Obedience. Some people cringe at the very word.
The definition of obedience is compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.
Most people don’t want to have to comply to authority. This is why there have been wars, rebellions and riots throughout history. This is way people go into business for themselves.
But obedience in and of itself is not bad.
It is when the authority figure misuses the power that the people rebel.
Have you ever had a good boss? It wasn’t hard working for them. How about a good teacher? Getting in assignments didn’t seem like a big deal. And as a therapist, I see it always goes better for the family when the parents are loving and consistent.
Obedience also is harder when the person is acting in selfishness and doesn’t want to comply. Regardless of the goodness and fairness of the authority.
So, we know God doesn’t misuse His power and that He is good and fair. That only leaves the other option. Us acting in selfishness. How often are you not being obedient simply because you don’t want to?
With our own children when they are not obedient in something we ask of them there is a consequence. It becomes a teaching moment. Our children are actually in control of when the consequence stops by then becoming obedient.
If you are in a situation today where you feel like God in consequencing you, I ask you. Are you being obedient? Is He trying to provide you a teaching moment? Now don’t get me wrong. Sometimes there are terrible illnesses, accidents, and natural disasters that are not because of our acts.
But think of the areas you are struggling with. Finances, relationships, jobs, etc. The things we have control over. Are you looking in the bible for how God is wanting you to be handling these areas? Are you being obedient in these areas?
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
John 14:15-16
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Proverbs 13:13
He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel replied; “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Luke 11:28
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
1 John 2:3-6
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 5:2-4
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
2 John 6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. as you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
I sincerely pray that these bible verses meet you where you are today and help you to view obedience as a positive and a joy and a way to glorify our Lord!
God Bless!
Melissa
YES! Great post Melissa…we are in the middle of a church mess right now, and one of the questions I have posed is “If we aren’t following what God has laid out in His word, why would be expect Him to bless that?” Loved your insight here!
Thank you Malinda for your kind words! Obedience can be seen as so negative but it truly is God’s love for us! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Wonderful words and illustration of obedience. I’ve been reading through the gospels and being obedient to not just read the words but also live, hear, and obey the words is what’s important!
You’re so right. Our obedience to God goes so much further than completing our daily bible reading. Thank you for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
This is a much needed post. Obedience has a bad rap, but if we look at it as you described, we can see that it’s part of a loving relationship.
Thank you, Char. The understanding of obedience is certainly skewed in our society. Thank you for reading and commenting. God bless!
I love the point that God never misuses His authority. What a great reminder to check our own attitudes!
Obedience is only hard when we have an attitude of selfishness and/or pride. That can be even harder to admit! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
These are wonderful scriptures to remind us to walk in obedience. I loved your idea to write down these verses. I like to have things written down and placed all over areas in our home for great reminders.
Obedience can be so hard because we have to put our desires aside! The process of writing can also be such a great way to comprehend the verses better as well. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
“It is when the authority figure misuses the power that the people rebel.” I have seen this so many times! Thankfully God is all-good and knows what is best for us, so it’s not like He’s asking us to do something evil. To obey Him leads to blessing.
Obeying Him absolutely leads to blessings. I think the hard part is that obeying God often means putting our wants and desires on the back burner or throw them completely away. In the moment it can be difficult to see the bigger picture but that the importance of having a deep and intimate relationship with God. So we know that in all situations He wants what is best for us! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
I love this. I see the struggle to step over the line a bit all the time. In me & others.
Struggles with obedience has been since the creation of man. We don’t always want to relinquish control and obey. But we also know how much greater and richer our blessings are when we do! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
I found that as I really worked on forgiving the Abi’s I’ve authorities in my life, my relationship with God’s authority was also healed.
So true. We displace our relational wounds onto Him. Sometimes we need to heal our Earthly relationships before we can allow ourselves to get closer to Him. At other times we have to get closer to Him before we can heal other relationships. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Because I know God only wants the best for me, I can aim to be obedient, although I mess it up often.
I pray as I continue on my faith journey, I will grow in obedience and willingness to follow Him and not my selfish self.
I second that prayer as well! I can know God’s heart and still become willful at times. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Yes! This is spot-on for Christian obedience because we do have a good Boss; therefore, we are the ones who are in the wrong and not Him. So it’s important that we understand what we are rebelling against and the reason why, and we can only do so by going to Him and reading His Word.
That can be so hard for some people! In our society now there are so few things that actually require obedience. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Good word. Obedience should flow naturally out of our love for God. As we grow in our relationship with God, we should also grow in obedience.
Absolutely! As we grow in our relationship with God we also have a better understanding of His desires and expectations for us. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!