A Reflection On Obedience

When I need to consider how completely I submit to God

Obedience is an elusive issue for us. We are obedient to the Word up to a point, which, in effect, means we are not obedient at all. Obedience “up to a point” is ultimately disobedience; it demonstrates that we hold some masters to be higher than the Lord. We can create the illusion of obedience by doing everything right until doing right conflicts with our convenience. But when convenience supersedes obedience, we discover what rules us.

We must be careful of our own capacity for deceiving ourselves. We like to think we are obedient to God. But once in a while, He puts His finger on something that conflicts with our discipleship. Perhaps we commit to give to the Kingdom of God, but a more urgent financial obligation arises. Perhaps we’re fasting, but an important dinner invitation comes our way. We must decide who our real master is. Jesus tells us we will be blessed—utterly happy and favored—if we adhere to the Word of God in such times. Then we, like Jesus, will be children who honor Him.

Blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.

Luke 11:28