“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” – Hebrews‬ ‭5:8‬

God many times allows suffering in your life to teach you something you’d never learn otherwise.

As a son or daughter of God, in what order of importance do you place your obedience to Him?

If you’re a Christian, there shouldn’t be any doubt that the blood of Jesus Christ has delivered you from all your sins.

His love for you will never fail.

He will never give up on you.

And He will never run out on you.

But something you can’t forget is even though His love for you is unconditional, God puts obedience as something of great importance according to His Word.

God says in the Bible through His prophet Samuel:

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”

‭‭- 1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22-23‬

And also in 1 John 2:4-6:

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 

So as God’s Word clearly commands, your love for Him and how much you know Him can’t be separated from your obedience to His commandments.

If You Like Instant Results Then You Have to Read This

Sometimes the way you’re wired in American society affects the way you see and understand God’s Word.

And this can be negative sometimes.

For instance, you live in a society where everything is instantaneous, but your walk with God takes time and patience.

You want it now? You got it now!

You want some soup?

Toss a package in the microwave and in 3 minutes, you got it!

You want to watch a movie?

Open up Netflix or search your choice of movie on an app and, you got it!

Now, you can pay your bills with the click of a button.

You can read your books on your tablet.

Everything’s done on smartphones and computers.

It’s fast and convenient.

And many times Christians believe to accomplish obedience, or to obtain spiritual growth in their lives, there’s an easy and practical way to obtain results as well.

But you can’t compare your spiritual growth to the “buy it now” button on Ebay, or the drive-through window at In n’ Out burger.

The way God wants to mold you as an obedient son or daughter takes patience and suffering; but promises joy and fulfillment.

God shows in His Word that obedience is a process and that Christians learn as they walk with Him.

You’ll never stop learning obedience throughout your walk with God because you won’t be perfected until you get to heaven.

Does An Example Of Radical Obedience Truly Exist?

Yes!

You can find the best example of obedience to God in the life and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

He lived a perfect and sinless life here on earth.

Philippians 2:5-9 says,

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.”

This portion tells you that obedience made the Son of God, who is divine, become human like you.

And that same obedience took Him to the cross where He died for your sins.

Notice how the portion of Scripture starts by saying “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

In other words, you are called to have a mindset where you obey God without measuring the cost of this obedience, which in some cases may be painful.

Just as, “God also highly exalted Him”, God will exalt you if you are obedient.

Obedience is a decision.

If you choose to obey with sincerity of heart, God through the Holy Spirit will empower you.

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” (John‬ ‭14:15-16‬ )

The mind of Jesus as an obedient son can be summed up in the following verse:

“I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” – Psalms‬ ‭40:8‬ ‭

The law of God must be in your heart in order for you to become obedient to Him.

So Is Obedience To God’s Word Optional Then?

According to scripture, the answer clearly is no.

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.”

– Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:1

That’s because not obeying God when you’re His child is sin.

James says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

But once you understand why God wants you to obey, then you’ll be motivated to keep His commands.

God doesn’t want to restrict you, He wants to protect you.

He wants to protect you from:

• The harmful effects of sin that will destroy your future
• The devil who walks around like a roaring lion and is trying to eat you for dinner
• The heartache and pain that you’ll experience if you choose to do what’s right in your own eyes

So obey God’s commandments today and you’ll be blessed tomorrow. God loves you, He has amazing plans for you, and He wants to do a great work in your life.

All you have to do is believe and trust in Him.