OBEDIENT HEARTS ARE BLESSED (2)

“If you know these things, BLESSED are you if you DO them” – John 13:17

OBEDIENT HEARTS are BLESSED by hearing and keeping God’s Word: “If you know these things, BLESSED are you if you DO them” (Jh.13:17). Our heavenly Father demands a life style of obedience from all of us. Most of the hindrances to obeying God are self-manufactured. These include: doubt, excuses, fear, pressures, rebellion, and wrong relationships. Obedience is also an attitude – a heart-attitude that builds our character and determines our lifestyle. Jesus cultivated and communicated an attitude of obedience. He always did the Father’s Will, even when it was painful, like in the Garden of Gethsemane (Lk.22:42). Jesus modelled for us the truth that obedience is learned: “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8). The Lord says in Luke 11:28b, “More than that, BLESSED are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” God desires that we become obedient Keepers and Doers of His Word rather than mere hearers!

Obedience is the attitude of submission to instruction and authority. God says what He means, and means what He says. The Lord is serious when it comes to obeying what He says in His Word. Most of His promises of blessings are contingent upon following His instructions and keeping them. Blessings shall come upon us, overtake, overwhelm, run ahead, and exceed our expectation, when we live in obedience. Deuteronomy 28:3-14 present God’s promises to bless His people in all places – home, city, field – as they went out and came in daily, prosper their efforts, grant victory over their enemies, supply rain for all seasons for crops and drinking, and all that they put their hands to, because they obeyed the Lord their God. Obedience brings blessings, is rewarded, brings glory to God’s name, is a witness to other nations, while building godly character in His people.

Obedience is the master key that unlocks God’s treasure of blessing in our lives. Obeying reaps rewards, while disobedience brings consequences. The act of obedience is of the heart. Our God requires wholehearted obedience from us. Half-heartedness is unacceptable; it just won’t work. We cannot carry out God’s instructions if done according to how we feel, what is deemed convenient or, on our own terms. We most definitely should observe His statues, commands, and judgements carefully with all our heart and with all our soul: “This day the Lord your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul” (Dt. 26:16).

We must delight in obeying God, knowing that obedience is a choice. Whatever we do or become in life is based on the choices we make. God allows everyone the freedom to choose. He is always with us to guide, protect and support us, but He does not force anyone to do what he or she does not want to do: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…” (Dt.30:19-20). He could not have made it any clearer than that. The choice is between life and blessings or death and cursing; eternal life or eternal death; salvation or condemnation.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Perfect Model of submission to the Father’s Will and Total Obedience: “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do…” (Jh.14:30-31a). The devil had nothing to boast about in Jesus as He obeyed the Father unreservedly. The Lord is ever ready to lead us through His Spirit as we are willing and obedient. Some instructions may look foolish, so far we know it is the Holy Spirit leading, rather than grumble or drag our feet, we must be prompt in obedience. Then, we’ll be taking quantum leaps in life.