As parents, we have certain expectations from our children to obey and listen to us. Their obedience becomes a catalyst for us to deepen our love and affection for them. Similarly, in our spiritual journey and growth, obedience plays a profound role in our relationship with God. It holds immense significance in our quest to mature spiritually. In his letter to the Philippians church, Paul imparts valuable teachings on the subject of obedience, guiding us on the path of faithful compliance to God's will.
Philippians 2:12-15 (NIV) 'Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky '
Why should We Obey ?
What is the significance of obeying God? As we hear sermons, read God's word, and hear various other teachings, we often experience an inner prompting to obey. At times, we respond and follow through, while other times, we become distracted and move on. It is important to recognise that these distractions can cause us to miss out on the abundant blessings that God has intended for us. James reasons out why we should Obey. if we don’t Obey we deceive ourselves
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
How should we Obey ?
a) Obedience when no one is looking around
Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) 'Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Paul outlines how we should obey, he details the same to the Philippians Church, which applies to each of us as children of God
Be Obedient to his words / commands not only when someone is looking at you, be Obedient when no one is looking at you “as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence”. We always take it easy when no one is around, the advice here is to be the same external and internal, so that we are the same person to God and man.
Our obedience has to be more when we are out in the world where we face people who many not know God - “but now much more in my absence”
This kind of Obedience should come from us out of “Fear” - Not the worldly fear we have when we see a person. The fear described here is “Godly Fear” - Its a fear that we have to give account to God on the “Day of the Lord” or “judgement day” for our disobedience. 1 Peter 1:17 (NIV) 'Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. '
Once you have fear, there comes trembling - this comes as a act of reverence that we have for God.
The act of Obedience / Fear & Trembling comes when we Love God Jesus tells on this in John 14:23-24 (NIV) - 'Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. '
b) Implicit Obedience
if you have kids around you would know, many times we tell our kids to do something, they sit around, we have to nudge them to tell this again and again. Some time they obey with a grumbling attitude to say, “okay mom” will do it and they do a half baked work. I am sure each of us have done this and experienced this ourselves.
Philippians 2:14 (NIV) Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
When God instructs us to do something, it is essential not to grumble or complain, but rather to carry out the task with a joyful heart, even if it doesn't align with our personal desires. It is important to remember that God holds great value in these actions and honors them deeply.
On many occasions, we find ourselves engaging in arguments and attempting to reason with God, questioning the validity of His commands. It is crucial to recognize that this inclination to dispute God's directives is often a deceptive technique employed by Satan to lead us astray.
When you read the word of God and his direction is to do something, “Just do it” don’t question the motive or validity of God’s ask.
When you Obey Implicit, you say
O - Openness to Divine Guidance - I am open to your divine guidance God.
B - Belief in God's Wisdom and Authority - I believe and entrust my faith in your wisdom and authority
E - Embracing Humility and Surrender - I surrender and work like a slave to God
Y - Yielding to God's Will and Direction - You let yourself take a back seat with God’s will first.
Jesus followed this kind of Implicit Obedience when he was in the world and due to this he is our source of salvation to get what we need Hebrews 5:8-9 (NIV) - 'Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him '
Blessings of Obedience
Philippians 2:15-16 (NIV) - 'so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. '
Blameless and Pure
Obedience makes us become Holy in the presence of God - so that you may become blameless and pure, this leads to seeking God with our holiness as outlined in Hebrews 12:14 (b) (NIV) - 'without holiness no one will see the Lord. '
By Becoming “Blameless and Pure” - We fulfil his command in 1 Timothy 6:14 (NIV) 'to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, '
We become “blameless and pure” not by our own power, by the power of Jesus Christ’s Spirit that guides us like how his blood is without blemish or defect, similar to that it makes us blameless and pure. 1 Peter 1:19 (NIV) 'but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. '
We fulfil the word of God - 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) 'But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” '
Shining Star
You will be a north star in the world to shine a light to the world - “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life”
The light of Jesus will make you stand out, We often see some who we don’t know how they do but they are a bright star irrespective of their situation.
Boasting on day of Christ’s return
You will be able to boast in the Day of Christ ,the work you did was not futile “will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain”
Because of our obedience we help God’s will and plans to succeed and we take pride in God’s work as a body of Christ.
Summary
So next time when God speaks to you or me
We don’t just listen to the sermon or word - if we do we are cheating ourselves and deceiving our own self.
We Obey when no one is looking around. We are same before God and man.
We Obey instantly without any murmuring / argument's with God
By our obedience we become holy in front of God, We receive countless blessings (eternal and worldly) from him.
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