Living In The Light

April 4, Of Obedience And Friendship

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
—John 15:14 LL 103.1

The work of sanctification consists of a cheerful performance of daily duties, in perfect obedience to the commandments of God. A failure to cooperate with Christ in the great work of redemption is a failure that all eternity cannot supply. LL 103.2

A person is received by God just as soon as he realizes that he has nothing in himself that will gain salvation. He must surrender himself as a willing servant to the One who gave His life to redeem him. When he loses all confidence in anything he has done or can do to save himself, when he gives himself up to be saved by Christ, he shows that he appreciates the sacrifice made in his behalf, that he has confidence to commit the keeping of his soul to God. Such a one can say in faith, “I know that He will keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). LL 103.3

It is our duty to render implicit obedience to the divine injunctions. Our faith must grasp the mercy and forgiveness of our sins. Then, believing that our sins are pardoned, we are no longer to walk in the path of transgression but yield ourselves to the will of God. Every day that we fail to do God’s will we rob Him who has said, “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). LL 103.4

As we go on step by step, trusting, believing, receiving the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls, the way will be made plain to us. But even though we may not always be able to tell why we are called to do this or that, we are to obey without questioning. Abraham was called to leave his father’s home. He could not see the future, but by faith he went into a strange country, not knowing whither he went. He was fully assured that God knew and that all he had to do was to watch for divine guidance and move in obedience to the commands of God. LL 103.5

We are not to lean upon human beings. God is to be consulted. All our trust is to be placed in Him. But to walk by faith and not by sight does not mean that we are to close our eyes and see nothing. We must open our eyes as wide as possible, but they must be directed to the Savior. If we continue to look to Him, He will guide us into all truth.— Manuscript 50, 1893. LL 103.6

Further Reflection: Are you a friend of God? Do you obey Him in all areas of your life? LL 103.7