accept and obey
“Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure the wrath of God.” —John 3:36
We obey what we accept, as per Jesus (see Jn 3:33). Do we accept God’s testimony about His Son, Jesus? (Jn 3:32) Or do we accept the values of the modern world, disbelieve God, and “make Him a liar”? (1 Jn 1:10; 5:10)
What we accept, we obey. If we obey God, He gives us the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32), and “He does not ration” the gift of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:34).
You’re obeying someone, even if you think you are independent. Whose voice do you accept and obey, the voice of God or the voice of “the god of the present age,” that is, the devil? (2 Cor 4:4) There is a cosmic and earthly battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. In light of this spiritual war, partial obedience to God is actually disobedience (see 1 Sm 15:1-24).
Therefore, what do you accept? Who will you obey? God doesn’t ration the Spirit; we do. Will you stifle the Holy Spirit by putting up a “spiritual umbrella”? (see 1 Thes 5:19) Accept God’s testimony through the Church and her Bible; obey God; “receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22).
Prayer: Father, You have spent centuries revealing Your testimony so I could have the opportunity to decide freely about Jesus. “I do believe!” (Mk 9:24) Pour out Your Spirit on me so I may obey You fully (Jn 3:34).
Promise: “Whoever believes in the Son has life eternal.” —Jn 3:36
Praise: Bill, a college student, read the writings of the early Church Fathers out of a desire to grow closer to Jesus. He began to hunger to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and shared his discovery with his entire family. They all converted to Catholicism together. Now Bill is a Catholic priest.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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