When Obedience is Put to the Test
"Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour." – 1 Peter 5:8
There is a moment coming at the end of the millennial reign of Christ that may surprise you. Scripture says Satan will be released for a short time. After being locked away for one thousand years with no ability to influence or deceive, he will be allowed to come out and do what he has always done. He will go after the hearts of people once again.
And what happens is shocking. Even after a thousand years of living under the perfect rule of Jesus, even after experiencing life in a world without evil, people will still choose sin. They will still believe the lies. They will still reject God. That tells us something important. Obedience without the opportunity to choose is not real obedience.
For a thousand years, everyone will follow Jesus because there is no other option. The source of evil will be locked away. But the second evil becomes an option again, hearts will be revealed. That moment will expose the truth about people who obeyed only because they had to, not because they loved the Lord.
What does that mean for you today? It means obedience has to come from a real place in your heart. You are not following Jesus just because you are told to. You are following Him because you believe He is worthy. You love Him because He first loved you.
The enemy still prowls today. He still whispers. He still tries to draw your heart away from what is true. But you have a choice every day. Will you follow the world or follow the One who gave everything for you?
Let your obedience be more than behavior. Let it come from a heart that has been changed by grace. That is the kind of faith that stands when tested. That is the kind of life that endures until the end.
There is a moment coming at the end of the millennial reign of Christ that may surprise you. Scripture says Satan will be released for a short time. After being locked away for one thousand years with no ability to influence or deceive, he will be allowed to come out and do what he has always done. He will go after the hearts of people once again.
And what happens is shocking. Even after a thousand years of living under the perfect rule of Jesus, even after experiencing life in a world without evil, people will still choose sin. They will still believe the lies. They will still reject God. That tells us something important. Obedience without the opportunity to choose is not real obedience.
For a thousand years, everyone will follow Jesus because there is no other option. The source of evil will be locked away. But the second evil becomes an option again, hearts will be revealed. That moment will expose the truth about people who obeyed only because they had to, not because they loved the Lord.
What does that mean for you today? It means obedience has to come from a real place in your heart. You are not following Jesus just because you are told to. You are following Him because you believe He is worthy. You love Him because He first loved you.
The enemy still prowls today. He still whispers. He still tries to draw your heart away from what is true. But you have a choice every day. Will you follow the world or follow the One who gave everything for you?
Let your obedience be more than behavior. Let it come from a heart that has been changed by grace. That is the kind of faith that stands when tested. That is the kind of life that endures until the end.
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