Simple Obedience
I used to tell people if they simply serve God of necessity then they shouldn’t bother. In other words, “Don’t practice the religion of Christianity because you have to; do it because you want to.” Rethinking this position, I’ve adjusted my advice a little, though I recognize that this advice upholds a superlative motivation. Nonetheless, listen to what Jesus says:
“If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
These two statements exhibit the following realities. Jesus commands. And, following those commandments expresses a love for him. Doing what Jesus commands can never be wrong. Certainly people will answer for their motivations, but I’m not venturing into that arena. However, I’ve felt the pressure from reading and listening to some Christian educators that Christian obedience should be a result of gushing gratitude for God’s grace, and not performed out of a shallow obligation to God’s sovereignty. Again, I agree we should serve God out of thanksgiving and appreciation. However, I wonder if times ever arise where obedience is purely a matter of obligation?
What about those days when you don’t feel like it? Can we all be honest and admit that sometimes we don’t feel like obeying or following a particular commandment—days when worldly pressures and stress have overshadowed our gratitude? Is there ever a time when you’re not overwhelmed with joy and excitement about attending worship hours, evangelizing, reading the Bible, extending kindness or visiting someone who needs comfort? Are there ever moments when singing praises doesn’t light your fire? Yes, these feelings creep into all of our lives.
Should we enjoy and want to follow the Lord’s commands? Yes, but reality maintains that we don’t always posses that type of gusto. Now, before I lose you, let me explain that some people who experience these moments of religious hesitancy simply go ahead and obey God anyway. That’s right. Despite the tiredness or lack of enthusiasm they trek on in simple obedience to God. Why?—because that’s what God wants them to do.
Someone says, “These people are nothing but robots, lost in their habitual and rote spiritual exercises. They don’t possess genuine love for God.” Not too long ago I would have probably agreed, but now…well, things have changed. Allow me to explain why. Look at the statements of Jesus again found in John 14 and 15. Love serves as the basis for obedience. A desire to obtain friendship with Jesus functions as a motivation to do what he says. I argue that love for Christ trumps fleeting emotionalism or surging enthusiasm when it comes to obedience. That’s why some seem to serve God without an ounce of emotion or excitement. You’d think that their religion is empty. But if you were to peer inside of them, you’d find at their core a resolve permeating with love for Jesus.
Don’t get me wrong, obedience can be offered without any substance. But, what’s wrong with serving Christ because that’s what he wants? What’s wrong with doing the right thing even when maybe you don’t feel like it? Look, what I’m trying to say is there’s something to be said about simple obedience. Doing what Jesus says just because he said it serves as a good enough reason to obey.
King Saul seemed to crave extravagance in his service to God. The king really wanted to let God know just how much he loved him. So he spared the best of the sheep and oxen from the spoil of his victory over the Amalekites in order to offer them to the Lord. God would want the best! Or, so he thought. God had told Saul to destroy everything and keep nothing. Saul reacted to an emotional moment to go beyond his duty. He thought that God wouldn’t mind his heartfelt and willing sacrifice. He had never been more wrong. God only desired his obedience.
God, through Samuel rebuked Saul with these words: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he also has rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
Here’s my question: How could I ever tell a person “Don’t serve God because you have to….” when in fact, it’s the simple case that he has to? I think, in a sense, we’ve sold out the importance of simple obedience and have undermined the rule of Jesus. Obedience is more than a reaction to saving grace; it’s the proper response to a sovereign God!
Should we want to do the things Jesus has asked us to do? Absolutely! However, I’m afraid that many things would continue unfinished if people postponed their obedience until they felt like it. Keep it simple—if you love Jesus, do what he says no matter what.
“If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
These two statements exhibit the following realities. Jesus commands. And, following those commandments expresses a love for him. Doing what Jesus commands can never be wrong. Certainly people will answer for their motivations, but I’m not venturing into that arena. However, I’ve felt the pressure from reading and listening to some Christian educators that Christian obedience should be a result of gushing gratitude for God’s grace, and not performed out of a shallow obligation to God’s sovereignty. Again, I agree we should serve God out of thanksgiving and appreciation. However, I wonder if times ever arise where obedience is purely a matter of obligation?
What about those days when you don’t feel like it? Can we all be honest and admit that sometimes we don’t feel like obeying or following a particular commandment—days when worldly pressures and stress have overshadowed our gratitude? Is there ever a time when you’re not overwhelmed with joy and excitement about attending worship hours, evangelizing, reading the Bible, extending kindness or visiting someone who needs comfort? Are there ever moments when singing praises doesn’t light your fire? Yes, these feelings creep into all of our lives.
Should we enjoy and want to follow the Lord’s commands? Yes, but reality maintains that we don’t always posses that type of gusto. Now, before I lose you, let me explain that some people who experience these moments of religious hesitancy simply go ahead and obey God anyway. That’s right. Despite the tiredness or lack of enthusiasm they trek on in simple obedience to God. Why?—because that’s what God wants them to do.
Someone says, “These people are nothing but robots, lost in their habitual and rote spiritual exercises. They don’t possess genuine love for God.” Not too long ago I would have probably agreed, but now…well, things have changed. Allow me to explain why. Look at the statements of Jesus again found in John 14 and 15. Love serves as the basis for obedience. A desire to obtain friendship with Jesus functions as a motivation to do what he says. I argue that love for Christ trumps fleeting emotionalism or surging enthusiasm when it comes to obedience. That’s why some seem to serve God without an ounce of emotion or excitement. You’d think that their religion is empty. But if you were to peer inside of them, you’d find at their core a resolve permeating with love for Jesus.
Don’t get me wrong, obedience can be offered without any substance. But, what’s wrong with serving Christ because that’s what he wants? What’s wrong with doing the right thing even when maybe you don’t feel like it? Look, what I’m trying to say is there’s something to be said about simple obedience. Doing what Jesus says just because he said it serves as a good enough reason to obey.
King Saul seemed to crave extravagance in his service to God. The king really wanted to let God know just how much he loved him. So he spared the best of the sheep and oxen from the spoil of his victory over the Amalekites in order to offer them to the Lord. God would want the best! Or, so he thought. God had told Saul to destroy everything and keep nothing. Saul reacted to an emotional moment to go beyond his duty. He thought that God wouldn’t mind his heartfelt and willing sacrifice. He had never been more wrong. God only desired his obedience.
God, through Samuel rebuked Saul with these words: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he also has rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
Here’s my question: How could I ever tell a person “Don’t serve God because you have to….” when in fact, it’s the simple case that he has to? I think, in a sense, we’ve sold out the importance of simple obedience and have undermined the rule of Jesus. Obedience is more than a reaction to saving grace; it’s the proper response to a sovereign God!
Should we want to do the things Jesus has asked us to do? Absolutely! However, I’m afraid that many things would continue unfinished if people postponed their obedience until they felt like it. Keep it simple—if you love Jesus, do what he says no matter what.
posted by Josh Linton at
1:59 PM
1 Comments:
I think you're exactly right. Sometimes doing things out of obligation grows into a desire to do those things. I found that out with study. I didn't really find studying something I longed to do. But once I felt obligated to study and started, I grew to love it.
Thanks Doug.
By
Josh Linton, at 12/06/2005 12:07 PM
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