Is Disobedience Unbelief?
Did you know that every time you obey God you are placing your trust in Him? You have taken a step of faith. You have confidence that He only means good for you whatever is asked.
Why don’t we obey? Could it be that we don’t believe God has the best in mind for us? Are we listening to Satan like Adam and Eve did? We’ve all experienced doubts, and we know where those come from.
Why do we disobey?
Think about it the next time you are tempted to disobey. What is the reason? Why does that reason loom large in your vision? Learning to trust God will remove many temptations.
What are we afraid of? If we choose to love someone with no guarantee of being loved in return, does that make us of less value? Is that what we are afraid of?
Why do we get angry except to protect ourselves? At the moment of anger, we don’t believe God cares enough about us so we have to defend ourselves. We don’t trust Him.
Maybe it is that we might feel taken advantage of. And that is what the secular teaching says we are not to let happen. Are you looking for the approval of others? Do you need it?
Hmmm…Does Jesus care?
So we disobey God because we don’t trust Him to know what is best for us and those who we interact with each day. Simple. Clear.
Faith makes obedience possible
John tells us in his first letter, chapter 5, verse 4, that faith overcomes the world. Faith in what? Faith in the goodness of God. Faith in the love of God. Faith in the kindness of God.
Will you join me in stepping out in faith? Will you trust God with me this week to know what He is doing? Let’s believe, act like it is true, that He does care about us.
Love the unlovable. Forgive those who have hurt us. Be kind when we don’t feel like it. In other words, let Jesus live through us—loving, forgiving, being kind.
Let’s yield to Him in obedience and allow Him the opportunity to live through us.
Words to light your path this week
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. NKJV
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. NKJV
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. NKJV
Gracious Father, open our eyes so we can see how good You are and what a joy it is to obey You.
Obedience or Independence Oswald Chambers
Obedience David Wilkerson
