Obdience: July 30, 2010

Today's Word for Friday July 30, 2010

OBEDIENCE

DEFINITION

Submissive to authority; willing to obey.

SCRIPTURE

"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

One of the most difficult traits that most parents have to conquer with their children is obedience. They have several problems to face including teaching their children the difference between right and wrong and then teaching their children the importance of being obedient to do the right things and not doing the wrong things.

God created us with a "will" and the freedom to choose. As a result of Adam's fall we are also born with a rebellious nature. Small children look so sweet and innocent that it is a bit startling when that rebellious nature becomes apparent.

It is a fact that learning to be obedient at an early age has an impact on their future life. When children learn obedience they learn and develop good character traits and healthy values.

Oswald Chambers once wrote; "the Lord does not give us rules, but he makes His standard very clear." If my relationship with Him is that of love, I will want to do what He says. If I hesitate it is because I love someone that I have placed in competition with Him - namely myself."

We are our own greatest problem in life. We have the commandments that God has given us. We have the option to receive Jesus as our Savior or reject Him. We have the option to live by our own rules or by the standards that God has stated clearly for us in the Bible.

Obedience requires submission and willingness by Webster's definition. That is why many find it hard to accept Jesus as their Savior. They are not willing to submit their rebellious nature to the Lord and give up their sinful way of living.

In 1 John chapter two we read: "my little children, these things I write unto you, so that you might not sin." God has given us standards, dating back to the Ten Commandments, that He expects us to live our lives by as believers. And in this chapter in 1 John the writer goes on and tells us that if we do fail God has given us an advocate, His Son Jesus, who is the propitiation for our sins and not for us only but for the whole world.

By being obedient we show God that we love Him and have more faith in Him than ourselves. In fact in verse 4 he says that when anyone says they know Jesus and does not keep His commandments that person is a liar. It cannot be made any clearer than this. God requires obedience from us and we need to adhere to His command if we are truly believers.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.

Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

PRAYER

Help me to be obedient to the commandments that You have so clearly given me. May my family join me in living our lives honoring You in all we do.