“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all” (Proverbs 31:29). The virtuous woman excelled. That is, after all, what she strived for. But what made her surpass others? Her attitude! She had the heart of a servant. In all that she did, her main goal and desire was to please God!

As Christians we must become servants of Christ! “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (John 12:27).

How do we serve Him? By following Him, obeying His commands.  Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obey just the commandments that are convenient to us? Or just the ones that we think are a good idea? No, we must obey all His commands!

It’s so sad to see those who think that because they keep a few of God’s commands that they won’t go to Hell. I don’t understand where they get this logic. If you tell your children to pick up their toys and they only pick up two is that good enough? Or are you going to explain that you want them to pick them all up?

Partial obedience is disobedience. We can’t just pick and choose what we obey!

Think back on the Israelites moving the ark in 2 Samuel. God had given clear instructions regarding moving the ark when He gave them the instructions to build it. It was to be moved by members of the Levite tribe, carried by poles inserted through rings on the ark. They were not to touch anything other than the poles (Exodus 25, Numbers 3).

But instead of doing this, they place the ark on a new cart. It was new, so it was probably pretty nice. They must have thought that God would like this new cart. But they hit a bump and the oxen pulling the cart caused it to shake. Uzzah (who was close by) reached out his hand to steady it. Surely his intentions were pure. He was just trying to keep the ark from being damaged. But he disobeyed God. And was killed for violating this command.

We must obey all his commandments! And in order to do this we must be like those Christians in Berea. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). They were ready to receive the word– their hearts were open to learning the truth! But they didn’t just believe what Paul told them. They searched the scriptures to make sure that what he said was the truth!

By Ashlyn Bailey
Ashlyn and her husband, Ryan, have been married for 4 years. They worship with the Union church of Christ in Somerville, AL. She enjoys teaching bible class and writing on her blog Consider the Lilies.