The attitude of obedience chooses to obey the Lord even when it is difficult and may not be popular. As believers in Jesus, God calls us to obey in life’s big and little things. Living a godly life and being obedient to the Lord is not the easy road, but the less traveled narrow road. Only with the work of the Holy Spirit can we walk the road called obedience.
The Holy Spirit may nudge you to send a card to encourage a friend or pray for someone. As the Holy Spirit prompts us, we choose to obey or not. I felt urged by the Spirit to send a relative a card after she had eye surgery. I didn’t think it was significant until she called me and told me how important it was. We don’t know what God knows or sees what He does. But as we listen to His voice, He involves us in His work that builds up the body of Christ.
Obeying God With Deep Reverence and Fear
Obeying God with reverence and fear speaks to our relationship with the Lord with respect and honor. Philippians 2:12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. [1]
As reverence for the Lord unfolds in our lives, Paul instructs the people to live out their faith by working out their salvation. Those Paul is writing to are already believers, and working out their salvation is directed toward working out difficulties as the body of Christ. As we work out our problems with others, Paul calls us to do it with love and patience, which is also an example for others.
The Lord Refines Us
God works in us as the Holy Spirit continually prompts, convicts, encourages, and guides us. As we listen to the Lord, Paul tells us the Spirit gives us the desires and power to do what pleases Him. Without the Holy Spirit working in our hearts, we have neither the power nor desire to please the Lord. Paul’s principle is this: “God must work in us before He can work through us.”[2] The Lord refined Joseph and Moses through many trials before He could use them. The Lord does the same in our life. As we obey the Lord, we choose to surrender to His will daily. Don’t be surprised if the Lord uses the trials you are going through to prepare you for future plans He has for you. Isaiah 48:10 I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.[3]
To learn more about the attitude of obedience, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/live-with-attitude
[1,3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 78). Victor Books.