?

To all such we bear record: The only way to walk with God is to obey God. Disobedience breaks fellowship. When we turn to our own way, we turn toward the far country. When we rebel and take ship to Tarsus, we go forth from the presence of the Lord.

To obey His voice and to do His will is to secure His favor. "To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey." If we take the place of bondslaves, He accords us the place of friends. Did He not say: "Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you"? Did He not say: "I call you not servants but friends"?

David made a grievous mistake when he received Absalom back into favor, while Absalom still had a rebellious heart. A disobedient child must be punished, not petted.

Let us read Joh_14:23, again, noting this time how obedience brings fellowship, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My Words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him."

What sweeter promise of fellowship do we want than this? Think of it! The Father and the Son making Their abode with us.

"If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love" (Joh_15:10).

What comfort! What joy! if we obey we shall abide in the place of love. Abide, dwell, remain with Him. No clouds to hide His face, no distance to break His presence. Christ will abide with us. The Father will abide with us. What more can we ask?

Under His wings I am safely abiding;

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him–I know He will keep me;

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;

Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR