The Blessing of Obedience: Doing God's Will with the Right Heart

Today’s culture promotes freedom from all external controls to be truly free. However, just a look at any daily news will demonstrate that this is a false idea. True freedom, freedom from sin, is only found in obedience to God and to those He primarily delegated His authority to: parents (Ephesians 6:1-3), governments (Romans 13:1-2), and the Church (Hebrews 13:17). Exceptions happen when those in authority over us require of us actions and services that betray our conscience, grieve our Lord, or invade our biblical convictions. In these cases (Acts 5:40-42; Daniel 6:6-11), we are to stand against such demands.

Why should we obey the Lord?

1. Because He created us (Colossians 1:16) All things created by Him and for Him.
2. Because He redeemed us (1 Peter 1:18-19)
3. Because He will judge us (2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Obedience is defined by many as “dutiful or submissive compliance to the commands of one in authority” (Barry Kerner). However, my favorite definition recognizes that obedience is a choice made possible by the grace of God to do “what I’m told to do, when I’m told to do it, with the right heart attitude” (Bill Elliff).

The following are some types of obedience which, in reality, are disobedience:

• Cosmetic obedience - playing church on Sunday, living for self the rest of the week.
  
• Controlled obedience - I’ll go this far, but no farther; I’ll deal with this, but not that.
  
• Delayed obedience – Not now.     
  
• Incomplete obedience – Saul, destroy the Amalekites; spared King Agag, best of livestock.
  
• Provisional obedience – I’ll give God what He wants if He meets my needs.

Because we haven’t been completely sanctified yet, we tend to move back and forth from one area of disobedience to another depending on the issue or the day. Our goal, by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit, is unconditional obedience to God and His Word.

Because God is love, His will is always best (Romans12:2, “good, acceptable and perfect”).

Because God is all powerful, He can enable us to do His will (Philippians 2:13). Obedience is the outward expression of our love of God (John 14:15). If you have an obedience problem, you have a love problem. If you do not obey God, you do not know Him “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments” (1 John 2:3, NLT)

Obedience brings God’s blessings and the following benefits:

1. Prosperity in the Lord (Joshua 1:8).
   
2. Experiencing God’s love and the special revelation of Himself to us (John 14:21).
   
3. Having a solid foundation when the storms of life come against us (Luke 6:46-49).
   
4. Knowing spiritual truth (John 7:16-17).
   
5. Blessed in what we do (James 1:25; Luke 11:28).
   
6. Being God’s people and enjoying His favor (Jeremiah 7:23).

What is the clear, perhaps difficult, step of obedience that God is confronting you with today? What will you do?