How Far Do I Go in Obeying Christ?

“How far do I go [in obeying Christ]? To be brutally honest, as far as I am safe. As far as I am in control. As far as the risks feel manageable. As far as my sphere of certain competence will take me. And consequently, in my secret and most honest moments, I sense it doesn’t take me very far at all.”

- Gary H. Haugen, Just Courage

Knowing God through Obedience

“All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.”
John Calvin, Institutes

The truth of this principle is expressed in John 14:21:

“He who has my commandments and keeps them,
it is he who loves Me.
And he who loves me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (NKJV)

The manifestation of Jesus is on the other side of knowing and keeping his commandments. What, then, is theology and biblical scholarship that is not born out of obedience?

(Originally posted Aug 04)