The Mark of a Follower: Surrender, Love, and Trust
The Christian obedience is not merely an act of submission but it’s an expression of our love, trust and commitment to follow Him. We will discover the profound implications of willingly surrendering our lives to His authority and embracing His Lordship. Our continual obedience is a living testimony, a tangible representation of our commitment to follow Christ, revealing the depth of our relationship with Him. Our obedience, as believers, serves as a profound expression of the inner and outer realities of our faith. It is an expression.
1. Obedience to God: A Faith Expression
The Bible shows us that faith and obedience go hand in hand. Faith isn’t simply intellectual; it’s a deep trust in God’s character and promises. This trust compels us to act. Obedience is how we express our faith and that its than just words—it’s a lived reality.
Hebrews 11:8:
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [a]by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.
James 2:17-18:
“In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
2. Obedience to God: A Gratitude Expression
What motivates a believer to obey God? More than anything, it’s a deep sense of gratitude. Recognizing the countless ways God has shown His goodness and lavished His mercy upon us stirs within us a desire to reciprocate that love. Obedience becomes the language of our thankfulness, a way of expressing our appreciation for all that He has done.
1 Thessalonians 5:18:
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:17:
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
3. Obedience to God: A Love Expression
Think of obedience as a love language between you and God. Just like any relationship, love needs to be shown, not just spoken. By keeping God’s commandments, believers demonstrate their love in a tangible way. It’s a way of saying, ‘God, I love you, and I want to honor you with my life.’ It’s a reflection of a heart that’s fully devoted and committed to Him. What more Jesus himself said;
John 14:15:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
4. Obedience to God: A Humility Expression
Choosing to obey God is a deeply personal act of humility. It’s a decision to place His will above our own, recognizing that He is ultimately in control. Jesus is a supreme example, and we are HIS disciples.
Philippians 2:8: (NASB)
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”
5. Obedience to God: An Trust Expression
Why obey God? Because I trust Him. I believe that His commands aren’t arbitrary restrictions, but loving guidance designed for my benefit and His glory. Obedience is how I show that trust—it’s putting our faith into action. It is putting my faith into action.
Jeremiah 17:7:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose trust is the Lord.”
Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
6. Obedience to God: A Righteousness Expression
Living a righteous life is about cultivating a deep relationship with God, one that’s characterized by obedience and surrender. It involves actively seeking to understand His commands and faithfully striving to live according to His will. It’s a life lived in close communion with the Divine.
Romans 6:17-18:
“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness.”
We have explored six different elements that reflects our obedience to God.
Ultimately, obedience is a powerful expression of our journey with God. Through our obedience, we express our faith, our love, our gratitude, our humility, our pursuit of righteousness and our trust. It is a journey that transforms us, shaping us into His likeness. By choosing to obey God in every area of our lives, we’re creating a living testament to our commitment to His commands.
I will conclude this post here. Please visit again for the next post. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.May your week be filled with the joy of walking in obedience
