A Sure Pathway To Living An Overcoming Christian Life.
BIBLE PASSAGES – Acts 5:29 | 1 Peter 1:14 | 1 John 5:3 | Isaiah 1:19 | Luke 6:46 | Exo 23:22, Psalm 119:30 | John 14:31 | Luke 11:28 | 1 Sam 15:22.
INTRODUCTION
We are strictly told to obey but its important first to know what obedience to God means? Why should we obey him? What would happen if we reject/accept it? Come lets search in the light of the scripture for more stable answers.
WHY IS OBEDIENCE CRITICAL TO OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE:
1. Obeying God is an essential step in receiving God’s greatest blessings – (Lk 5:1-7) Often, God’s greatest blessings come as a result of our willingness to do something that appears very insignificant.
2. Our Obedience always benefits others – LK 5:1-7, Jh 2:1-10
God often rewards others—in particular, those closest to us—as a result of our obedience.
3. When we obey God, we will never be disappointed. Peter no doubt assumed that Jesus’ fishing instructions would amount to a waste of time.
HOW TO OBEY GOD – Forms of Christian Obedience
The first two forms of Christian obedience given here come from Jesus’ teaching about the “greatest commandment of the law” in Matthew 22:36-40
1. Love the Lord your God: Obedience can be to simply honor and praise God for your life and the blessings within.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself: Continuing with the teaching from Matt 22, our next example of obedience is to love your neighbor as yourself. In order to love our neighbor, friends, and even family, we must forgive them for their trespasses against us. As the Lord’s prayer says, – Matthew 6:14
3. Prayer: The Bible literally tells us to “pray without ceasing” -1 Thessalonians 5:17. To live by faith means to live by prayer, going to God in supplication and thanksgiving.
CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE
To those who obey him, he promises blessing but to those who disobey him, cursing – Deu 11:27-28; Josh 5:6, 1 Sam 15:9-23.
EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO OBEY/ DISOBEY GOD
1. Adam
Adam’s disobedience brought disaster upon the human race.
Disobedience simply means to ignore God’s voice, reject his authority and not do what he says – Gen 3:6 | Gen 3:11 | Gen 3:12 | Rom 5:12,15,19 | Lev 26:14-16 | 2 Chr 7:19-20
2. Abraham – Gen 22:1-18
3. Jesus
Christ’s obedience, an obedience throughout life even to death, brings salvation to the world – Rom 5:19 | Phi 2:8.
THEN WHAT IS TRUE OBEDIENCE?
Religious exercises are never a substitute for obedience to the Commandments of God. Love for God leads to obedience, not disobedience -1 Sam 15:22; Luk 22:42; Joh 14:15; 15:10,14-15.
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE TOWARDS ANTI-GOD REGULATION BY ANY AUTHORITY?
In any area life, people with authority may at times command Christians to do something that is contrary to the teachings of God’s Word. In such cases, Christians must be prepared to obey God rather than submit to anti-God regulations, even though their actions may bring unwelcome consequences upon themselves – Act 5:29,40.
CONCLUSION:
Learn obedience, make a habit of obeying God. Only by obedience we are saved, and our life comes to its fullness. By this, we have nothing to worry about, nothing to fear, and nothing to lose.
Therefore, set a goal to obey the Lord and watch him work in your life.
