The Way of Obedience

Saturday 14 October
READ: Jn. 14:22-26 
MORE LESSON:  Matt. 28:19-20

Obedience is defined as willingness to comply with the command of those in authority. It is doing what you are supposed to do. It is also compliance with an order, request or law or submission to authority. Obedience brings life, prosperity and prolongs days (Deut. 5:33). It also brings lifting (Prov. 6:20).

Jesus said the criterion to prove your love for Him is your obedience to His commands. One of the commands Jesus also gave the disciples is to “teach others to obey” and this makes obedience very important. Obedience to God and instituted authorities is very important to our Christian growth; it is key to maturity. God values obedience than any sacrifice.  And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams: 1 Sam. 15:22.

As much as Jesus values our service, He values relationship with Him much more, and it is by being obedient that this relationship is built. God's truth comes to us when we position ourselves to receive His revelation. These revelations are capable of transforming our life for good.

However, between revelation and transformation lies our own role and that is obedience. Several people have different reasons for being obedient. People obey because of the fear of someone who is more powerful than they are; this is the main reason why people obey. Some obey because of self interest, (Josh. 1:8). For example, when we buy a new phone we are told to charge it before use. Most of us obey that, not because of the manufacturer but because we want the battery to last long.

God does not want us to submit to Him just because of the benefit we hope to derive when we obey. Our motive for obedience should be true love for God and for the authority. When you love God, you want to do what pleases Him (I Jn. 5:3, Jn. 14:21). God wants us to love Him for who He is and not just for what He does for us. Our love for Christ should be proved by being prompt in obedience.

Prayer/Action
*Ask God's grace to walk in obedience.
*Pray for grace to walk in true love for God.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I speak to every part of my body and destiny to function perfectly; there shall be no break down this year, in the name of Jesus.