Walking in Obedience

Walking in Obedience may be one of the hardest topics I have addressed so far.  So many Christians (and Non-Christians) get tangled up in this thought of Christianity being a list of rules we must follow; don't do this, don't do that, go to church, pray this prayer, read your bible.  We often lose track of the truth because of the lies and deceit Satan throws our way, but despite what some may think, God is not some police officer in the sky waiting to punish us for all of our wrong doings.  He is a caring, loving Father who only wants the best for us.  Of course there are things we should and should not do, but we shouldn't view these things as chores or tasks that must be completed in order to earn our way into God's favor, into Heaven.  


By obeying our hearts and accepting Christ, we are forgiven of our sins, we are set free from them.  We need to recognize that God chose to grant us favor, by His mercy; He set death as the penalty for sin, but loves us so much that he opted to give us a way out.  He chose to have mercy on us, to give us a chance to be forgiven and live for Him.  How amazing is that? By obeying our hearts calling to live for Christ, God has forgiven and freed us.  Living in obedience to a God that is willing to send His Son to die for us and save us no longer appears as a list of things we have to do, but rather simple reminders of our Father's love for us.  The things I formerly saw as an obligation, things I had to do, are now things that seem exciting, a way of growing closer in my relationship with Jesus; time in the Word used to be something I crossed off my daily list, but now it is exciting to learn about the One who created and gave it all. My allegiance belongs to Christ and to Christ alone, and I am thankful to God that I am no longer enslaved to sin.  God has our best in mind, He only wants to see us succeed and spread His kingdom; how could we stray from obeying the only One who cares that deeply for us?


Daily Verse:


Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.  You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. ~ Romans 6:16-18


It is important to remember that God meets us right where we are, broken in our humanity.  He doesn't expect perfection, but He lays out these steps towards sanctification so we can strive to be like Jesus. He cares for us, like any loving Father.  We are broken, we are beautiful, and we are perfected by His love, and only His.


Today I challenge you to walk in obedience.  Don't fake it or pretend to be perfect, He already knows we aren't.  Be glad that you have an opportunity to live for such an amazing Savior, strive to be the person God has intended you to be; broken and beautiful, but walking in obedience on the path God has set aside for you.