Love That Never Fails

64. Walk in Obedience

If you have ever observed a toddler as they deliberately reach out to touch the oven, you will know that we are born with a natural tendency to stubbornly do our own thing. As we grow, we learn from experience, for example, the oven really is hot and it hurts to touch the door when it's on! It would be a very painful existence, to continue to push the boundaries instead of learning to just obey!

It's the same in our walk with the Lord. Obedience can be challenged at every turn but it's always to our detriment. It's so much easier to obey in the beginning! Obedience was the theme of David's words to his son Solomon as his end was drawing near:

"When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.'

Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established."
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭2:1-4, 10-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Notice that there would be a good outcome for obedience— prosperity and their family would continue to reign! David often wrote on this theme in the Psalms:

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:13-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As believers on the other side of the cross, we can tend to get lazy when it comes to obedience. We are forgiven because of Jesus' death and resurrection but that does not mean we can just do whatever we like! God's commandments and laws were given for our good. We need to remember to obey His precepts!

"He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.""
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Blessing is attached to obedience, and these are Jesus' own words! We are no longer under the law but we are surely blessed when we hear and obey! Love is also a major indicator— when we truly love Jesus, we will want to obey Him!

"Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
‭‭John‬ ‭14:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Take time to look at your heart. It's easy for the things of the world to influence us and begin to take the place of love that only belongs to Jesus. Walking in obedience will be a flow on of our love for Him but remember that the enemy is out to pull us away and cause us to be distracted at every turn! Put on your armour (Ephesians 6) and walk by the Spirit:

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for sending Jesus to die for me so I can be free from my sins. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who lives inside of me. I am so blessed to be part of Your family and as Your child, I want to live in obedience to Your commands. Lord I want to love You more every day and walk in the Spirit so I naturally walk in obedience. Thank You for lovingly giving me Your commandments because You want me to have the best life possible. My heart is turned toward You as I choose to love and obey:

"Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.""
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I will love You and others too. I will obey and bring You all the glory,
Amen.