The Convenience of Obedience

Originally posted here

“Obedience just isn't always the most convenient. In fact, most of the time it's unrealistic for my life.”

Let's just be realistic here for a second.

Obedience is very helpful, and very convenient at times. And I'm not talking about the times when we are the ones being obeyed.

I'm talking about those nasty times when you are told to do something, yet you do not want to do it. When basically not doing it would be called disobeying.

Oh, yeah, those times.

What lovely times.

But seriously, we all will have to admit at some point: Obedience is a necessary part of life, rules are the only strategy we have to stop full-out chaos.

You may not want to stop at those red lights. But in the end it will be the most convenient thing to do to stop from dying in an immediate car crash.

It may seem pretty fun as a little kid to do what ever you want, “forget” half the rules, but even a kid finds obeying the rules will eventually let them get away with more.

Rules.

Any intelligent person will know that it is only logical that life be full of them (personal rules and rules others hold us accountable to), that societies be built by them, that governments be ruled by them.

Then why is it in religion it is the rules we look down on?

What is so wrong about these rules? Is it legalism?

Or is legalism just a word we use to get away with being selfish?

Think about it.

All rules have reason. Especially God's, the one who created reason and logic.

So why do we rebel against obeying?

Why?

Is it that hard to do what is best for us? (Obviously yes, or none of us would eat sugary, artificial foods that kill). ;)

But as to inconvenient?

None of what God has asked is inconvenient. Not any of His word is legalistic. That's our flesh warring against what we want, what we desire.

Because God's love and sacrifice was designed for our convenience, to save us from a very miserable, inconvenient heat.

Believe me guys, the path to Hell may seem more easy and fun, but in the end it sure won't seem like we had made the most wise decision. It won't be so convenient for our skin.

Guys, obeying is good, it is necessary. For our well-being, our soul destination, our relationships.

I have always loved this verse. This story is just so great. It expresses God's desire for our hearts to be right with Him, not in doing what we think is right.

(1 Samuel 15:22) Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams.

Saul had been told to wait for Samuel to perform the sacrifice, but he was too anxious to start the war, afraid that God and Samuel would not be there for him. So he disobeyed and performed the sacrifice, in the end angering God and forfeiting his own throne.

Why do we choose to think that the only way is our way?

Why must we question all of God's commandments to try and see if they will work for our lives, fit into what we think and believe?

Is life that much about false convenience that we forget the truth about obedience?

It's time we draw closer to God, and stop thinking about what we can try and get away with.

Choose to follow Yeshua (Jesus).

Let's stop trying to get around obeying God's will. It will never work out.

(John 14:21) He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

(1 John 5:3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.