Obedience

There are 4 types/stages of obedience Obedience based on fear It’s transactional like spiritual insurance. Inside, there’s no joy, no intimacy and no peace. People tithe so they won’t be cursed; they serve so they don’t feel guilty. When your fear fades, so does your devotion. His grace meets us there even when our obedience is driven by fear. Obedience for rewards Did you ever say, “God I did everything right, why am I still struggling?” Transactional obedience or serving on a scoreboard. Faith isn’t a formula. “God, if you bless me with this job, I’ll change”, “God if you heal my wife, I’ll serve you forever”. God withholds what we want to purify our motives. God is the reward, not what he gives, not what he fixes. Obedience from love Obedience from love changes everything. We need to say, “Yes, Lord”, because our heart beats for Him. Obedience isn’t a task; it’s a response. Where is God calling you to be consistent, faithful now? Be obedient day by day, week by week, month by month. Jesus builds His church on those, not just called, not just gifted but those grounded in obedience. It inspires others, living a life worth following. Your obedience opens doors for those following you. It inspires faith in people who’ve never met you. Your walk of obedience will stop being just personal and become generational. Obedience liberates more than just you. Your obedience may be someone else’s confirmation that God is real and worth trusting. Kingdom obedience is generational. What if your obedience today becomes the breakthrough your grandchildren need? We obey for those it might reach as we live our life anchored in His voice. Our obedience could awaken dormant faith in another. Obedience as intimacy Obedience as intimacy is the final and deepest level. It flows from closeness, proximity. You can’t bear to grieve the One you love. It’s what Jesus walked in. John 14:31. “but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” This is a two-way relationship: intimacy enables obedience, and obedience deepens intimacy. Live the 4 “Ds” Desire: Seek God’s presence and His will above your own. Discipline: Make time for prayer, Scripture, quiet listening and obedience. Delight: Find joy in following God’s commands, knowing they lead to His glory and your good. Dependency: Trust God’s guidance, knowing you cannot do anything of significance apart from Him (John 5:19, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” God doesn’t want perfection; He wants proximity. Obedience, flowing from intimacy, becomes joy and worship. Are you willing to say, “Yes, Lord, today, fully, honestly, and completely? Are you willing to surrender to His call? Are you willing to say, “Yes” without qualification and without fully understanding the consequences and the outcome that awaits you? Are you prepared to lose respect and admiration from friends, family and co-workers for your obedience? Will you be obedient day by day, week by week, month by month, in small things and in those more material.? If you are interested in hearing my talk on obedience, from which this reflection was drawn, presented June, 2026, here’s the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Nv7KUUjxaVQ?is=hWwDb4AfcOYMRq_l