You’re only fooling yourself if you insist that obedience comes naturally to you. Please never say that again. You will only embarrass yourself. Face the reality of who you are and the long family history of disobedience that runs in the blood.

At the get-go, our Creator equipped us with the sophisticated ability to exercise our own will. Our first parents were not robots, nor were we. We are not mechanical devices programmed to respond in only one way. We make choices. We can obey or disobey.

Garden of Eden: “Adam, what will you choose?”

“I will disobey. I want to do my own thing. It looks good to me. I know I’ll like it, and it’s what I want right now.”

Adam never said those words – but he didn’t have to! Actions and behaviour speak so loudly that anything we might say is drowned out. We can say ‘right’ words, use ‘spiritual’ phrases and spin them into impressive sentences — and the façade can be incredibly impressive. But who I really am is seen more clearly in the choices I make and the actions I take each day.

Someone has said God’s entire will for your life can be written on your thumbnail in a font size that’s visible to the naked eye: OBEDIENCE!

Disobedience? Look around and see the ripple effects. Believe it or not, the mess we see in our world started with the disobedience of just one man. (Romans 5:12) Disobedience always has ripple effects beyond that which is immediate and personal. The ripple effects of my own disobedience go much further than I could ever imagine. Yes, my family and friends and others within my sphere of influence will experience the ripple effects.

The flip side is also true: the ripple effects of my obedience to the Lord will go much further than my eye can see and what I will experience today.

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19

Meditate on the obedience of that one Man (Jesus) and what blessing His obedience has brought to you. The entire mission of Christ to planet Earth could be summed up on His thumbnail: Obedience.

Jesus said: “I do always those things that please Him – (the Father).” John 8:29 His Father’s response? This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 17:5 The completeness and extent of His obedience is expressed in these unfathomable words: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8

The results of His obedience are far-reaching and eternal. Bow your head just now and thank Him for His obedience and how it has brought blessing and salvation to you.

But what about the obedience of just one Christian today? Does it count? Am I obeying the Lord in all spheres of my life? When I read my Bible, do I surrender to what the Lord wants me to do and how He wants me to live? Do I obey in all things or just most things?  

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I might love singing worship and praise songs, but words can be cheap. The true, genuine, and authentic expression of love, worship and praise to the Lord is shoe-leather obedience in the choices I make daily from the moment my morning alarm goes off until I fall asleep at night.

Is there still a slice of my life’s pie that I’m keeping for myself? Is there a part of my Bible I try to downplay, minimize, rationalize away, pass over or turn a blind eye to? Those avoidance strategies are nothing less than raw, rancid and rotten disobedience. (It’s painful to call it that in the presence of the Lord when I pray, but if I want to enjoy full communion with Him, I must be honest in my confession.)

Only eternity will reveal the far-reaching effects of your full surrender and obedience to the Lord. (Read: Luke 11:28, John 15:14, 1 Peter 1:14, James 1:25)

Are you willing to whisper to the Lord just now your surrender and set the wheels in motion to obey Him in that one thing in your life that you’ve been holding out on? Your Christian life will be stunted until you do.

Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you –  in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.

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