Keys to the Storehouse – Is Obedience Necessary?

Is it true that no truth is so unimportant that obedience to it is unnecessary? Many will say: “Oh, it is just a little thing! God is forgiving and merciful—He knows our hearts!” Is obedience necessary? Is there really a violation of truth so small that God will overlook it? Would it be heaven if all of the “small” sins were brought in?

We live in a world of people who are brainwashed by media and movies, who watch play-acting on television and copy those things until their lives reflect what they watch. There are so many fake people play-acting that this behavior now seems to be the norm. Sin has become so common that it has become normal behavior. “The traditions of men, like floating germs, attach themselves to the truth of God, and men regard them as a part of the truth.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1094, 1095.

Seriously contemplate on the following:

“There is no truth so small but is worthy to be known, no duty so inconsiderable as to render obedience unnecessary or indifferent. Remember Lot’s wife, who for looking back was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Nadab and Abihu were smitten with fire from heaven for offering strange fire (Leviticus 10:1, 2). Achan was destroyed for saving of the spoils against God’s command (Joshua 7:20, 21). King Saul was threatened with the loss of his kingdom for being disobedient to God’s command, ‘for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, 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 15:23). And the men of Bethshemesh, for looking into the ark of the Lord, ‘even He smote of the people above fifty thousand’ (I Samuel 6:19). Uzzah was slain for touching the ark of the Lord (I Chronicles 13:10). And the young man’s salvation rendered improbable for not parting with his possessions when commanded by Christ (Matthew 19:21). Ananias and his wife for telling a lie were struck with death (Acts 5:5). These by many are thought to be small sins; yet divine judgment attended these sinners, and it is but just that they who will not obey in little things should be denied a great reward.

“We see no such punishments in our days upon persons profaning the Sabbath. ‘Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil’ (Ecclesiastes 8:11).” Defense of the Sabbath, by George Carlow, 1847, 19, 20. Re-produced by HIS Vine Publishing Association.

Please do not think that any truth from God’s word is so small that it need not be taken seriously. Stand for truth today. Obedience is necessary.

Heavenly Father: The world around me has become so normal in my eyes that I have slipped and joined that which I thought was good but found it was drawing me away into thoughtlessness and little sins. Forgive me. Restore unto me spiritual eyesight that I may discern the devil’s floating germs in which the whole world has become entwined, allowing approval of little sins. I choose to serve You in truth and not serve the world in tradition. Please give me spiritual discernment and grace. Amen.