Obedience

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

John 10:27

Every night of the week all across the country, thousands of men and women leave their homes to spend an expensive hour or two at obedience training. No, it isn’t their own obedience that they’re worried about. They take Rover with them, and Benji, Buddy, or Lady and the Tramp. Dog obedience academies are big business, because pet owners want to teach their puppies not to bite, bark, dig, chew, run away, or mess up the carpet.

The Lord offers a similar program for His sheep.

As the Lamb of God was obedient to the Father, so we’re to obey the Good Shepherd. It’s important to regularly ask ourselves these questions: Have I been guilty of biting comments? Have I been barking up an unhealthy tree? Have I been digging into things I should avoid? Have I been running away from a clean conscience? Have I been messing up?

We’re understudies of His obedience as we hear His voice and follow Him.

In many ways, the attitude of obedience is much more vital than the act, because if the attitude is right, the act will naturally follow. But the right action with the wrong attitude is nothing but hypocrisy.

JOHN MACARTHUR