"All right knowledge of God is born of obedience," wrote John Calvin. In his book, "Eat This Book," Eugene Peterson says almost every interpreter of the Bible has come to the same conclusion.
God's request of Abraham to circumcise all males must have seemed absurd to the male members of the household. Notice Abraham's comprehensive response. "On that very day . .." Delayed obedience is disobedience. "Every male in his household . . ." As for Abraham and his house, all would keep the covenant. Young and old were circumcised. Abraham was ninety-nine and Ishmael was thirteen. Those born in the house and those bought from a foreigner all kept covenant. This was the beginning of blessing.
God's next work in our lives begins with his grace and comes to fruition when we obey. Can we think of anything God has asked us to do that we have not yet done? Let's start there today. Our obedience certainly will have implications for others as well. But our disobedience would cost them more than they ever wanted to pay. We can't take the next step with God until we do the last thing he told us to do.
