The Boldness of OBEDIENCE

 “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments" (John 14:15, Amp).

Let's look at what true obedience looks like together. There are five points that show us what obedience looks like:

1. A change of heart: a change on the inside out that stems from love and respect, not a fear of punishment or a desire for a reward.

2. Trust and Faith: deeply trusting what we cannot see.

3. Submission of the Will: surrendering our own will and plans to those of God's.

4. Action: abiding in truth, adhering to God's Word, and following Jesus.

5. Right Attitude: having the right heart and spirit; a commitment to God without questioning.

Have you ever really noticed that right smack in the middle of the word O B E D I E N C E is the word DIE? Oh, and in the middle of D I E is I! I never even noticed this before, but when I did it got me to thinking...One has to die to self in order to be fully obedient. We can also note that I is in the heart of obedience. "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it" (Luke 11:28).

Let's dive into some Scriptures regarding obedience together:

"For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]" (1John5:3, Amp). May we be habitual in our obedience and remain focused on what God says. His word says it's not even difficult!

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24, NKJV). Deny self and follow Him!

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal.2:20, NLT). If you are in Christ and trusting Him, He lives in you, a new you! He thought you were worth dying for!

"But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also" (Matt. 6:33, Amp). Actively seek Him and His righteousness, He will give you what you need!

In the New Testament, you can see throughout Scripture a common thread: believe in, trust in, adhere to, and follow. These are given directives, not suggestions that are modeled for us. Get into the Word on a regular basis and see for yourself.

There is a song that was sung when I was a child "Trust and Obey". The chorus says, "trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey". How true those lyrics are and very childlike to understand.

May we die to self and be born again. (John 3:3-7). This is a life-long process, but Jesus promises to walk beside us all the way. He encourages us to deny ourselves and to follow Him today

(Luke 14:27).

It all boils down to C H O I C E which also has an "I" in the middle of it! May I also point out that DISOBEDIENCE has two I's in the word, but let's not go there!

Put your best I forward and dive into obedience to Christ today!

^"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23, Amp).

Dear heavenly Father, Please forgive us for our choice of disobedience. May we be truly repentant and ask for Your forgiveness and a new direction of following Jesus today. We love You and honor You for Jesus and the gift of salvation. May our words, thoughts, and deeds honor You this very day. In Christ we pray, Amen.