“Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching . . .”

Dr Charles Stanley in his book Living The Extraordinary Life has a chapter dealing with obedience to Christ Jesus. He makes this statement, “True obedience to God means doing what He says, when He says, how He says, as long as He says, until what He says is accomplished.”

All of us have different “weaknesses” so one person may struggle in one area of “temptation” where someone else may struggle with something different. Even though a person has accepted Christ Jesus as Savior, he can still experience spiritual frustration. It is in this area of one’s life that he must address on a regular basis. One reason that spiritual frustration is constant is that we choose to do things our way instead of His way. We can learn and distinguish between our way and God’s way by searching the Scripture. The Hebrew writer compares our intake of God’s Word to that of eating food. He puts it this way, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” As we continue read and study the Bible daily, learning how He wants us to live, it is important to place obedience at the top of our priority list. Dr Stanley states, “Whatever He requires of us—whether it be painful or joyful—profitable or costly—God Himself will help us to obey.”

Jesus Himself learned obedience to the Father’s will which took Him to the cross to pay the ultimate sacrifice for us. As Jesus struggled with this He took the matter to the Father in Prayer. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup (crucifixion) be taken from me. Yet, not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus prayed this prayer three times before He got peace in His heart to do the Father’s will. Victory in areas where we struggle may not come the first time we take it to the Lord in prayer. But, it will come if we will be persistent like Jesus was. Jesus wanted to do the father’s will because of His love for the Father and His love for us.

Obedience is important to our Lord and to us. It brings joy to both of us. Obeying God is pleasing to Him. He knows we really, truly love Him when we want to do what He ask or instructs us to do. Obedience is important at every level of maturity. As we grow in our walk with the Lord, obedience enables us to enjoy our fellowship with even more. As we obey, He teaches us more about Himself and His love for us.

Prayer: Lord, teach me everyday what You want me to know and to do. Help me in the areas where I struggle to obey.