Obeying God: What Is Involved?
“For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
(2 Corinthians 9:12-15).
To obey God requires getting His perspective on our life every day. It means being renewed in our thinking (Romans 12:2) so our attitude and actions honor Him. It also means being reminded of who we are apart from Him (John 15:5) and who we are with Him. (Philippians 4:13)
Once we have His perspective, it takes courage to obey: courage to give up what we like in order to do what He asks; courage to do things which may bring unwelcome results; courage to rearrange our schedule to match His plan; courage to love the unlovely, forgive the seemingly unforgivable, and give when we want to keep. Courage grows out of a deepening faith in God.
As we know the Father more intimately, our confidence in Him increases, and obedience becomes easier. If we know the God who gave the commands, then we’ll be able to trust that His plans are for our good and His glory. We will rely on the Holy Spirit, who guides us in understanding divine commands. With our eyes fixed upon our Savior Jesus instead of on our circumstances, we will step forward boldly. We won’t fear the consequences that may arise from our actions but will look for the blessings God desires to bestow.
Obedience involves knowing the commands of God and facing any temptation to compromise with a commitment to obey. Furthermore, it means drawing courage from our trust in Him and accepting the consequences as God-sent. Pray that obedience will mark your life.
Related Links:
Learn Obedience:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/csobedience.html
About the Author
This article was written by Charles Stanley. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/charles-stanley/
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