In Obedience and in His Word

We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice]. (Acts 5:29)

If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. (John 15:10)

If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. (John 14:15)

And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).

Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. (1 John 2:3-4)

But He said, “On the contrary, blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it. (Luke 11:28) It is written, 'One must not live on bread alone, but on every word coming out of the mouth of God.' (Matthew 4:4) Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and fear [and worship] Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect]. (Deuteronomy 8:6)

The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts], And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever. (Psalm 119:160) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8) But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying]. (Proverbs 11:18) Listen carefully: a sower went out to sow [seed in his field]; and as he sowed, some seed fell beside the road [between the fields], and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and at once they sprang up because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and thorns came up and choked them out. Other seed fell on good soil and yielded grain, some a hundred times as much [as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.(Matthew 13:3-9) Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate]; Reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, For it is time to seek and search diligently for the LORD [and to long for His blessing] Until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you. (Hosea 10:12) Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown]. (Proverbs 11:25)

Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. (Galatians 6:9) They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.

He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting],

Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)