The importance of obedience is central to the Biblical message-obedience to parents, to those in authority and to the law of God. When Moses went up to Mount Sinai, God gave Him a list of commandments to teach Israel how to live in holiness. Here we see that OBEDIENCE IS KEY. The first commandment with a promise is the one that instructs on how to behave with our parents: "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God is giving you," Exodus 20:12. Why does GOD emphasize obedience to parents, and what is the correlation between us and God?
The word 'honour' denotes respect, and respect, obedience. Before Moses' death, he speaks to the children of Israel about the BLESSINGS ON OBEDIENCE and the CURSES ON DISOBEDIENCE. One path brings joy, the other pain. It is God, our Heavenly Father, who laid down the law for us to receive or reject. It is there to protect us, not to harm us. However, when we rebel it not only brings us pain, but it grieves the Father's heart. In Judges Chapter 10, when Israel once again chooses to disobey God's commands, they begin to reap the fruit of their rebellion-pain and suffering. In the midst of this, they recognize their sin, put away their idols and cry out to God. Here we see the Father's heart in grief, "And He could bear Israel's misery no longer," Judges 10:16.
God's heart is a Father's heart. Godly parents and godly leaders are there to be obeyed and honoured. When we think we know better, the seed of rebellion begins to take root in our hearts, then our eyes become clouded and our judgment impaired. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry," 1 Samuel 15:22-23.
In this season let us seek to walk in obedience. God does not instruct us contrary to His Word, and His Word provides a lamp unto our feet. Let us live as salt and light, resisting the urge to go our own way. We are living in the age where the 'urge' is glorified and it is called, 'the pursuit of happiness.' "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death," Proverbs 14:12. Remember, REBELLION BRINGS PAIN to you and those who love you, especially to the Father's Heart.
2 Timothy 3:2-5 warns us about the last days: "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power." Let us stand and bring joy to our Father which art in heaven!
Click on the comments link below to share your thoughts with us on the importance of OBEDIENCE.
4 comments:
Obedience...an area where the church has fallen short. We have been disobedient and at times not even realized. We have heard the voice o God and decided not to walk by faith. We have heard the voice of God and decided not to trust Him. instead we leaned on the wisdom of man and self and have been disobedient.
This is a timely post as God is calling us to repent for the kingdom of God is near. Knowing the voice of the Shepherd and obeying His voice is so important right now for the body of Christ. As darkness covers this earth and gross the darkness the people God is looking for those who are set apart, who choose to keep His way and those who will obey. They will be the ones to light up the world! The Lord shall arise upon thee and His glory shall be seen upon thee.
Jesus was obedient even unto death...ever think about what life would be if He had said no? Now also think about what you could have, should have, would have and still can be or do. We are here for God's purpose, for such a time as this! If we are not mindful to obey God will not be able to accomplish His purpose in and through us and He will raise up another in our place. In the end times, I petition you to seek God, to know His voice and to trust and to obey. Faith requires obedience; we will not always sight but we will always have the Spirit and we will need to submit and obey to be led.
God bless you,
Aisha
This idea of obedience- total submission to God's will was highlighted for me recently when I read John 5:30:
“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
The first line struck me- Jesus- who was equal to God says He can do NOTHING on His own initiative? Nothing at all?
If He, who is God, was so obedient, then I need to also let Him direct my life and follow His lead. I'm still grappling with this idea of nothing on my own initiative and how it should work out in my own life.
But there is hope.
Thanks for posting on obedience. Blessings.
God is looking for people who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He wants "all of us," and that means we are to surrender 'our entirety to Him - yes, and that means especially our wills." This calls for obedience in faith - not with just a part of our lives, but with ALL of our lives. Anonymous #2 aptly pointed out: "If we are not mindful to obey God, He will not be able to accomplish His purpose in and through us and He will raise up another in our place." The cemetry is filled (literally and figuratively)with the dry bones of those who were called according to His purpose but chose their purpose instead and so God abandoned them to their own heart's prideful desires,therefore He raised up others in their places.
God is dead serious about obedience through faith!
Thanks for the timely post.
Sadly I've gotten away from following the discussions and posts on the site since I've moved. Today as I was sorting through my e-mail and I read Natasha's latest post, I was more blessed than I can say. As far as the idea of obedience is concerned, it's not the fact that I may suffer when and if I am disobedient, but the fact that it grieves and hurts my glorious, merciful, and generous Heavenly Father that loathes me to be disobedient!
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