Obey God rather than people

 

Walk faithfully with Christ now, in the small matters of life

Christians are called to be obedient to God even if there is a high cost for obedience.

This is a truth which is very easy to talk about but when it moves beyond easy talk and into real life it is a big deal. We must walk faithfully and closely with Christ daily, in the small matters of life, before any significant test comes our way. Because it is usually too late to attempt to prepare for the test after it is already underway.

Our concern should be obedience, not results

Be obedient to God and let Him handle the outcomes

Other People's Opinions And Obeying God

I hate to admit it but I am often too concerned with the opinions of others.  So, the following challenge is for me as much as anyone else who may be reading this.  

Challenge: Be more concerned with pleasing God and being obedient to Him than with trying to please people.  (After all, we can never keep all the people in our lives pleased, anyhow.)  God’s opinion is what ultimately matters.  His opinion infinitely outweighs everyone else’s opinion!

Adjusting To God's Will

Obedience involves having this kind of attitude toward God:  “If we come to some point in my life where your commands, Lord, lead one way but my inclinations and desires actually lead another way.  I will adjust to you.  I will not try to rationalize or deceive myself into believing that you need to come over to my way of thinking.”

Excited About Obedience, Excited About Baptisms

When we are obedient to God we are acknowledging something important and true about life, existence, and the reality of the created order. And our obedience is an indication of our genuine love for God.  Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15.  We are celebrating baptisms in our church today.  I am thrilled about the loving obedience that we see and the miracle of lives transformed by Christ! 

Baptism And Spiritual Victory

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4.  The follower of Jesus has the great privilege of participating, symbolically, with the Lord in His death and resurrection through the ordinance of baptism.  This act of obedience represents Spiritual Victory!  So we are very excited for the 10 people who are being baptized at our church today!

When We Love God It Will Be Noticeable

An important factor in loving God is “obedience”.  Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John14:15. This reminds us that the biblical understanding of love has a strong inclination toward action.  If you and I really love God, the people around us will probably be able to detect that reality by what we DO.  With that in mind here’s a question: Do you love God?

We Want To Obey God...When His Spirit Is At Work

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, there is something in you that really wants to be obedient to God and when you aren’t obedient you feel uncomfortable. That’s a work of God’s Holy Spirit, but it is also a reflection of your love for God. “If you love me you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 [Jesus]  “Obedience” to God is the natural, loving impulse of the Christ follower.