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Obedience Is Our Responsibility!

God’s provisions to create in us a desire for God’s holiness consist of revealing the reign of sin, placing us under the blood of Christ and giving us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to reveal sin, and enable us live out the Lord’s will. Being new creatures in Christ we are given truths that must govern our lives, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) The writer of the Book of Hebrews writes, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) The Apostle Peter in writing about the “Day of the Lord” wrote, “…make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.” (2 Peter 3:14) The Apostle Paul exhorted, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…” (Colossians 3:5)

From the time of Adam and Eve until the return of Christ, the whole of Scripture teaches us that we are to walk the walk of obedience to show the Lord that He is the purpose for everything we think, say and do. The Lord has made and will make provision--it is our responsibility to respond to His mercy. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

The unpleasant truth is, when we sin we choose to sin, it is not an affliction from the devil. (James 1:14) Bitterness, factions, envy, jealously, hatred, sexual immorality, selfish ambition, drunkenness and the like are all chosen sins, fruit from not wanting God’s righteousness in our lives. (Romans 1:18-32, Galatians 5:19)

There is a blessed truth for the child of God: The right choice of obedience leads to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:20)

Being a born again Christian does not make obedience easy. Glenda Fulton Davis wrote, “It’s not always easy to smile and be nice when we are called to sacrifice. It’s not always easy to put others first, especially when tired and feeling our worst. It’s not always easy to do the Father’s will. It wasn’t so easy to climb Calvary’s hill. But we as His children should learn to obey. Not seeking our own but seeking His way. It’s not always easy to fight the good fight. But it is always good and it is always right.”

Jesus, God’s only son, the only one who walked this sin trodden earth sin free was not exempt from having to walk in the humility of obedience. (Luke 22:42) Philippians 2:8 says, “And being found in appearance as a man, He [Jesus] humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on the cross!” The Bible says, “Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him…” (Hebrews 5:8) Those who claim to be putting on Christ must walk in obedience.

Choose to die to self, walk in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25) in full obedience to God’s decrees (Leviticus 20:8), for Jesus’ sake (Romans 12:1),