Why Obedience to God?
Obedience: Acceptance of God’s Sovereignty
Obedience to God is an acknowledgment of His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. It’s a recognition that His will is ultimately what matters. When we truly recognize God’s sovereignty like Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 32:17
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
But this acceptance of HIS sovereignty isn’t just a passive intellectual agreement; it’s a transformative encounter.
- It shows our reverence To God
- It acknowledges HIS supreme authority.
- It acknowledges that God is in control.
- It shows acceptance of God’s sovereignty.
- It changes our viewpoint about the world.
Obedience: Recognition of God’s Authority
Our recognition of God’s authority is fundamental to obedience. The Bible speaks very clearly that God is the ultimate ruler over heaven and earth, and all creation is subject to His command.
Psalm 103:19:
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11:
“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.”
Colossians 1:16-17:
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”
When we meditate on the above verses, we learn and understand that God is the creator of everything. HE rules and sustains all things. Thus we can completely rely on HIM, submitting to HIS authority and resting in HIS care. Let’s summarize to keep our focus.
- God is the Creator of everything.
- God’s authority is absolute.
- Everything belongs to God.
- God is before all things and holds all things together.
Obedience: Submission to God’s Will
Submission to God’s will is an active journey of aligning our desires and actions with His purposes. It’s a process of dying to self and rising to new life in Christ. This is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our submission involves sacrifice – of time, resources, comfort, or even our dreams. This involves setting aside our desires and aligning ourselves with HIS purpose and will. Jesus modeled this submission by fulfilling Father’s desire.
Submission to God’s will is a key aspect of obedience. It involves setting aside personal desires and aligning one’s actions with God’s purposes. It isn’t a one-time event but a daily, moment-by-moment choice. When we
- Renounce Self-Centeredness
- Embrace Humility
- Practice Obedience
The most significant part of this submission is that Jesus himself desired it. That very desire of JESUS is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. It not just about following the rules, its beyond mere adherence to doctrines.
It’s about a radical reorientation of our lives, a commitment to doing God’s will above all else. Through this commitment, we discover true belonging, true connection, with CHRIST. In closing this reflection on submission to God’s will, I can think of no more powerful words than those of Jesus himself. He didn’t just teach about submission to God’s will; He lived it perfectly.
Mathew 12:50:
“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Obedience: God’s Holiness Requirement for Us
God’s holiness is a beacon, guiding us on the path of faith. Obedience is the journey itself, a step-by-step alignment with His holy nature. It’s a process of growth, of becoming more like Christ. And it’s a journey worth taking. We are called.
Called to Holiness
1 Peter 1:15-16:
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Called to Living a Righteous Life
Ephesians 4:24:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Obedience in the Bible is multi-dimensional. It is an acceptance of God’s sovereignty, acknowledging His supreme authority and submitting to His will. It is also a response to God’s call for holiness, making a genuine effort with the help of Holy Spirit to live a life that reflects His holy nature. Through obedience, believers demonstrate their trust, reverence, and commitment to God’s perfect plan and holy standards.
The obedience series continues, ending this post here. We will meet in the next post where we will explore the next part of this series. “The obedience Source”
Let’s strive this week to align our hearts with God’s will. Be blessed.
