July 24, 2020by Cynthia Holmes-Landryin [ Spiritual Life ]
One of the many ways to worship and glorify God is through obedience. Living in obedience to God in all things, even the mundane, is a great way to show your love and respect for him. Obedience is also a suiting way to draw near to him and grow in your relationship with him. For many reasons, obedience is an important part of a Christian’s relationship with Christ.
Table of Contents:
- Why Obey
- Fostering Good Habits
- Willing and Able
Why Obey
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’" ― Genesis 1:26
God created man to rule over the Earth. He created us to shepherd the animals and work the ground. God certainly does not need us to take care of his creation as he is almighty and powerful, but he asks us to do it anyway (Genesis 2:15). Why is that? One answer is that God is calling us to obedience and relationship with him through obedience. By obeying his call to take care of this earth we learn more about him and can grow in understanding of his heart and desires for our lives.
Obedience also leads to personal growth. Every command God asks of us isn’t just for his sake, but for ours. The call to obedience is for our benefit. He knows what is best for us and how to grow us to be stronger people and followers of Christ.
Fostering Good Habits
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” ― Galatians 6:7-9
You reap what you sow. When we choose to shepherd what God has given us, we show him that we are grateful for the blessings he has bestowed upon us (1 Peter 4:10). When we take care of what he has given us, we show him that we are capable of being obedient to his commands, big or little. By practicing obedience in the small things, we are laying the foundation for obedience in the big things – when it may be hard to trust him and obey. Fostering good habits in the small things God asks of you will help make obedience in the bigger tasks easier. By fostering good habits of spiritual discipline and sowing seeds of selflessness and sacrifice, day by day, you will resemble Jesus more.
Willing and Able
What are you doing today that is preparing you for the future God has for you and the future you are hoping for? By gratefully taking care of the small things God has placed in you life, like making your bed and watering your plants, you are showing him that you are a good shepherd of what he gives you. By obeying in all things, even the mundane, you are showing God that you are willing and able to obey whatever he asks of you.
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” ―1 John 5:2-3
Obedience to God is not only a way to worship him, but a way to get closer to him, prepare for whatever he leads you to and grow as a person. As Christians, we know we are not saved by our works but that our faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Obeying God should not be a burden but rather a joy, a way of worshipping him and growing in your faith.
Ultimately, we will feel most satisfied when we are in right relationship to God – which can only come through obedience.
Grand Canyon University is committed to following the Lord in all circ*mstances. If you would like to learn more about GCU’s Christian identity and mission or would like to read more devotionals please visit our website and check out the GCU Blog. Learn more about the College of Theology and its degree options by checking out our website or requesting more information with the button on this page.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do notnecessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited wereaccurate as of the publish date.
FAQs
Living in obedience to God in all things, even the mundane, is a great way to show your love and respect for him. Obedience is also a suiting way to draw near to him and grow in your relationship with him. For many reasons, obedience is an important part of a Christian's relationship with Christ.
What Scripture says about the importance of obedience? ›
Proverbs 13:13 “He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.” Proverbs 16:20 “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 19:16 “He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.”
What are the 10 benefits of obedience? ›
The rewards for obedience are clear:
- You will be blessed where ever you go.
- Your children will be blessed.
- God will protect you.
- He will grant you abundant prosperity.
- Everything you set your hand on will be successful.
- The Lord will help you to stand out.
In fact, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). If you have become comfortable with something in your life that God calls sin, hear this challenge: If you are at peace with God, you will be at war with your sin. But if you are at peace with your sin, you will be at war with God.
What are the three types of obedience? ›
Obedience is a specific type of social influence where people are explicitly told what to do by an authority figure. Obedience is of two types: constructive and destructive. Blind obedience is when individuals do what they are told to, regardless of what they believe is ethically, morally or legally correct.
What are the two importance of obedience? ›
Obedience shows that you believe.
Obedience is one way we show God that we believe He will do what He said He will do. It's one way we can outwardly show our inward disposition toward God. He does forgive us when we mess up, but He desires that we strive first to not mess up. That is how we demonstrate true belief.
What are the three benefits of obedience? ›
- Obedience brings blessings i.e. Abraham Genesis 12:1-3.
- Obedience attracts favour with God and man i.e. Joseph Genesis. ...
- Obedience brings healing i.e. Naaman II Kings 5:1-14.
- Obedience leads to prosperity i.e. Job Job 36:11.
- Obedience leads to deliverance i.e. Israelites Exd.
The unity we have with Christ ultimately leads to a life of happiness. Happiness with God is our intended final end. If we persevere in obedience out of love for the Father, he will reward us with the fruit of obedience: eternal life united with him.
What blessings come from obedience? ›
President Monson teaches us about the many blessings we can receive by being obedient, including strength, knowledge, joy, and peace. Consider asking those you teach how they've been blessed by keeping commandments.
What does Jesus say about obedience? ›
Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” and “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching”.
Instead, calling it the passive obedience of Christ stresses the fact that He did not resist the cross, that while He chose to lay down His life, things were done to Him. The active obedience of Christ refers to the things done by Him. Here we are stressing His sinless life and perfect obedience to the Father.
Is obedience the key to blessings? ›
“Obedience is the only key that unlocks God's treasure of blessing in our lives: Obeying reaps rewards, while disobedience brings consequences. The act of obedience is of the heart. Our God requires wholehearted obedience from us.
What are the two types of obedience? ›
In psychology, the term obedience alludes to a person following the direct orders of an authority figure. In some cases, the person obeys even if they find the orders morally reprehensible. Two types of obedience are constructive obedience and destructive obedience.
How does God want us to be obedient? ›
Listening to what God says in the Bible. Following Jesus as His disciple. Being polite and following the rules of good society to show our consideration and respect for others. Trusting that God's way will be best for us, rather than our own or the world's way.
How to live in obedience to God? ›
I believe there are at least four essential principles for developing an obedient heart.
- Decide that obedience is a priority (Psalm 19:7-10) ...
- Develop a “God is here” mindset (Psalm 16:8) ...
- Obey what you know to be true (Deuteronomy 30:2) ...
- Remember the reward for obedience (Hebrews 11:6)
Jesus answered this question when He said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father” (John 14:21). Each of us should ask ourselves why we obey God's commandments. Is it because we fear punishment?
What does Colossians 3:20 say? ›
ESV Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. NIV Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. NASB Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
What are God's promises for obedience? ›
“The Lord watches over those who obey him” (Psalm 33:18 GNT). “The Lord takes care of those who obey him” (Psalm 37:18 GNT). “God gives us what we ask for because we obey God's commands” (1 John 3:22 NCV). “Always obey the Lord and you will be happy” (Proverbs 28:14 GNT).
What does Proverbs 13:13 say? ›
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed. 13 Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich.
