Life is all about choices, and choosing to obey God comes from our relationship with Him. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, our desire to follow and obey Him also grows. The Old Testament prophet Samuel reprimanded King Saul for disobedience, giving us insight into what pleases the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. [1]
Wonderful blessings flow into our lives when we obey God. If humanity sought to follow the Lord, it would transform our world. However, very few people choose to obey the Lord, even among believers. When we disobey God, we put our will first and experience the backlash of our desires.
Paul Calls Us to Obey God
The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to walk in darkness and not know the Lord or the plans for his life. Paul was a persecutor of the church when he was known by his Hebrew name Saul. When Paul came to faith after encountering Jesus, his life changed dramatically. Our sinful nature controls us when we are spiritually blinded. Then, we are unaware of God’s beautiful plans for our life.
Paul writes clearly about the importance of choosing to obey the Lord. Romans 6:16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.[2] After his conversion, Paul decided to obey the Lord. Then his life and everything he thought about and did also changed. When we faithfully obey the Lord, our life will also change for the better.
Choosing to Obey God Comes From the Heart
Our Lord does not want us to obey him begrudgingly but out of love for Him. The Lord greatly rewards those who choose to follow the Lord. These rewards are not gold and silver but a life filled with love for God and others and a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Sometimes we may falter in life and choose to disobey God, but He will call us back to Himself. If we humble ourselves and repent of our sins, the Lord restores us so we can continue our faith journey. There have been times in my own life when I stumbled along my walk with the Lord and, in His mercy, convicted me of sin that led me to repentance.
The Lord never walks away from us, but we walk away from Him. When we walk away from the Lord, we walk away from His umbrella of protection, giving satan a foothold in our life. Remember, as a believer in Jesus, the blood of Jesus has redeemed you on the cross. Your salvation is free, but it costs Jesus His life. It is our choice to obey our Lord faithfully; when we do, we are blessed beyond measure. To learn about choosing to obey God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/believe-which-master
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Sa 15:22). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ro 6:16). Tyndale House Publishers.