God revealed the gospel to us not only for our salvation from our sins, but “to bring about the obedience of faith” (RO 16.26).
Faith leads to obedience; obedience eventually produces feelings. In faith we obey God, even when we don’t feel like it, trusting that feelings will follow. Faith is the engine of the train and feelings are the caboose.
Corrie ten Boom discovered the principle of the obedience of faith.
While speaking in a church in Munich in 1947, she was approached by a man whom she recognized as a cruel guard from the Ravensbruck concentration camp where she and her sister had been sent after being arrested for hiding Jews in their home during the Nazi occupation of Holland.
Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: “A fine message, fraulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!
It was the first time since my release that I had been face to face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze.
“You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk,” he was saying. “I was a guard there. But since that time,” he went on, “I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein–” again the hand came out–”will you forgive me?”
And I stood there–and could not. Betsie had died in that place–could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?
It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.
For I had to do it–I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. “If you do not forgive men their trespasses,” Jesus says, “neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. “Jesus, help me!” I prayed silently. “I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.”
And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.
“I forgive you, brother!” I cried. “With all my heart!”
For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then. (© 1972 by Guideposts Associates, Inc.)
Faith obeys, feelings follow. Where do you need to obey God in faith today?
photo of Corrie ten Boom by www.radiotheatre.org/images
Wow Mark,
I must have needed to hear this today! In my devotion this morning it was all about resting faith and obedience. One of the standout statements was “God delivers through our obedience; every act of God in the history of Israel is precipitated by an act of obedience.”
I liked what you said about faith obeys and feelings follow, so many times I’m just not “feeling it” I want to be obedient but so many times my deceptively wicked heart wins out and emotions score another point!
I long to let the objective truth of God’s word govern my life and not the subjectivity of my emotions, I’m definitely a work in progress!
Thanks for another wonderful post this morning!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
That was excellent – thank you. What a wonderful example of simple obedience. Sometimes we must obey because we know that it is the right thing to do- although it may be hard. Even though the first step of obedience was simply because we knew what we must do, God can then transform our hearts as a result of that act of faith.
Hey Ron,
Thanks for your encouraging comments. I’m with you – I often don’t feel like obeying. I have found that when I pray and ask Jesus to give me the desire to do whatever it is I need to do, he comes through, tho sometimes like Corrie I need to simply start obeying.
Wendy,
Yes, if only we could always remember that Christ’s commands are not burdensome – and when we step out in faith we find that his power comes through to change us.
This first appeared in her book Plenty for Everyone, an account of her travels and live the first few years after the Second German War. As I read it the first time, I had to put the book down. I’ve never read a more powerful account of true forgiveness and its healing power. Imagine if this power were fully released in our culture? The power to both ask for and extend forgiveness when we have offended one another. We would soon live in a very different world. Thanks for dragging this back out of the mists of time.
Hi lewsta,
I believe I heard Corrie tell this story once years ago, while she was still alive. I was glad I was able to find it. I used it in a message I gave to our campus group last week, and was moved to tears as I shared it.
Thanks for this. I think I’ve heard this story before, but thanks for emphasizing the obedience first, feelings second aspect. I like this: “But forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
I think I was wondering about how to get a mindset change, and may have even asked for direction with that in praying about the issue with someone. Then I briefly brought up the issue (loosely) to my mom tonight, and she immediately directed me to James 3:13-18. I just feel so glad that she pointed out these verses to me. Even though I know that when certain thoughts come to me that they are not good, I still often let them guide my speech, which in turn bring someone down.
I am hoping the next time I think destructive thoughts of a particular nature I’ll cling to these words. There is power in God’s Word. I may not be able to produce feelings of peace on my own, but if I meditate on this Scripture, how “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere,” perhaps those feelings will follow. Sure those qualities (peace, gentleness) may not be my immediate response when the thoughts pierce, but, if I meditate on this, perhaps God will transform me through them or in some other way. While it would be more comfortable to not have THIS problem (why can’t it be something else…?), it is exciting to think that there is power in God’s Word and to think there is hope for change.
For me regarding this issue, perhaps it will be obedience first (meditating on these Scriptures, I hope), and feelings second (a mindset change, I hope…). I hope to contemplate these words in the future, anyway..
Anyway just wanted to share the excitement and relate the concept to a current struggle.
Hi Rachael,
Thank you for sharing this. I want to encourage you in concert with your Mom. If you continue to meditate on Scriptures like the one you shared, God’s word WILL change you and you will gain increasing victory, joy and peace. The Word of God is powerful and does a work in us. There’s great hope for you and all of us weak sinners because we have a mighty Savior!
Hello,
I am editing a low budget documentary on several women who have gone through difficult times and how they came out of it. Unfortunately , it is not a Christian film, but there are two women who tell their stories and give God all of the glory. With that being said, I’d like to use a photo of Corrie Ten Boom alongside one of here quotes. Can you assist me with this? the highest resolution is needed,
Thank you very much,
Maria