A Soul of Obedience

A great irony of the Christian faith involves obedience. Many reject our faith because they don’t want to give up certain “freedoms” in their lives. Ironically, these same “freedoms” actually lead to bondage - addictions, idols, opinions of others, endless pursuit of pleasure etc... Alternatively, a life of faithful obedience to God’s commandments leads us to true freedom.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdens

Everyone wants a savior, not everyone wants a “Lord.” A saving faith requires that we willingly submit to God’s authority in every area of our lives. We recognize that our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us and we seek His will through obedience. Culture encourages us to live an independent and self-centered life, devoid of any authority other than ourselves. This life of total independence leads us to bondage as we become imprisoned by desires that can never be satisfied.

 Psalm 119:44-45 I will always obey your law forever and ever, I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts.

 Boundaries don’t restrict our freedom; they protect our freedom. This principle is true in every area of our lives. We must have healthy boundaries in our relationships, finances and fitness or we will be very disappointed with the results. Boundaries provide guardrails that produce health, protection, and freedom.

Our Creator knows and wants what is best for us. He designed us for a life of obedience. His commandments give us boundaries that protect us spiritually, physically, and emotionally. This passage in Psalms encourages us to live a life of obedience – one that prospers and thrives:

 Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

 The Christian life is freedom from sin - not freedom to sin.

 Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature: rather, serve one another in love.

 We have freedom from our sins through our faith in Jesus Christ. His gift of grace is a blessing but not a license for habitual sin. Though we will fall short and stumble, it doesn’t mean we should ever get comfortable having sin in our lives. God hates sin and our hearts should be aligned with His so that we hate sin as well. A saving faith will condition our hearts with a desire to please and obey God because of our love for Him. This is the path to the true freedom that we all seek.