Life on earth is a time of testing. It is a probationary period. What is the purpose of the troubles we experience continuously in the world? These pains and dreads discipline us; they teach us obedience to the Father; they drive out of us the love of the world. Obedience! We learn obedience to God through the things we suffer. As was true of the Apostle Paul, when we are faithful in our prisons and sufferings other people are blessed.

We Christians suffer many tribulations and pains throughout our discipleship. It is a comfort to know that when we are serving the Lord diligently our troubles are not chance occurrences or pointless harassments but the disciplining hand of the Lord.

We are God's children. God is our Father. God is teaching us obedience—perfect obedience to Himself. God will not tolerate disobedience in any of His sons.

King Saul lost his throne through disobedience. The Lord had commanded Saul to totally destroy the Amalekites and all their livestock. But Saul spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, plus the best of the livestock.

When the Prophet Samuel came, Saul blamed the people. Saul protested that the people had kept the animals alive in order to sacrifice them to the Lord. When we disobey God we often put the blame on other people.

Samuel declared to Saul that obedience is more important than sacrifice:

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of sorcery, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (I Samuel 15:22,23)

So it is today. There are many who are "praising" Jesus and calling Him Lord, Lord but are not doing what He says. They are not obedient to God but are hoping to make up for their disobedience by praising the Lord.

Fervent, enthusiastic worship is one of the most important activities of an assembly of saints. Fervent worship is necessary if we are to please the Lord. But strict obedience to God, to both His written Word and specific, personal guidance, is more important even than praise.

Obedience to the Father is the basis of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is manifested in doing God's will in the earth as it is performed in Heaven.

Obedience must be learned and it often can be learned best through suffering.

The main lesson we learn on earth is the knowledge of the Holy One of Israel, that is, complete trust in the faithfulness of God and stern obedience to His will. The result of trust and obedience is the Presence of God, which is the only true holiness.

Iniquity can be removed from our personality in a moment while we are on earth or in the spirit realm.

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. (Zechariah 3:4)

To be continued.