The importance of obedience is taught many times in the Bible. Is the Lord prompting you to obey what He has said? If we are honest, I believe we all struggle with obedience at times. God may call us, like a parent, to stop doing something or start doing something, yet we act like we don’t hear Him. When we come to our senses and are obedient, we begin to see the blessings the Lord was trying to give us.
I am thankful the Lord is very patient with us. Psalm 86:15 “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”[1] The Lord is patient and gives us many opportunities to obey His call. How has the Lord been patient in your life so you could have another chance to follow His calling?
The Leper Disobeyed Jesus
The leper came to Jesus and humbly asked Jesus to heal him. Mark 1:41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. 43 Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: 44 “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
45 But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him. [2]
Disobedience to God Hurts us and Others
Sometimes I think we are like the leper. We hear what Jesus said but think it will be ok to do something different. We think it will be fine and don’t see the more significant picture from our perspective. When the leper proclaimed what Jesus did, it prevented others from coming to Jesus.
Obedience Always Blesses Others
God not only rewards those who are obedient but those who are close to the obedient ones. For example, a parent who obeys the Lord blesses their entire family. Similarly, a child’s obedience will bless their parents. When you choose to follow the Lord, He will bless you. The Lord does this because obedience always leads to blessings.
To hear more on the importance of obedience, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-preaching-and-healing
[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Ps 86:15). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 1:41–45). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.