Earth Is Heaven's BootcampНамуна

Obedience

Bootcamp requires obedience! Mankind, for some reason, seems to have a hard time with authority. You and I both know that if we aren’t set straight as kids, we tend to become rebellious when a parent or guardian tells us what to do, and that carries over into adulthood.

During the reign of King Saul, God was displeased with him due to his disobedience. Samuel was a priest and a prophet. He was also not happy with the king. Below is part of his conversation with Saul.

“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15:22 NLT

Did you get that? Obedience is BETTER than sacrifice. What does God have to say?

· “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 NKJV

· “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.” Exodus 19:5 NLT

· “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.” Exodus 19:5 NLT

· “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” Romans 1:5 NLT

The last scripture I referenced tells us that obedience comes from faith. The deeper/stronger our faith, the more obedient we will want to be.

If you are a parent, you know how your heart feels when your child/children are obedient versus being rebellious. You don’t love the child any less; however, connecting and having that close, personal relationship with a person who is always bucking you is very difficult. So it is with God. If you aren’t a parent, we could use the same analogy with a friendship. That friend who is always on the defensive and doing the contrary of what you know is right puts a wedge in the relationship.

Prayer: Lord, please help each of us become a person of obedience, always wanting to grow our spiritual bond with You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.