So many of us get that talk at a young age, and we listen for a few years, then when were a teenager (for some reason) we just ignore everything that... well... you get the point. Rebellion is the opposite of obedience, and for some reason, I have only heard the word "Obedience" referring to either Dogs or when someone is getting a talking to from parents...
Brave cat? or Strong Dogs?
Here's a fun test to figure out where you are. (If you cant choose one, pick the one that seems the best fit, be honest, dont read down until you have your answers- think about your answers.)
Pick a mindset and continue...
If you are more apt to say:
"I have the opportunity to obey" Then go to comment 1
or maybe "I'll do my own thing" Go to comment 2
Comment 1) Either you have begun to understand or do understand the value of obedience, and even though you have no idea where I'm going with this, you personally either: (See below comment 2 in BOLD Letters for your personal message)
A>Choose to Obey those in authority over you.
B>Obey people you like or choose yourself.
C>Take what people say as a suggestion, and do it whenever your able, if you want to.
Comment 2) What's the point of serving others or obeying people? I mean, if you think about it, what does it get you in the end? right? If you feel even slightly like that, you should relate to one of these sentences. (See BOLD Numbers below to the one you pick)
1> I can see it's important to obey some people, I just do it to make them happy.
2>If I'm afraid of someone, i'll obey them! Id rather obey a thug than a preacher anyday! :D
3>Honestly, I dont care. I'm reading this because I want to, not like words can change who I am
4>Anyone who thinks they can boss me around are either dumb or control freaks.
5>The only things worth serving is myself, I don't even know why I'm reading this.
You are a part of a team.
A- Why do you choose to obey those people who have authority over you? If you honestly chose this letter, please read through all the corresponding letters and numbers, you will be able to pick out all the nuggets of truth and make for yourself a huge reason to why authority is to be obeyed, it's amazing.
B- Once you start to Choose to obey people in your life, you gotta ask yourself "Why to I obey them" maybe it's because you just want to keep them as a friend or even because you feel forced to! Either way, you need to obey those in AUTHORITY in your life, there's a structure that is in place that "Conformists" didnt build, God built it. So if you "Choose" to obey someone, ask yourself "Am I doing this for God? Them? or Me? And once you think about it, the result may shock you.
C- Did you know that God is the King of Kings? He's the one who created everything and gave you life... Your not an accident, and He wants to give you purpose, not to live to play Xbox or PS3 all day. Even tho that can be fun, are you being obedient? It's one thing for God to ask you to do something "Climb this mountain" and it's another for your parents to ask "Wash the dishes" Oh wait... hold on... why would you obey God and not your parents? It says in the Bible that "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..." (Luke 16:10a) so if you want the blessings God has for you, start with the dishes :) you get it?
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right (Notice the words "...in the Lord") What does that mean?? hmmm
1-You do it to make them happy? Maybe even make them "think" that their in control, well guess what... If they are in leadership over you, and your not obeying (or maybe you are, but not in attitude) and you think everythings going to be ok? because "It doesnt matter" Check this out:
Hebrews 13:17 "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you"
So we can apply that their IS a profit to obedience then... and if your obeying those in authority because you want "a profit" and still have a good heart attitude, GO FOR IT! It's perfectly fine to run a race, knowing that their is a prize waiting for you at the end! so Run!
2 Timothy 2:5 "And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules"
2- Sure you can see the importance of obeying some people, like cops, if they say "Put the gun down" and you disobey... Your life is in danger! But if God says "Say hello to that guy" and you dont... what does that mean? Will I get shocked with lightning? Well, no, but disobedience has it's own way of showing itself, and honestly, we dont see it because we expect God to come and spank us like our parents did, It was OBVIOUS when we disobeyed, and because of those spankings, I fear wooden spoons.
"Colossians 3:22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God."
Ok, so dont fear the spoon... Fear God... Actually the word fear here is better understood as "Divine Respect" Imagine if your boss came to dinner? better clean the house! Gotta make a good impression and look better than "Normal". What if the Governor came to dinner? Better look good and prepare a small speech, would you want him to hear what you had to say? you may not have this opportunity, ever! What if the President came to dinner, and it was going to be on the news?! Oh man! Watch what you say, act proper, look good, prepare a small speech on your life goals, Etc. would you sweat?
What if God wanted to spend 10 minutes with you? would you care? or would you just go back to YOUR stuff, cause if you do, THATS what you will get... Your stuff- Not His. It's in the "Sincerity of heart" amazing things happen.
3-
- Exodus 23:22But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
- Jeremiah 38:20But Jeremiah said, “They shall not deliver you. Please, obey the voice of the LORD which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live.
- Ephesians 3:16-19 "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
- 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome
- Revelation 22:14-16 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish [hell], but have eternal life.
Glaze through these verses like their just words or pick through them like your trying to find a treasure, either way, it's a choice, just like John 3:16 says "Whoever believes" ... It's your choice, but you need to make that choice, sooner than later, because you dont know if you have later.
- Hebrews 5:9 having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
Woah.
4- Do you think people in authority over you are dumb? Parents? Pastors? The President? God? Do you see rules as a dumb set of rules that old people set for you to stop you from experiencing life to it's fullest? "DONT DRINK!" "SAVE SEX TILL MARRAGE!" Some people would definately see rules like that as "Fun killers".
- Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Ok, so you see this and say "Exactly! Another rule making ME not have any fun!" well, wait- you dont see the reason behind it.
- 1st Peter 4:1-3 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
Once you can see "Fun" for what it really is, you tend to shift your thinking to a better way of living, I'm not a conformist, living a "Pure life" with other people, everyone looking and smelling the same :D ... I could say the same about a bunch of drunks or druggies at a party for that matter! the only differience between Drunks, druggies, and Christians, is that We as Christians know where were going and have a comforter that is WAY beyond any high you could ever get, and is there for you when you feel lonely ... How do you get it?
It's more simple than you think. Ask.
then talk to a pastor or friend or even myself.
5- Who is your master? No one right? You do what you want, when you want... It's the good life right? Did you know that your a slave to whatever your flesh wants? Try stopping stuff you "choose" to do because you like it... try to stop fueling lustful thoughts, or drugs, alcohol, or pornogrophy, etc. I DARE you to see who is is control. Stop it for 1 month, you will feel the familiar TUG of you not being in control, and you wanting to give in... Not because you WANT to... but because you OBEY it.
- Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
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If you have actually read this far, pretty cool huh? If you feel guilty- Give it to God and start over, Do your best for God.
Final thought:
In a war, there are ranks. People fight bloody battles... Even now in Iraq (When this blog is posted), since the war started in 2003, the Average death toll for American troops PER DAY is 2. Could you imagine another day asking yourself "Am I going to become a number" Well, I pray our servicemen over there stay safe, but the moral of that little story is to let you think about Structure and Authority... See, If that serviceman didnt obey his commanding officer, he could have became a number, or God forbid he was the catalyst for hundreds of people simply "Becoming a number" It's YOUR choice to obey... And guess what? Your in a battle RIGHT NOW! and it's as powerful and devistating as any world war! If God asks you to do something and you disobey... Who knows what may happen to YOU or those around you! Obey those who are in charge over you, they are there for a reason...
Romans 13:1-3 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
Obedience=Victory. Questions?
- 2nd Timothy 1:7 For God as not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of live and of a sound mind.
Ephesians 5:8-18
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit[b]is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather exposethem. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.14 Therefore He says:
“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Exodus 19:5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
That sounds like a cool promotion to me.
I'm Enlisted. You are too if you CHOOSE to.
- 2nd Timothy 2:22 "Flee Youthful lusts [passions], but pursue righteousness WITH THOSE who call on God out of a pure heart.
This isnt "Church" It's a full blown War.
Choose a side.
