The word obedience is key to the Christian life. So many will acknowledge Christ, believe He died on the cross, perhaps attend church, participate in Bible studies, and even serve the Lord, yet live a life that doesn't represent obedience to His word. The word obey is derived from a Greek word - hupakou. It means to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority. Christ is the perfect picture of complete obedience - obedience to His heavenly Father - even to the cross. With each passing day, our lives should become more and more a reflection of Christ. He was always obedient to His Father and we are called to the same standard. The challenging part for some of us is you can't obey what you do not know! The first step is to seek God's will, His word. The Bible offers beautiful truths to guide us in this life. When you seek out God and His desire for your life, He is faithful to reveal it to you. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10 "The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Psalm 14:2 "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart" Psalm 119:2
Seeking God is good, reading God's word is good, listening to the teaching of God's word is good, however if you only seek, read, & listen and choose not to apply it/obey it - there will be a void in your life - an incompleteness. "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:10-11 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 His promises are of no value to us if we don't strive to obey Him. Through our obedience we are able to get to the place where we truly see God. It isn't always easy to take the obedient path. Sometimes it requires bold steps to do what God has called you to do. It might not even make worldly-sense, however if you choose God's ways over the ways of this world, there is ALWAYS a blessing waiting on you. "Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded." Proverbs 13:13 When you hear God speak to you, don't question it. Stop listening to the noises of your world and listen to His still voice as it penetrates your heart and obey.
It is of utmost importance for the believer to realize the importance of obedience. Each individual believer will give an account of himself/herself before the Lord one day. As much as I am obedient because of the accountability that awaits me, it is also because I believe in the promises of God. In short, I trust Him - for I have seen the blessings of choosing His way and not mine.
An appropriate quote on obedience with Christmas around the corner -
"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts." ~Ben Franklin
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