THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

 Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Introduction

Obedience is understood to be compliance with an order, request, or submission to another's authority. Have you considered how much, as Christians, we need to grow in obedience? Christian faith just like all faith-based movements, is what it is because of obedience.

Obedience in simple terms means, hearing the word of God and acting on it. It is about aligning our will to God's will; doing what He has asked us to do. It is when we surrender to His authority and base our decisions and our actions on His Word.

Abram obeyed God by taking bold steps to leave his father's house, "The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1 (NIV) The request sought for total obedience hence God never gave him the exact land of promise until he journeyed along as God asked (Gen. 12:6-7).

Notice one most important thing that always comes along with an obedient heart, sacrifice. Abram built an altar at his own will unto God. Obedience is the foundation of faith. I dare say, show me your obedience and I will show you your faith.

The head of the church is Jesus Christ. His incarnation, His life on earth, and suffering are born out of obedience (Phil. 2:8). Can you be a Christian without obedience? By no means NO!

A reward is in reverence to something given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement. The reward for being obedient is the expectation of the obedient one. What the Christian sets her/his focus or attention on to keep in step with God's word.

Question: How come, even when we know what God wants us to do, we simply act otherwise? Why do we willingly decide to disobey God?

Could it be that, we don’t really understand the meaning of Obedience or we forget how important it is? Or we need help on how to obey?

Before we glean the Scripture to illuminate us on the reward for being obedient, let us consider two major importance of being obedient to God.

Obedience is an act of worship.

In our obedience to God, we demonstrate our love and reverence for God. It also sets us apart from all others. In obedience, we clearly distinguish ourselves. 

Obedience is the seal of our salvation in Christ Jesus. Although we are saved by Grace through the redemptive work of the cross and by the blood of Jesus; It is our obedience that sets us apart as authentic children of God.

"“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." John 14:23-24 (NIV)

Reflection:  If you claim to be saved and that you are a child of God, is this demonstrated in your obedience? Can God truly count you as one of His faithful Children? As we align our daily actions with God’s word, that is our sincere act of worship?

Child of God, how do you treat your family members? How do you behave at work? How do you relate with your friends? How do you talk about other people?

Remember this always; coming to church is good, joining Brigade is wonderful, singing in the choir is good, and doing all religious things is good, but it is the obedient heart that God loves.

Obedience is a demonstration of our faith in God.

Obedience shows God how much we trust Him. Remember that trust goes with obedience (Prov. 3:5). Obedience is about following God's lead even when we are not sure of the outcome. Many times it is about taking a tough path when there is the easy way out as an option. 

Obedience is sacrifice, discipline, and humility. Our decision to obey, therefore, demonstrates our trust in God. It shows that even though it's hard, even though it doesn't make sense we will still hold on and do it.

Hebrews 11 gives a list of men of God from the Old Testament who are recognized as heroes of faith through their obedience to God.

Precious one, is there something in your life that God is asking you to do that is tough? Or that does not make sense in human understanding? Your obedience will show God that you trust Him. It will be accounted as evidence of your faith. 

Obey God to give even when your budget is tight; Obey God and forgive even when it hurts so bad; Obey God and work hard even when you have been disappointed for promotion; obey God and love your unlovable partner unconditionally. There is a reason why God has put you in that situation.

Reward for Obedience

The Bible holds countless rewards for the obedient heart, here are a few of them.

Generational Blessing

"“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)

I know it is common to hear prophets declaring generational curses running through families. God is telling us today that, in obedience, we receive generational blessings. When we receive God's blessings because.

Abram had to take a bold decision by obeying God to draw out these blessings upon his generation. What are you doing for your generation even the unborn?

In Deuteronomy, God told the Israelites, "Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time." Deuteronomy 4:40 (NIV)

Obedience to God's word does not just bring generational blessings but also generational long life and well-being. We flood churches with problems such as jobs, health, marriage, even ministry, and so on. The truth is that all that we seek prophets to prophesy on us are actually received as a reward for being obedient to God. He blesses us with longevity and well-being not just for us but also for our generations unborn.

Paul tells us, "It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." Romans 4:13 (NIV)

All the blessings we flood the prayer center for, the many prayer requests we seek and all the cry and wails we go through in this life has one-stop point, 'go home and obey God'.

Since obedience is our act of faith, Jesus Christ rewarded his generation with salvation (Matt. 9:12-13), healing (Matt. 9:22), and raising the dead (Matt. 9:24-25). 

The fifth book of Moses outlines the rewards we will receive as a result of our obedience to God; 

• You will be blessed where ever you go
• Your children will be blessed
• God will protect you
• He will grant you abundant prosperity
• Everything you set your hand on will be successful
• The Lord will help you to stand out

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13 (NIV)

Conclusion

Be loved in Christ Jesus, the nature of self-centeredness in us will make us yearn for these rewards therefore, we would seek to obey God. But I want to encourage you to develop a lifestyle of obedience simply because you love God. Let your focus be on your effort to please your heavenly Father. The greatest reward that would ever be for us as Christians is the welcoming smile of our Father for the crown of glory.

How has your obedience to God rewarded you? How challenging has it been obeying God with regard to people around you? and How have you overcome those challenges? 

Please share in the comments section.

Shalom aleichem...