Page 26 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

26 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

The Test of Obedience

Understanding the Test
In a relationship with God, obedience is an aspect of trust. But obedience is
also an expression of love and a demonstration of a servant’s willingness to be
used in the plan of God. God will test our obedience frequently.
Very little of a minister’s life goes untested when it comes to obedience. In fact,
it is hard to think of an area or an occasion when a minister is not challenged to
choose between obedience or ignoring some principle of Christian living or faithful
servanthood. Sadly, many well-seasoned ministers who frequently passed this test in
their younger years grow lax and become less faithful in their example and ministry.
One trip through the test of obedience, even if successful, does not bring an end to
this challenge.

Why You Cannot Afford to Fail
The apostle John writes that if we say we love God but do not obey His
commands, we lie (1 John 4:20). Failure to obey God is tantamount to complete
failure of mission, for if we do not obey, what hope do we have that those who
follow us will choose better?

16 What has God required While we can only speculate about what God’s response would have been had
you to abandon to pursue His Abraham refused to obey Him in offering Isaac (Genesis 22), it is reasonable to
call to ministry? assume that Isaac would have been taken from his father by other means. God
will respond to our disobedience by removing whatever we place before Him.
Thus, obedience is not optional for the minister as the hope of those who follow
the minister’s example rests on the minister’s obedience. God will help and provide
for His people, but He cannot make the decision of obedience for anyone.
How to Get a Passing Grade
What steps does a minister consider when facing the test of obedience?
Firstly, the minister must be clear as to what God has commanded. When one
comes up against an issue that God has clearly answered in His Word, His
expectations are clear. But at other times, one may need to seek counsel or other
confirming sources to understand what God requires.
Secondly, obedience is a decision. Once one understands the will of God,
the only decision is to do that will. Justifying another route is trying to justify
disobedience. To avoid this temptation, the minister must seek and obey.
Thirdly, the leader must also avoid the temptation to justify a weaker response.
It is not hard to imagine Abraham looking for a way around God’s command. But
he did not allow himself to be sidetracked. His obedience was full and complete.
Finally, the leader must take the necessary steps to obey. As with Abraham’s
experience, the path of obedience may require many steps up the mountain. Take
the necessary steps and walk straight toward God’s command. Satan has a much
easier target if you veer from the path of full obedience.
The Test of Dependence

Understanding the Test
17 Describe the nature of One of the most difficult tests a minister will face is the test of dependence.
the test of dependence. This test measures who or what we may be leaning upon as we attempt to serve
God. As ministries grow, it seems easier to slip into dependence upon other
things, people or methods, rather than on God.