God calls us to be obedient, but what exactly does that mean? Here are seven ingredients to obedience.
1. There is an incentive to obey
“If you are willing to be obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” (Isaiah 1:19 – NIV)
The prophet doesn’t mince his words in that verse. If we are obedient, we will be able to eat the good things of the land.
2. It is devout and fervent
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11 – NIV)
Serving the Lord is something we are called to be zealous about, and we are also to be fervent in it. Our devotion and commitment to the Lord is a major aspect of obedience.
3. There is a downside to not obeying
“Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.” (Psalm 119:6 – NIV)
As we mentioned the incentive to obey above, there is also a warning about the consequences of not obeying.
Here the Psalmist states that our not obeying would result in our being put to shame.
4. It must be to God’s glory
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31 – NIV)
The apostle Paul is telling the Corinthians that everything must be done to the glory of God. Even when we do good things, they are only matters of obedience when we do them to God’s glory.
And here, he mentions the mundane tasks of eating and drinking. He does that to drive home the point that every activity must be done to the glory of God.
5. It must be in and through Christ
“To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves.” (Ephesians 1:6 – NIV)
We obey to serve Christ. We obey to praise him. As mentioned above, we obey to give glory to God. But perhaps most of all, we obey because God reaches down to our depraved humanity and freely gave us his only son, the one he loves — Jesus.
6. Obeying contains a blessing
“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.” (Psalm 106:3 – NIV)
There is an incentive to obey. There is a downside to not obeying. There is also a blessing associated with obeying.
Here the Psalmist characterizes obedience as those who act justly and always (boy, that’s a convicting word) so what is right.
7. Our obedience never ends
“The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, The God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” (Revelation 22:6 – NIV)
Finally, we obey because we are not made for this world; we live for the next. As mentioned in Revelation, the end of all things will soon take place. We need to be prepared for the end and be doing the work of the Lord when he decides to call us home.
