“But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 10:31).
TEXT — 2 Kings 10:28-36
In th early 2010s, Sarah Thompson who lived in Atlanta, Georgia, USA was described as an active member of her church. She attended services regularly, volunteered in various ministries, and was involved in a small group. However, her commitment to her faith was often overshadowed by her pride and judgmental attitude towards others. She was quick to criticise and slow to forgive, demonstrating a lack of love and compassion. While she was outwardly religious, her heart was far from God. Essentially, Sarah was picking and choosing the aspect of the word of God she would obey. She focuses on external religious practices without cultivating a genuine heart for God.
The narrative about the life and exploits of Jehu represents a practice of incomplete obedience to God. Jehu was given the privilege to ascend the throne almost on a platter of gold with an express command of what to do. He pleased God when he exterminated Baal worship and its prophets in the land of Israel. God acknowledged his exploits and honoured him by offering him four generations of regal rights. That was where it ended because “Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: For he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 10:31). Jehu failed in that major detail which mattered most. He only followed the Lord halfway.
The enduring character in a truly regenerated child of God is continual and total obedience to the word of God. To claim that we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus but still choose what is convenient in His word to obey or not, makes our profession false.
We need to resist and reject self-will and self-management by following the Lord wholeheartedly and obeying Him fully. That is the only way we can please Him and be rewarded by God. It is also the only way to earn His commendation rather than condemnation at the end of life.
Thought for the day
Partial obedience is another name for disobedience.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
