“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selfs.”

In His word, God has given us direct blueprints on how to build our lives. Jesus himself spoke in a parable on what happens when we do not build on the Rock. We see what happens to Abraham when he doesn’t follow God’s command. Yet how quickly do we forgo God’s word and live life our way? Throughout this article I will go back and look at instructions God gave, how they were followed, and what happened afterwards. 

Old Testament Instructions 

One example in the Old Testament that we see God give instruction, and the Israelites follow exactly is in the building of the Tabernacle. The one instruction, and the one that honestly inspired this article, is God’s command to Moses in Exodus 28:33 – “And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about.”  Then, eleven chapters later in Exodus 39:24-25 it says “And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates.”  All throughout the account in Exodus of God giving the Israelites instructions and them following exactly as He gave them. However we see what happens when God’s instructions aren’t followed exactly as He gave them in Numbers chapter twenty. In 20:7-8 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.”  We see three verses later in 20:11 – “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.” And in the very next verse God speaks to Moses and tells him “Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”  God gives a harsh punishment to Moses for not following the exact instructions that were given. 

However, we see in many other locations in the Old Testament God gave instructions in hard circumstances and when they were followed, there was a reward for the faithfulness. The example I think of is Gideon in Judges 6 & 7. God gave him a small army, and then told him multiple times to send men away. Thus Gideon went up against the army of Midion with only three hundred men – and won. I think also of Abraham following God’s instructions in Genesis 22 to sacrifice his only son, Issac back to the Lord. Or even when God told Abraham to leave his home in Genesis 12. God tells him in 12:1 – “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.”   

God did not tell these people the outcome, didn’t tell them His plan, He didn’t give all the details.Yet they followed God blindly and were blessed because of it. 

New Testament Instructions 

Switching gears, let us look at times in the New Testament where instruction was given, how it was followed, and what happened based on how it was followed. I think of the account in the Gospel of John chapter twenty-one where the disciples have been unable to catch any fish and Jesus says in 21:6 – “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” He doesn’t even tell them what they shall find but they still cast the nets and verse six continues and says – “They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” Upon being unable to retrieve the net, the disciples then know that it is Jesus on the beach – but before then they knew not who was telling them to cast their nets differently. Yet they trusted blindly, and were rewarded.  I think also of when Jesus calls all His disciples. He tells them to drop what they are doing and follow Him. Simon Peter (Matthew 4:19) Andrew (Matthew 4:18-20) James, son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21-22) John, son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21-22) Philip (John 1:43) Nathaneal (John 1:47-50) Matthew (Matthew 9:9) Thomas (Matthew 10:2-4) James, son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:2-4) Thaddeus (Matthew 10:2-4) Simon the Zealot (Matthew 10:2-4) and Judas Iscariot (Luke 6:12-16) All twelve of those called to follow Jesus did not hesitate, or think twice. Even when Jesus tells them He will die, and they will be persecuted for His name, they still chose to stay with Him, and follow. Then, outside of the Gospels, in the many different letters written to the churches and others, there are various instructions and examples given and many warnings issued. (Please keep in mind, not all these are given in instruction format, however 2 Timothy 3:16 says that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, for righteousness.” Therefore I believe that anything that follows is given by God and able to be taken by sound interpretation, and applied to our lives. Also know that a lot of careful research, studying,deep thinking, and  prayer has gone into this specific section of the article.) 

In Acts 20:28-31, Luke tells the readers, specifically those in leadership, to watch over the flock God has given them to protect. Now, here he is speaking to the elders, however this can be taken and applied to our lives – for those currently in a position of leadership, or those who will be in one. Leadership is a mighty thing that God gives us, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Jesus himself talked about being a shepherd, and says in John chapter ten verse eleven – “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Now, obviously Jesus was referring to Himself here in this verse, however we as shepherds can ‘give our lives’ for our sheep. Not literally, but in a manner of speaking. I think of Matthew 16:24 – “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” When we are in leadership there are times where denying ourselves for the sake of those we lead is the best choice, but a hard one. As leaders we feel the need sometimes to rebuke the decision to be humble. Yet though it is hard, humility may be one  of the best things for a leader to exercise. In Luke 14:11 Jesus says “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  For those who don’t know, the word abased means to be brought low or humbled. God often has harsh ways of humbling us, doesn’t he? Even though in the moment it may seem harsh and cruel, in hindsight we should see His loving nature showing through. 

Hebrews 10:26-31 gives a very important instruction: to not deliberately continue sinning once we have discovered the Truth. To quote the verses – “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, and unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  How often do we make excuses for our sins? Even though we have found the truth, and know the truth, do we do as this verse says and willfully sin? This section of verses tells us what to expect for those actions: judgement. 

Second Timothy 3:1-7 speaks of what men shall be like in the “last days”, and we know what will come in the last days: judgement. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  Every time I read through that list I see so many things that apply to my own life. I am therefore challenged to examine my life and see where I need to change. 

In closing, I would challenge you as the reader to do a deep dive yourself. Read through the Bible and see where instructions for our lives are given, and see where you need to examine your life and see where change is needed. Personally in the research and prayer in writing this article I was convicted on many fronts. I would also recommend reading through the book of Romans very intentionally and with care. That is where my study currently resides, and it has been such a good time. 

God bless. 

(All scripture references were taken from The Ryrie Study Bible (Moody Press, Chicago. 1976) and in the KJV translation)