Obedience to God is the ultimate expression of our love for Him and the key to receiving His blessings and fulfillment in our lives. As followers of Christ, we must strive to obey His commands and live a life that is pleasing to Him, even when it requires sacrifice or stepping out of our comfort zones. Let us be bold in our faith and obedient to God’s will, trusting that He will guide us every step of the way.
You were created in God’s image for a reason. And when the Lord created you and me, He took pleasure in us and gave us dominion over all that He had created. (Genesis 1:26-28) He also gave us a command to obey Him and keep His ways. (Genesis 2:16-17)
But we all know what happened next. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree, bringing sin and death into the world. (Genesis 3) Ever since then, we have been struggling with our sinful nature and our tendency to rebel against God. (Romans 3:23)
But God did not leave us in our hopeless state. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins and to rise again from the dead, defeating the power of sin and death. (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) He also sent His Holy Spirit to live in us and to guide us into all truth. (John 14:16-17; 16:13)
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and receive eternal life. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But that is not the end of the story. God also calls us to live a life of obedience to Him, following His commands and His will for our lives. (Ephesians 2:10; John 14:15)
What does it mean to live a life of obedience to God? Why is it essential for our salvation and growth as Christians? How can we overcome the obstacles that hinder us from obeying God? In this blog post, we will explore these questions and more.
What is Obedience to God?
Obedience to God is doing what He says in His Word, the Bible, and what He reveals to us by His Spirit. It is submitting to His authority and His lordship over our lives. It is trusting Him and His promises, even when we don’t understand or agree with His ways. It is loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30-31)
Obedience to God is not a burden or a duty, but a joy and a privilege. It is not a way to earn God’s favor or approval, but a response to His grace and love. It is not a legalistic or rigid set of rules, but a dynamic and personal relationship with our Creator and Savior.
Obedience to God is not optional or occasional, but essential and constant. It is not only for some people or some situations, but for all people and all situations. It is not only for the big things or the hard things, but for the small things and the easy things.
Obedience to God is not based on our feelings or circumstances, but on our faith and commitment. It is not dependent on our strength or ability, but on God’s power and provision. It is not motivated by fear or guilt, but by love and gratitude.
To obey God means to align our will with His will, to follow His commands and instructions, and to submit to His authority and lordship. It means to listen to His voice and respond with faith and action. It means to trust Him and depend on Him in every situation.
Why is Obedience to God Important?
Obedience to God is important for many reasons. Here are some of them:
- Obedience to God glorifies Him and honors Him as our Lord. (1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:31)
- Obedience to God demonstrates our faith in Him and pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 3:22)
- Obedience to God shows our love for Him and keeps us close to Him. (John 14:21; 1 John 5:3)
- Obedience to God aligns us with His will and His purpose for our lives. (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:17)
- Obedience to God blesses us and benefits us in many ways. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 119:165)
- Obedience to God protects us and delivers us from evil. (Psalm 34:7; James 4:7)
- Obedience to God matures us and transforms us into Christ’s image. (Ephesians 4:13-15; Colossians 1:28-29)
When we obey God, we show that we love Him and trust His will for our lives. We also grow in our knowledge of Him and His ways, which helps us to discern His voice and His guidance. Obedience also brings us joy and peace, as we experience the blessings of living in harmony with God and His purposes.
Obedience to God is not always easy or comfortable. Sometimes it requires us to do things that are contrary to our natural desires or preferences. Sometimes it challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and face our fears. And sometimes it calls us to sacrifice our time, money, or relationships for the sake of His kingdom. But obedience is always worth it, because God knows what is best for us and He has a good plan for our lives.
Furthermore, obedience to God is also a way of worshiping Him. When we obey God, we honor Him as our Lord and King. We acknowledge that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things and that He has the right to rule over us. We express our gratitude and devotion to Him, and we demonstrate our faithfulness and loyalty to Him. We also glorify Him by reflecting His character and His love to the world.
Obedience to God is not a burden or a duty, but a privilege and a delight. It is not a means of earning His favor or approval, but a response to His grace and mercy. It is not a legalistic or rigid obligation, but a dynamic and relational adventure. It is not a hindrance or a limitation, but a freedom and an opportunity. It is not a source of guilt or fear, but a fountain of joy and peace.
Lastly, obedience to God is the essence of the Christian life. It is the mark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It is the evidence of a genuine relationship with God. It is the pathway to maturity and transformation. It is the expression of worship and love. It is the key to blessing and fulfillment. It is the highest calling and the greatest privilege.
How Can We Know What God Wants Us to Do?
We can know what God wants us to do by reading His Word, the Bible, which reveals His character, His purposes, and His plans for us. The Bible is our guidebook for living a life that pleases Him and glorifies Him. It contains His promises, His warnings, His wisdom, and His instructions for every aspect of our lives.
We can also know what God wants us to do by praying and seeking His guidance. Prayer is our communication with God, where we can express our needs, our desires, our praises, and our confessions. Prayer is also where we can listen to His voice and receive His direction, His correction, His comfort, and His peace.
How Can We Overcome the Obstacles That Hinder Us From Obeying God?
We can overcome the obstacles and challenges that hinder our obedience by relying on His grace and power. We cannot obey God in our own strength or wisdom. We need His help and enablement. He has given us His Holy Spirit, who lives in us and empowers us to do His will. The Holy Spirit also convicts us of sin, teaches us the truth, reminds us of God’s Word, and guides us into all righteousness.
Obedience to God is not optional or negotiable for Christians. It is not a burden or a duty. It is a joy and a delight. It is a privilege and an honor. It is a response of gratitude and love to the One who loved us first and gave Himself for us.
Obedience to God is also not without reward or consequence. When we obey God, we experience His presence, His protection, His provision, and His favor. We grow in our faith, our character, our fruitfulness, and our influence. We please Him and honor Him. We fulfill our purpose and destiny.
But when we disobey God, we miss out on His best for us. We suffer loss, pain, regret, and discipline. We grieve Him and dishonor Him. We hinder our growth and effectiveness. We jeopardize our relationship with Him and others.
Therefore, let us make obedience to God our highest priority and our greatest passion. Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Let us not love the things of this world, but love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us not walk by sight but by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Let us follow Christ wherever He leads us, whatever He asks us to do, whenever He calls us to act. Let us obey Him fully, promptly, joyfully, and wholeheartedly. Let us obey Him not out of fear or obligation but out of love and devotion.
Let us obey Him because He is worthy of our obedience.
