• The Way of Obedience

    By: Kristen L. McNulty



    The idea of obedience isn't a popular one. It's easy and common to talk about God's love for us and our love for God, but the second we mention rules to follow or our need to obey, people get uncomfortable.

    But if we ignore the topic of obedience we aren't doing ourselves a lot of service. Because as Christians as are supposed to be listening to God's voice and following what He says. Not only the standards He's set for us in His Word, but also the direction He gives to us along our daily lives to guide us and stop us from wandering into things we aren't supposed to be a part of.

    In Hebrews chapter 12 we see this when we read:

    "See to it that you obey God, the one who is speaking to you. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, how terrible our danger if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!" (Hebrews 12:25)

    Whenever we ignore the voice of God or worse, reject it, we are living in rebellion to our heavenly father. God has expectations for the kind of lives He wants us to live. Let's look at a few verses in Hebrews:

    "Try to live at peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

    "Continue to love each other with true Christian love." (Hebrews 13:1)

    "With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of His name. Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:15)

    "Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say." (Hebrews 13:17)

    These are just a few verses that show us the kind of lives that God wants us to live. Not that we have to earn our acceptance in His eyes or our salvation- Jesus already did that when He died on the cross for our sins. He already loves us, just like our parents love us the minute we're born, but we show love back when we listen to what they say and trust that what they tell us to do is because they have the best in mind for us.

    It isn't easy. I know recently I felt God ask me to do something that I did not want to do and I honestly couldn't see a good reason why He would ask that of me. On the surface it just seemed silly. But I did it and now with the perspective of time I'm so happy that I did because He saved me from a lot of heartache that He could see and I could not see at the time.

    Everyday we as Christians are on a journey to become more like Christ. And while part of that happens by spending time with God and part of it happens as His spirit fills us, part of it also happens when we choose to act like Him. To do the things that He would have done and to listen to the same Heavenly Father that Jesus followed right to the cross. That's obedience and that is an example we would all do well to follow.

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

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