Obedience to God

QUESTION: How important is obedience to God in my daily walk?

ANSWER:

Obedience to God is very important in your Christian growth. No one in this life will ever become sufficiently sanctified to the point where they are always obeying the law, but we can honor and maintain obedience to God by pondering on, or meditating on, the words of Jesus. The term "to ponder" means to weigh in the mind, to think or reflect, especially quietly and deeply. To ponder on something is like meditation which implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something in order to understand it deeply. The author of Proverbs 14:15 makes a good point: "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps."

The greatest commandment is to love God by keeping His commandments. Matthew 22:36-38 says, "'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.'"

You ask, "How important is obedience to God?" In the gospel of John, obedience to God is underscored time and time again. John 14:15 says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

The great commandments are reiterated in Matthew 22:36-40 which says, "'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"

Jesus is very concerned about us and He wants us to do more than participate in good works, He wants us to believe in Him. He wants us to come up higher and be "like" Him. When we are being obedient to God, we are doing just that: knowing Him, loving Him, and having a personal, intimate relationship with Him. To do this, we must be attentive to God's laws. This is not an option, because you can't have an intimate relationship with Jesus and trample on the words He taught. Being obedient to God is not the same as sticking to the speed limit because you get a fine if you disobey. Obedience to God is living God's Word because you want to and enjoy being filled with the love of Jesus.

We must believe in Jesus, we must have faith in Him, and we must trust Him! Calling ourselves a Christian on its own won't do. Following the commandments step wise won't do. Reading the Bible diligently won't do. We have to take the Word into our hearts. When we make the transition from calling ourselves a good Christian to being someone who is having a deep personal and intimate relationship with the Lord, then we can have the highest of joys, the deepest of peace, and receive the fullest measure of God's love and power each and every day of our lives.

We need to enter into God's rest and be less concerned with worrying about what else we could do to make Jesus love us more. Hebrews 4:10 says, "For anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." It would be invaluable if you were to spend time reading God's Word and ponder on one aspect as you walk. Step into the scene, imagine what it might have been like to be there, create Jesus in your mind, feel the love, and experience a deep intimate relationship with the Lord.

That is the essence of obedience to God.