Obedience is a tough topic because it means something different for each of us. Yes, there are certain things that we are all called to as followers of Christ, but then there are also very personal things that God calls each one of us to. Some of those will be lifelong callings, and some of those will just be things He has called us to today. But God knows our hearts and He knows what will stretch us, grow us, cause us to have to rely on our faith in Him more, and what things will make permanent changes in us. And permanent changes are always what God is looking for. He is not trying to catch us in a good moment so we will do what He wants from us right then, but He is trying to build a heart inside of us that will be so in tune with Him that we will seek His desires FIRST every moment of every day of our life. And as I stated in my first sentence, for some that will be easier than others...but He knows that too.
Obedience is simply love being acted out toward God. (John 14:15) It is us saying back to God, "we recognize that You did the most You could to show us that You love us, so in our love back to You we will be obedient to the things You have called us to as Christians...and the things You have personally called us to". Romans 12:2 tells us that we are not to conform to this world, but to be set apart. That alone is a major act of obedience. To go with the flow of the world is much easier than stepping out of what the world considers the "norm" and standing on God's holy word. But we see in 1 Peter 1:13-16 that Peter is saying that acting in self-control, placing out hope in Jesus and not slipping back into our old ways of satisfying our desires are all acts of obedience to help you live a more holy life. Peter says that you should choose to be holy "in everything you do". Why? To be more like Jesus. He also goes on to say that God has no favorites, He will judge you and reward you according to what you do. This means you shouldn't try to keep up with someone else and call that obedience. You also shouldn't compare you sins to someone else and say your more obedient than they are. God sees YOUR heart and God knows the things He speaks to YOU about. He knows the life you have been pulled out of and He knows the personal struggles you deal with. So He also knows when something He calls you to do is going to be major or easy...and that is why He chose you for that specific task. Like I stated in the past, He doesn't want to leave you where He found you with a ticket to heaven. He wants to completely change and transform you from who you used to be into someone who reflects Him. And He knows that when we act in obedience our faith is increased, our love for Him is increased and the light we shine for Him is increased. All the things that He is focused on the most.
I have heard the term lately that "people need to do what makes them happy" more than I have ever heard before. That is no surprise since the enemy would love to disguise sin with happiness. Yes I said the enemy will use sin to make you happy. Happiness is a temporary emotion that can come and go with the change of any situation. Ever met a happy drunk person....did you see them again the next morning when they were sobering up? What seemed to make them so happy the night before didn't seem to be causing to much happiness later. And that is just one example. The enemy uses tons of sins to entice people into something that looks like "happiness". But God wants to fill your life with joy, not happiness. Joy can stand up through a storm. Joy and peace will trump happiness any day. And when Joy comes from the Lord nothing can take it away. Trust me I know.... satan will try, but God just keeps giving you more joy and peace because you are following His will for your life.
God wants to help us and teach through obedience. And when we open that door to Him, He will make permanent changes in our heart and in our life. Ask Him what He desires from you personally and let Him show you how blessed your life can be when you show your love back to Him through obedience. And when the enemy tries to bring in fear, allow God to supply what you need to overcome that too!
God, thank You that you give us choices. That alone shows us Your true love for us. Holy Spirit help us to choose what pleases God and let our love flow back to Him in our obedience. Help us live our lives by the truth of your word and allow that to guide us to be where you need us to be so we can do Your work. And help our obedience be a light that shines for others to see Jesus in us. In Jesus name, Amen
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