Category: Obedience

 Obedience unto Righteousness

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Romans 6:16

Obedience to the divine commandments or instructions of God. Most human beings do not adhere to God’s commandments. We do not want to hear about the consequences for our actions, or the result that it could cause death. The apostle Paul asked the question “do we know to whom we yield ourselves to?” The old man through Adam is unrenewed because of sin, but Christ through His death has given us the new man in righteousness. As Christians we now walk in newness of life through what Jesus did on the cross.

If we go back to verse 13 of Romans chapter six, Paul is stating that we do not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but instead yield our members unto God. Sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are no longer under the law but under grace. We became servants of righteousness and not sin. There is no good fruit in serving sin or our lusts. Every man “is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” [see James 1:14]. We are to put to death through prayer the deeds of sin such as covertness, hatred, strive, envying’s, murders, and drunkenness. [See Galatians 5:19-21].

Obedience is to be fulfilled when we are ready to punish every act of disobedience. [see 2 Corinthians 10:6]. Obedience is linked to faith and rightly so for Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus himself learned obedience through what He suffered.

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Hebrews 5:9

All of them that obey Jesus. Jesus was “called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” [see Hebrews 5:10]. Faith is believed in Jesus. He is our salvation. He is the one that has overcome sin and death. It is Jesus who can help our weakness through the Holy Spirit. We come to Jesus to lay our burden down and our sins. Obedience and faith demand that we repent and surrender in order to receive His righteousness. That we cast down all “imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” [2 Corinthians 10:5]

Have we done this? Repent and receive His righteousness. Casting down all evil imaginations. Let us have an encounter with God to the full assurance He will perform and restore our soul.

He will lead us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Can we say like David that God’s rod and staff comfort us. David who repented and obeyed. Can we all dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Yes, do not allow sin to hold you captive any longer.

We cannot establish our own righteousness. We have obtained righteousness through Jesus Christ. Righteousness that is of faith and not of works. Righteousness that is by obedience and faith in Christ Jesus. He will restore the Joy of our salvation. Obedience to the point of friendship, for a servant does not know what his master is doing. [see John 15:15]. Listen to the words of Jesus.

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

John 15:10

Jesus spoke these things that our joy might be full. Is your joy full? Press in deeper and obey and stay within the love of God. We are to grow and become more than just servants. We are to be friends that know what the will of God is. He has chosen us and ordained us to bear good fruit. [see John 15:16]. Let us continue in His love by keeping and obeying His word. As we repent and obey, we have His righteousness along with the fullness of joy, love, and peace.

Hear and Obey

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”

Hebrews 5:8

Obedience to God was short lived after Israel’s Exodus of Egypt. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience. I kept hearing, “they did not hearken to my voice.” Psalms 81:11 states the same, plus it exclaims, “that Israel would have none of me.” Can you imagine what it is like to be ignored? To refuse and acknowledge God. They did not hear and obey God. Just imagine how God felt, yet He still stretches out His hand and will not forget His people. God’s handiwork in our creation is amazing. David exclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works. My substance was not hidden from thee, when I was made in secret,” [see Psalms 139]. God had raised up David to be a king over Israel. Just read what Luke said in Acts about David.

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

Acts 13:22

God had found David, a man after His own heart who fulfilled His will. David learned obedience even though He had fallen into sin, yet he repented. Do you have any skeletons in your closet? Something you are hiding and shameful about. As an illegitimate child born in this world, I have often thought about the father that I did not know. The ridicule I received as I grew up was that I was a constant reminder to my mother of my biological father’s physical characteristics. I learned later that my biological father did not forget me since he told his current wife about me. Yet, God provided a stepfather who had wisdom and kindness to step in. I am very grateful that I had a father who cared and loved me enough to instruct me even though he was not my biological father. I also learned that God did not forget me in my youth but saved me by his hand and directed me to go home when I ran away from home. I heard his voice and obeyed.

It is through suffering that we are able to understand the meaning of love. We read that all have sinned because of Adam’s transgression, and even those who have not sinned [see Romans 5:14]. What saved humanity is God’s love for all of us. Jew and Gentiles, all races and nations.

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

Romans 5:19

Through Adam’s disobedience all were made sinners. Through the obedience of God’s son Jesus Christ, all are made righteous. This is the gift of righteousness that came from the love of God. We are justified through the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.“

John 1:17

Let’s back up and consider the meaning of obedience. The Hebrew word for obedience is “shama,” and it is usually translated to mean “to hear.” This is a physical action to listen, then obey what you have heard. Had I not heard God’s voice and obeyed, I would not be here today writing this devotional. We do not know what He has instore for those who obey his voice. Obedience gives one the blessings of God. The blessings are fellowship with God, answered prayer, fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the revelations of God’s will. The apostle Paul states that we have been planted together with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed, so we would not serve sin, [see Romans 6:6]. We are to yield ourselves to the new life we have through Jesus unto God.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

Romans 6:13

Read on to verse 14 of Romans chapter six where it states that “sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.” We are not to yield ourselves as servants of uncleanness and iniquity, but unto servants to righteousness unto holiness, [see Romans 6:19]. Through Christ is the power of sin destroyed and we yield ourselves to God in faith and He will manifest the results. We must allow God to cultivate our heart by His Spirit. We must be molded into the image of Christ. If we have been baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ. Christ has freed us from the bondage of sin and the law. We hear His voice and obey His word. Christ is the victor, and He has put ” all things under his feet.” He must reign till he hath put all His enemies under his feet, [see 1 Corinthians 15:27]. The final victory is over death itself. The resurrection of our bodies at the coming of our Lord. The dead in Christ will rise first before those who are alive at His coming, [see 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17]. This is marvelous and we are to comfort one another with these words.

Let us comfort one another with words of encouragement that there is an everlasting future with our God. Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Praise God! There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in this present time or in the future. We have the assurance of the promise of His word and His word can never be voided. It will accomplish what it was sent out to do.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

Christ suffered through obedience and went to the cross, died and arose to save us all.

Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.

Acts 13:23

Let us hear and obey His word. Draw near unto God and He will draw near unto you. Let us pray for the harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God and wait patiently for His coming.