The Joy of Obedience
“It was not a cramped, circumspect, compromised life, but a life lived in a kind of wild, joyful, full-throated freedom — that was what it was to obey God.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Why obey?
John 15:11 says These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
What was Jesus talking about right before that statement? He was talking about keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. Joy in obedience? Yes! That’s what Jesus said.
We were created to be one spirit with Jesus Christ. Apart from that, we live a diminished existence. We aren’t all we could be. Obedience is our destiny. It is our fulfillment. Obedience takes our life to a higher level.
Obedience is a life of joy and peace. We cannot experience real joy apart from obedience to God.
When you are ready to take that first step in complete obedience, complete surrender pause a moment. Take a long look at that scary drop-off. Look back at your life. Then turn from your old life (repent) and take that first step in following Jesus, living a life submitted to your leader in obedience. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Motivated to obey
What motivates us to obey? Why would we choose to obey? He is worthy. Simple as that. Jesus Christ is worth every ounce of energy we expend in obeying Him. If you don’t think so, then may I encourage you to get to know Him better. When we see Him and all He has done for us we will gladly give everything to follow Him.
If anything or anyone is holding you back from following Jesus in complete obedience, pray that God would give you a clear picture of who Jesus is. Who God is. Ask Him to show you how worthy Jesus is. How nothing or nobody else deserves our obedience, not even ourselves.
Obedience honors God
God is glorified in us by our behavior. Don’t we want to glorify God, make Him look good? The love, mercy, forgiveness that He wants to show is to be lived out in us. He uses us to display to the world who He is and what He is like. I wonder how many times we give a distorted picture of God by our disobedience? I know I am guilty. How many lives have I affected by my refusing to allow God to live through me? I do regret that.
Let’s follow our leader, Jesus Christ. His life was an example of obedience. John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” And in Hebrews 5:8 it says, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience…”
Words to light your path
2 Corinthians 5:15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.
Prayer-
Eternal Father, open our eyes to see what a privilege and joy it is to obey You. May we start with obeying Your word, and may our spirits be ever mindful of Your presence in our daily lives.
For you to consider this week:
Taking the Initiative Against Drudgery
All scripture references are the New King James Version.
