To know or to follow
We live in a time when it is increasingly easy to learn about God. We have access to the Bible in various languages, studies, sermons, apps, and Christian content daily. However, knowing the Word does not necessarily mean living according to it. True discipleship begins when what we know transforms the way we live.
The Bible warns us that faith cannot remain merely intellectual knowledge. God calls us to obedience, transformation, and a life that reflects His character. After all, it is not enough to know who Christ is; we must decide to walk with Him.
The enemy believes
"You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder!"
James 2:19 (NIV)
This is perhaps one of the strongest statements in Scripture. James reminds us that believing in the existence of God, by itself, is not enough. The demons themselves know who God is; they recognize His power and authority. What differentiates them from the children of God is that they reject His will and remain in rebellion.
This leads us to an important reflection. We were not called merely to accumulate biblical knowledge or to agree with spiritual truths. We were called to obey. The gospel transforms our way of living, our decisions, our relationships, and our priorities. Knowing Christ without following Him produces only a superficial faith. A true disciple not only hears the Lord's voice but chooses to walk by it daily.
Above God's grace
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
There is a contradiction when we receive God's forgiveness but refuse to forgive those who have hurt us. When we are loved by Him, undeservedly, but we decide who deserves our love. It is as if we are trying to establish a stricter court than God's own court. He who welcomed us, even knowing all our sins, calls us to offer others the same grace we received.
How many times do we demand justice for others while asking for mercy for ourselves? The Kingdom of God works differently. Those who understand the depth of the forgiveness received develop a heart willing to love, restore, and extend forgiveness. Not because the other deserves it, but because we ourselves could never deserve the love Christ granted us.
When we place ourselves above grace, we forget who we truly are: people reached by God's mercy. The cross levels us all. Before it, there are no superiors, only sinners redeemed by Christ's love.
Living the Kingdom requires obedience
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
The greatest challenge of the Christian life is not to learn more about God, but to allow His will to take priority over ours. The Kingdom of God daily invites us to let go of pride, self-sufficiency, and the need to control everything, to live in obedience to the Lord.
The enemy believes in God and often knows more of the Word than we do. But it is obeying and following that makes us Christians, little Christs. And this will not always be comfortable. Many times it will mean forgiving when we want to retaliate, serving when we are tired, loving when we are rejected, and trusting when we do not understand God's plans. But it is precisely in obedience that our heart is molded to be like Christ.
When we live only for what we think, feel, or desire, we place our own kingdom above the Kingdom of God. But when we choose to obey, our life begins to overflow with what we receive from the Father. The grace that reached us begins to reach others. The forgiveness we received transforms into forgiveness offered. The love we experience begins to be shared. And, little by little, we stop living for ourselves to live for Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light.
by
Raphaella Merces de Abreu
