Obedience is one of the major pillars that a person must live by to thrive in any society. As a Christian, it is necessary to note that obedience is a spiritual word and it has an all-time relevance transcending generations. Romans 10:17, 'So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God', however, hearing in itself relies strongly on obedience which implies that our faith, the essence of our Christian journey starts with obedience.
You can't grow as a believer without obedience and the lack of obedience will cost you many miracles. The word of God is not to be contested, it is not to be tested by the world's standards, it is to be received and every thought tried by it. When you argue with the word of God, with the Bible as a believer, you are headed on the highway to destruction.
There are five types of obedience the believer in today's society must ensure to take note of and work towards actively attaining.
You can't grow as a believer without obedience and the lack of obedience will cost you many miracles. The word of God is not to be contested, it is not to be tested by the world's standards, it is to be received and every thought tried by it. When you argue with the word of God, with the Bible as a believer, you are headed on the highway to destruction.
There are five types of obedience the believer in today's society must ensure to take note of and work towards actively attaining.
1. The Obedience of Faith
Romans 1:5 says, 'Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.' (NLT). Romans 6:17 further explained that 'Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.' (NLT)
The obedience of our faith is the key to bringing glory to the name of Christ. It is one of the major factors by which we can boldly say that we are no longer slaves to sin but now Christ's.
Salvation is not an idea brought about by some group of people, it is a belief in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and your obedience in the faith is your key to rest in a world that is filled with many sorrows.
These principles are not to be tweaked by what we call 'being modern' but instead, the obedience to these principles and instructions is your response to what Christ has done for you. James 2:26 says, 'Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.' (NLT)
Your works here refer mainly to your obedience to the principles and instructions that lie in God's word. Don't cut corners, and don't try to fit in with the world, it's enmity with God and causes you to be stopped midway.
The Bible is very clear on ensuring that the believer does not live in strife, most especially towards his or her parents. Although, there are times you might not agree with everything your parents say, sometimes, it feels like they are wrong and sometimes, they really are wrong and you are the right one in that matter, but as a blood-bought child, never dishonour them. Plead your cause with honour at its peak in your heart. Don't live in bitterness. Forgive them even if you've been hurt; not for their sake, but for the sake of Christ and yourself.
As a Christian, so far a man has risen in a generation bearing the anointing and mantle of Christ, it is and will never be your responsibility to 'correct', shame or disobey such a man. Let your man of God have confidence in your obedience, don't be a bitter pill in their ministries. Hebrews 13:17 says, 'Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.'
The Bible explains that when your man of God sorrows over your character, it's not to your benefit. Receive the anointed's words as God's edict for you.
This is not hero-worship, this is called honour. Your logic must be replaced by faith and this faith is by obedience.
Romans 13:1 says, 'Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.' (NLT). This verse implies that you don't swear for your President or any of your rulers no matter how badly you feel they might be ruling the country. You don't curse at them and wish them bad, that's rude and definitely, not Christ-like.
Jesus walked the Earth when the Roman empire was ruling the Israelites, yet, it was never heard of him that he swore at Caesar or any of the civil servants for taking taxes.
Serve your leaders willingly and sincerely because of the life of Christ in you. Pray for them and trust God to raise you as a prince so that you can bring heaven's policy and culture to the forefront of society. However, your obedience to civil authorities should not counteract God's word but must be done in disagreement with honour. That the authorities of your country have legalised same-sex marriage does not make it right to the Christian, and that your country's policies keep inflating prices does not mean it's great but, in expressing our views and voicing our dissatisfaction, we are not going to be silly. We would not get involved in vandalising, causing a ruckus and injuring people but we will be genuine in honour while presenting our disagreements.
The obedience of our faith is the key to bringing glory to the name of Christ. It is one of the major factors by which we can boldly say that we are no longer slaves to sin but now Christ's.
Salvation is not an idea brought about by some group of people, it is a belief in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and your obedience in the faith is your key to rest in a world that is filled with many sorrows.
2. Obedience to Instructions and Spiritual Principles
Found all through the Bible are instructions to help the Christian live a life of victory - in finances, in health, in marriage and relationships, in career, as a parent and every other aspect of life you could ever imagine.These principles are not to be tweaked by what we call 'being modern' but instead, the obedience to these principles and instructions is your response to what Christ has done for you. James 2:26 says, 'Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.' (NLT)
Your works here refer mainly to your obedience to the principles and instructions that lie in God's word. Don't cut corners, and don't try to fit in with the world, it's enmity with God and causes you to be stopped midway.
3. Obedience to Biological Relationships
Ephesians 6:2-3 says, '“Honour your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honour your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth"'. (NLT)The Bible is very clear on ensuring that the believer does not live in strife, most especially towards his or her parents. Although, there are times you might not agree with everything your parents say, sometimes, it feels like they are wrong and sometimes, they really are wrong and you are the right one in that matter, but as a blood-bought child, never dishonour them. Plead your cause with honour at its peak in your heart. Don't live in bitterness. Forgive them even if you've been hurt; not for their sake, but for the sake of Christ and yourself.
4. Obedience to Anointed and Spiritual Authority
In society today, many Christians have forgotten or rather, misplaced what it means to obey and honour their man of God and other anointed ministers of God. This is why we see many in a bid to 'speak out', drag and insult their pastors on social media or in their houses, some go to the extent of using them as the butt of jokes and others curse at anointed men of God.As a Christian, so far a man has risen in a generation bearing the anointing and mantle of Christ, it is and will never be your responsibility to 'correct', shame or disobey such a man. Let your man of God have confidence in your obedience, don't be a bitter pill in their ministries. Hebrews 13:17 says, 'Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.'
The Bible explains that when your man of God sorrows over your character, it's not to your benefit. Receive the anointed's words as God's edict for you.
This is not hero-worship, this is called honour. Your logic must be replaced by faith and this faith is by obedience.
5. Obedience to Civil Authority
As much as the Bible tells us and we know that we are not of this world, as believers, it is our duty to obey constituted authorities and civil rules. Civil obedience is the key to favour with men and honour from God through man's favour.Romans 13:1 says, 'Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.' (NLT). This verse implies that you don't swear for your President or any of your rulers no matter how badly you feel they might be ruling the country. You don't curse at them and wish them bad, that's rude and definitely, not Christ-like.
Jesus walked the Earth when the Roman empire was ruling the Israelites, yet, it was never heard of him that he swore at Caesar or any of the civil servants for taking taxes.
Serve your leaders willingly and sincerely because of the life of Christ in you. Pray for them and trust God to raise you as a prince so that you can bring heaven's policy and culture to the forefront of society. However, your obedience to civil authorities should not counteract God's word but must be done in disagreement with honour. That the authorities of your country have legalised same-sex marriage does not make it right to the Christian, and that your country's policies keep inflating prices does not mean it's great but, in expressing our views and voicing our dissatisfaction, we are not going to be silly. We would not get involved in vandalising, causing a ruckus and injuring people but we will be genuine in honour while presenting our disagreements.
Conclusion
Obedience not only serves as a beacon of our faith but also, serves as a pointer for men to favour us on Earth and as believers, we must walk readily in it to enjoy all-round success.
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