Immediate Obedience

If you’re like me, then you’re stubborn and want things done your own way in your own time. If you’re like me, then sometimes you probably think you know better than God does. If you’re like me, then you know God is worthy and faithful to be trusted, yet in our own sinfulness we still trust our fallen selves more sometimes.

The Lord has been over and over and I mean over again teaching me and speaking to me about obedience. The past few church services I’ve been present at have been about obedience, Bible studies I’ve been in have been about obedience, and even conversations I have with my godly friends and mentors have been about obedience. Immediate obedience. Not delayed obedience. Not controlled obedience. Because both of those happen to be disobedience. I personally struggle a lot trusting God with relationships. I often wonder and question God’s goodness when a guy doesn’t treat me right, when I feel like I always attract the wrong guy, or why I feel like all my friends around me have found their person and I haven’t. 

“But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’” -Luke 11:28

As believers, we are called to walk in obedience with God’s Word and His purposes for us. Some essential things to remember when pursuing obedience is feeding yourself with God’s Word daily. It sounds cliche, but if a believer is not constantly listening to truth about who God is, we will fall into temptation and lose sight of what our purpose here on earth really is. Another important thing to practice is surrounding yourself with godly people. A person will become like who they hang around. It might not seem that way, but I can personally testify that if I’m not around godly people and don’t have accountability partners checking in on me, I will fall into temptation and the ways of this world. Additionally,  we need to pray for Jesus’ strength to help us resist temptation when it comes our way. Temptation is unfortunately inevitable, but through Jesus, we can resist it; He always provides a way out of it. These are just a few ways to help obedience be pursued throughout your walk with Christ. 

Things to consider:

Which one of these suggestions is the most difficult to you?

What is one thing God is calling you to fully surrender to Him and follow through with immediate obedience to Him?

How can you take a step towards that obedience today?