As our Creator, he has the wisdom to know how we should live, what works best and what causes the most happiness in the long run. We have to trust him in that; his perspective is much better than ours. Obedience expresses faith in his wisdom and love.
Obedience is what he made us for Ephesians , and life works better if we are in tune with the way we were made. Obedience also involves hope in a future blessing. If there is no future life, then Christianity would be foolish 1 Corinthians Jesus promised that his disciples would find that eternal life is worth far more than anything they might have to give up in this age Mark Everyone who is saved will have the joy of knowing God forever, but there are also rewards in addition to eternal joy.
Several of his parables indicate that we will be rewarded for what we do in this life. God rewards those who seek him Hebrews This is not talking about salvation, but about rewards in addition to salvation. We see in Philippians that even Jesus showed obedience to death and death on the cross. Mathew teaches us that as Christians, the fact that we deny ourselves from many worldly desires and choose to follow Christ, that is obedience.
The book of John , reminds us that through obeying the 10 commandments, we show our love for Jesus. Jesus also tells us in John that in the same act of love for him, we must comply with whatever God has commanded for it is our duty to do so. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
However, Jesus condemns hypocrisy in the act of obedience to the law. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. As Christians, we are asked to obey the law of Christ which is the law of love as it is seen in John They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.
When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. If you have truly repented and believed on Christ and God has saved you then you are a new creation.
If you are saved you are not that same person anymore. You are new with new desires. You will not continue to live in a continuous life of rebellion. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Galatians I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Colossians Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Ephesians You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. B y this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil : whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
To be a good example to others. Matthew In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. John For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Jesus called out hypocrites.
Matthew You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Avoid such people. Rewards Nothing to do with the prosperity gospel, which is a false movement from the devil. Ephesians because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
Matthew Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Mark Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Psalm The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. You want to be different. Romans Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Proverbs My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths. We do so because of God's mercy given in Jesus Christ. Thus, we should obey God out of love for God and gratitude for all that he has done for us.
In what ways does obedience benefit God? In what ways does it benefit us? Thank you, Lord, for the way your grace has filled, shaped, and guided my life. Thank you for the privilege of living in your grace each day. May I seek to obey you in all that I do, Lord, not in order to earn your favor, but so that I might respond appropriately to your favor already given to me.
As I receive your mercies, which are new every morning, may they motivate me to offer myself to you, all that I am, all that I do. May my obedience to you be an act of thanksgiving, a demonstration of my love for you. All praise be to you, O God, because you have rescued me from sin and death and because your grace fills my life each day.
If you're looking for some Advent inspiration and cheer, my blog features an online Advent calendar, with a photo and a Bible passage for the days of December leading up to Christmas Day.
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