THE SECRET PLACE (6)

“But be DOERS of the WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” – James 1:22

Added to the discipline of listening, maximizing the opportunity of THE SECRET PLACE demands Radical Obedience: “But be DOERS of the WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jam.1:22). Hearing God is a most cherished secret of the Secret Place: “Today, if you will hear His voice” (Psa.95:7). That is, hearing God is largely a matter of the Will. We make the choice by setting aside time to listen quietly. This hearing is a “today” thing that we do. It says “if” because hearing His voice is conditional to quieting our hearts to listen. However, it must be linked with its corollary: Radical Obedience. This implies immediate obedience that fulfills God’s command to its fullest measure.

Radical Obedience surpasses complying to minimal standards. It involves listening attentively with a heart of submission and obeying. Implicit obedience starts, not in merely doing good or impressive works, but in sitting at the feet of the Lord and hearing His Word. Devotion to the Secret Place is the Believer’s first great act of obedience. Jesus revealed this: “Who is My mother, or My brothers” And He looked around in a circle at those who SAT about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whosever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and My mother” (Mk.3: 33b-35). Works of Service gain their spiritual energy from the furnace of a fiery love relationship at Jesus’ feet.

The true fulfilment of serving the Lord is discovered when we get first things first: First we SIT and LISTEN, and then we GO and DO: “Then He appointed twelve, that they might BE WITH HIM and that he might SEND THEM OUT to preach” (Mk.3:14). Some people want the benefits of living with Jesus without making the commitment. But even as the full joy of living together is found only within the context of marital commitment, the Joy of following Jesus is found only in abandoning oneself to every word that proceeds from His mouth.

Here are few of the profound benefits of hearing God’s Word and doing it:

Obedience unlocks Eternal Life: “And I know that His command is everlasting life” (Jh.12:50a).

Obedience sustains the Gaze of God: “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word” (Isa.66:2b). To tremble at His Word means: that we long for Him to speak; and tremble with ready diligence to act upon the word that comes.

Obedience increases Intimacy: “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” (Jh.14:21). Obedience is the proof of love, which brings incredible intimacy.

Obedience builds formidable foundations (Mt. 7:24-27). Those who walk in radical obedience are prepared to overcome all storms (Ia.48:18).