OBEYING GOD’S WORD

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in OBEYING the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams” – 1 Samuel 15:22

Hearing, reading, meditating in, and studying of God’s Word are vain without OBEYING the WORD. To obey is to hear God’s Word and act accordingly. Disobedience is Sin! Obedience is submitting to a higher authority. We are under the authority of God’s Word because we are under the authority of the God who gave the Word. Without obedience, our response to God’s Word is incomplete. The Bible says a lot about obedience, which could be summed up as: Obey and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will be cursed (Deut.11:26-28). We learn through the example of Jesus Christ that believers are called to a life of Obedience: “Though He was a son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb.5:8).  As followers of Christ, we show our submission to God by our submission to His Word, not only by acknowledging its truthfulness, but by walking in obedience to the truth.

Obedience to the Word had been the basis on God’s relationship with humanity, right from creation’s inception. The Creator gave Adam and Eve two sets of commands – first, to multiply and fill the earth and exercise dominion over it, and second, not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen.1;28; 2:17). Because the first couple chose to disobey, their relationship with God was broken, and they were banished from Eden. Not only did their rebellion impact their own lives but it had far broader implications: All future generations would suffer. Why? Because through the trespass of one man, Adam, sin entered into the world, and death resulted for all humankind (Rom.5:12-19). Being the head of the human race, Adam’s disobedience affected everyone born after him. Every person starts out with a bent away from the Lord and a desire for rebellion or self-rule.

By contrast, Jesus Christ made conformity to the Father’s Will His priority. He obeyed in both word and deed (Jh.8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life – entirely devoid of sin – He qualified to be our Saviour (2Cor.5:21). Through His death, payment was made for all human transgressions. Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom.6:4). God’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power. Our Saviour calls us to deny selfish desires, live sacrificially, and follow Him (Mt.16:24). Here are five reasons to Obey the Word:

Jesus calls us to Obedience: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jh.14:15). In Him we find the perfect Model of Obedience. Our motivation for obedience is Love; and as His disciples, we follow Christ’s example as well as His commands.

God Rewards Obedience: “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Gen.22:18). Over and over the Bible confirms that God blesses and rewards obedience (Exo. 19:5; Lk.11:28; Jam.1:22-25).

Obeying God proves Love: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. (1Jh.5:2). Loving God implies following His Word – doing what He has commanded us, and He commanded us to love (2Jh.6).

Obeying God demonstrates Faith: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1Jh.5:3-4). When we obey God, we show our trust and faith in Him.

Obedience is better than Sacrifice: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams” (1Sam.15:22). The law required the people of Israel to offer sacrifices to God, but those sacrifices and offerings were never intended to take the place of obedience.

God has called us to complete and radical obedience to His Word and His Will, for a rewarding and blessed life.