The subject of Obedience is probably THE most controversial and neglected doctrine in modern Christendom. Very little is in print today about how GOD views this vital subject. It is as if, collectively, we have expressed, "GOD says ...but I think." However, we are bombarded by many books, articles, and sermons on how we are now 'under grace, not the Law'; yet every one of the Bibles I have [13 in all] state in Revelation 14:12, that GOD's saints are those who "keep" His commandments. If obedience is obsolete because of grace, why are these folks commended for their keeping the commandments?

The devil and his cohorts primary targets are not those already in their service. Professing Christians, as well as YOU and I, are the threat. So the forces of darkness use every means available to them to lull us into a false sense of security; and their biggest success has been to exploit GOD's grace, and wipe out obedience. To a large majority "obey" is a dirty, four-letter word!

I will concede, fellow Warriors, that obedience is NOT the means of salvation. We are saved by grace through faith and not by any works or obedience. Having made that plain, clear, and simple, I must equally state that JESUS, who is the center of our redeemed lives spoke frequently about obedience! Why? Because this subject is important to Him and it is invaluable to us - not only today-our time, but in the future as well, and throughout all eternity.

Restrain the impulse to call this page fanatical or legalistic until you have read it all and have asked our Commander-in-Chief what He would want you to do.

So, what is obedience and how do we do it? To know exactly what constitutes the meaning of obedience we need to study our 'Manual of Arms' , the Bible, carefully. Several verses are printed out for you so that there can be no misinterpretations or misunderstandings.

As you read these, note how distinctive the word love is connected to the word keep [which is defined by Webster's New World Dictionary as "obey."].

All the writers make it very plain that this is what Christianity is really all about. It is the effect of our love that is the works of obedience.

Let me take you a step further in understanding this concept. Remember that we are looking at love/and obedience. Human love finds no strain in doing things to please the one and only object of our affection. Brides and grooms do not count it a grievous duty to make each other happy; you won't find them fulfilling their vows because state laws require them to do so. In fact, they do much more for each other than the law requires. Why? The answer is obvious, because they love each other deeply.

Please notice that this should also be true in our love relation with JESUS CHRIST. Christians will not merely keep, or obey, the outward requirements of GOD's Ten Commandments, but they will seek to do everything which pleases Him. This involves searching the Scriptures for indications of His will, because they know that genuine love will always be giving the advantage rather than taking it.

We are not saved because we keep GOD's commandments, but we keep our Commander's commandments because we are saved and we love Him!

"Okay," you say. "I understand so far. But why is it so necessary for Prayer Warriors to understand this?"

There is a vital blessing for all those who love GOD and keep His commandments, we read about it in 1 John 3:22, it says: "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

You want your 'whatsoever prayers' answered, than keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing to Him. As Charles Stanley says in his study: 'Obedience: The Test of Our Love'  "Jesus said, 'If you love Me, you will keep [or obey] My commandments,' that means there are no substitutes, no acceptable excuses."