WHAT IS OBEDIENCE?
Since November, my youngest cousin and I have been in the habit of talking on Sunday nights. We have already read through one book, and we are close to finishing our second. The book we have been reading is the book by Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God. My cousin, for the first time, is in fact experiencing God. About four years ago my cousin lost his dad to an unexpected blood clot. He was in his senior year of high school and it’s left a great impression on him.
This week went just like any other week; we spent a good 45 minutes talking about what we had read, what we learned, and what is presented to us as a challenge in our life. This past week he presented a question to me that really was a good question. The question he asked was simple, “What is considered disobedience to God?”
The question came after reading chapter 18 in our book. The chapter is titled, “Joining God Requires Obedience.” That’s a question that I don’t really ask a whole lot. I would imagine it’s not a question any of us asks very often. And while we may not be asking that question of ourselves, how often do we ask that question of the people or the world around us?
“You cannot stay where you are and go with God. You cannot continue doing things your way and accomplish God’s purposes in His ways. Once you have adjusted your life to God, His purposes, and His ways you are prepared to obey Him…Obedience is the outward expression of your love for God.” –page 247-248, Experiencing God.
Adjusting our life to God’s pattern, to His plan, and to His purpose is not an easy task. We often run into the conflict of our desired plan or His perfect plan. That word adjustment has been a word that continues to challenge me as I’ve read this book. I’ve had to ask myself repeatedly, “How well am I adjusting my life to be in step with God’s plan?”
Throughout God’s Word, he continually speaks of obedience being the greatest thing we could do in showing our love for Him. I think of the story about Saul and how Samuel rebuked him for not obeying God’s command to destroy an entire village. Saul however thought he was doing a noble thing by taking the best and giving it as an offering to the Lord. The Lord, through Samuel said in I Samuel 15:22, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
It’s easy for us to measure the many things we DO in sacrifice to the Lord. The offering we give to Him, the rituals we keep…yet in the end, all he asks of us…is to obey. The question asked of me was, “How do I determine if I’m disobeying God?” I think the best answer I could give and did give my cousin is found in His Word. Am I living according to His Word? Am I close enough to Him to hear His voice? Do I even recognize His voice in my life? God is always extending a call to us…are you able to determine what it is He is asking of you today? Might I extend a challenge to us all, to grow in our relationship to the Father, and as we do, may we out of love…honor Him with our obedience!
Tyler, I was so pleased to read your blog today! This morning in the devotional I use for Ralph and I to have daily devotions, the scripture was from John 14 starting with the 15th verse, ‘If you ove me,you will obey…’
Ithought your answer to your cousin was very good. We have to go to the Word and keep sensitive to his leadings if we are to continue sensing that leadership.
I only one other time went into our website. The Lord must have wanted me to see your blog. It is good to sense your heart and will help me to pray for you more effectively.
Keep challenging our teens (including our Suzi) to take the high road. With the culture they are facing, they will need a close walk with God to withstand the pressures of this day.
All of us, at any age, need a close relationship with Him.