Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Obedience (01/31/05)
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TITLE: Obedience - A Life-Changing Reality | Previous Challenge Entry
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02/06/05 -
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From the time we’re small we’re taught to obey. Obedience is the key
to rewards. Rewards are what we pray for, hope for, and work for.
Being “human”, we tend to focus on the rewards that come from being
obedient. Because rewards make us feel important and accepted.
Obedience on the part of a single individual can change a life. An act
of obedience on the part of one man changed the lives of people
forever. That one act of obedience opened the door to life for all who
choose to receive it. The second half of Romans 5:19 says “...so also
through the obedience of the one man the many will be made
righteous” (NIV). Jesus’ obedience to God’s will was the ultimate act
of obedience. If we find it sometimes difficult to obey, try to imagine
what it must have been like to die on the cross for all of mankind!
Even Jesus experienced a moment of wavering at the task that was
ahead of Him. “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet
not my will, but Yours be done”, Luke 22:42 (NIV). Jesus knew what
had to be done and He did it, out of His love for all mankind and out of
His heart of obedience. The results gave hope to the world.
I wonder sometimes how deep my own conviction of obedience goes.
What would I be willing to give up in order to be obedient? Does my
free will often get the best of me in situations that I want to control?
Or am I willing to let go of the security I have built in the things I can
see to let God take over and show me, again, that all the security I
need is in Him?
Most of us have been conditioned to believe that we need to rise to the
top, no matter what the cost. We see people realize their dreams of
success, often with tremendous stress, not to mention the cost. It
eases my mind to know that God has taken all the stress out of
success; not only out of success, but out of life; if we submit ourselves
to Him. Out of our obedience, comes His prosperity and peace.
Leaving behind the road to success that I have paved for myself to
follow the path for prosperity that the Lord placed before me seems
like a great deal! All it costs is obedience, which, when all is
calculated, is no cost at all, because the results bring benefits to us
and glory to God!
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