The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections  
Today's Devotional • Back to Home Page 

Forgiving one another... Ephesians 4:32

July 27
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
John 7:17
"If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine . . ."

Obedience First—Then Worship

Chambers teaches that spiritual knowledge does not come through study alone — it comes through obedience. If we are not growing spiritually, there is something in our lives we have refused to obey. Spiritual darkness is never random; it is the result of a place where we have said, "I will not obey that."

Jesus gave a clear example. If you bring a gift to the altar and remember your brother has something against you, you must leave the gift, go make things right, and then return. Obedience comes first. Worship comes after.

This is why forgiveness is essential in the Christian walk. We must forgive others, and we must not carry unforgiveness in our hearts. And we must forgive ourselves. Obedience and forgiveness walk hand in hand.

If the Holy Spirit points out something you need to do, do not argue, delay, or ignore it. Chambers warns that if we refuse the Spirit’s prompting, we become religious impostors — people who speak of God but do not obey Him.

If there is something in your life you have refused to obey, do not shrug your shoulders and hope it disappears. Jesus said, "First… go" He meant it. We must obey God.

Chambers says Jesus is essentially saying, "Do not say another word to Me until you make things right." We cannot carry disobedience and expect deep fellowship. God discerns the heart. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Personal Reflection

I was born in 1958, and until 2026 I did not understand this truth. I was not trying to obey God during those years, and I lived in spiritual darkness. I did not realize my whole life was one of blatant disobedience. I was just living my life—but with no yielding and no surrendering to His will—and wondering why nothing ever went right. 

Earlier this year, when I finally began to obey Him in small things—the gentle promptings to write, to forgive, to lay down burdens, to stop resisting—something changed. My life began to smooth out. My heart softened. My understanding opened. 

And when I finally surrendered, the Holy Spirit met me with open arms, direction, peace, and rest for my weary soul. 

I did not seek out this truth. Scrolling past my posts tonight, the Holy Spirit prompted me to take another look at this devotional, and I felt compelled to read it. In that moment conviction came, and I finally saw what I had never realized before.  

Obedience was the turning point.

It always is. 

Prayer

Lord, discern our hearts. 

You see what we cannot mend. 

You know the burdens we carry.
There are people who have something against me, 

and I cannot fix it because I did nothing wrong. 

I have tried, but the door is closed.  

What am I supposed to do, Lord? 

Show me what obedience looks like in this place.

If there be anything show me the error of my way. 

Guide me in Your way.
Thank You, Lord. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~ Quil

Special Devotional from Nov 27th: 

The Meaning of Forgiveness

Share God with someone today:

The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog

Visit the Free Resource Library  

Scripture References

1. Obedience Precedes Understanding
John 7:17 “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine…”
Psalm 111:10 “A good understanding have all they that do His commandments.”
James 1:22 “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…”

2. Obedience Before Worship
Matthew 5:23–24 “First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
1 Samuel 15:22 “To obey is better than sacrifice…”
Isaiah 1:19 “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”

3. Spiritual Darkness Comes From Disobedience
John 12:35 “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you…”
James 4:17 “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness…”

4. Forgiveness Is Required for Fellowship With God
Mark 11:25 “Forgive, if ye have ought against any…”
Ephesians 4:32 “Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Matthew 6:14–15 “If ye forgive… your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

5. God Discerns the Heart
Hebrews 4:12 “…a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart…”

6. When You Have Tried to Reconcile but Cannot
Scripture speaks directly to it.
Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Matthew 10:14 “…shake off the dust of your feet…” (When someone refuses reconciliation.)
Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.”

•