Famous For Obedience

Famous for Obedience

Everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

Romans 16:19

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.

Romans 1:8

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:14-15

Turn on the TV or go online or look at the headlines on magazines, and what are you swarmed by? Stories and photographs of celebrities. We’re a society obsessed with famous people. We love to read about their secrets, their daily habits, and their conflicts with other people. Things that should bring them shame just get bigger headlines and more attention.

The Bible tells us that there is something we should be known for—something that might not make headlines but should identify those of us who call ourselves Christians. Our faithful obedience. We should be famous for living pure lives that stand out from the way people around us live without any thought of God.

Jesus said, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16). You see, when we deny ourselves or forgive others because of our love for Jesus, people notice. And when they do, it’s God who gets the glory. As we live day to day in dramatic contrast to the way everyone around us lives—as we break free from the power of sin—people pay attention. The genuineness of our faith gets talked about, and God gets the praise he deserves.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What kinds of things do people do that make them famous?

Who do you know who is “famous” for being obedient to God?

In the long run, what are the results of worldly fame? What are the results of obedient living?