“10 Benefits from Obeying God”
Obedience and the way we think are linked. The more we obey, the more our minds change and we want to obey. The more our minds change, the more our hearts and lives are lived in accordance with God’s game plan for our lives. There are five additional benefits to obeying God that will be of help to you today.
1) I have a hatred toward sin:
“I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path" (Psalm 119:104).
The more your heart becomes inclined toward God, the more you begin to develop a hatred of sin. This is key, because sin is always destructive. No matter how attractive it looks or feels in the short term, it is in the end a destructive pathway. Proverbs 16 tells us that there is a way that seems right unto us, but the end is death.
Sin is, at its core, a rebellion against God. God has designed his plan for us to benefit from His goodness towards us.
7) I have increased ability to serve God:
Never try to explain God until you have obeyed Him. The only bit of God we understand is the bit we have obeyed. (Oswald Chambers in Run Today's Race. Christianity Today, Vol. 35, no. 11.)
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
Our vision statement here at CVC is that unchurched people will become followers of Jesus Christ and that disciples will grow through systematic teaching and application of God’s Word. The more that we follow after God, the more equipped we are to be part of His work in this world. Our lives are “made useful” to Him and we begin to grasp His purpose in the world.
8) I have been freed from the power of sin over me:
"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin" (Romans 6:6-7).
The fruit of the Spirit grows only in the garden of obedience. (Terry Fullam, Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 3.)
A fundamental difference between Christ followers and non-believers is the capacity for obedience. Someone without the Spirit of Christ living within them simply cannot live their lives in obedience to God’s standard of perfect obedience. And while we continue to wrestle with our “old nature," part of God’s promise is for our victory over sin.
9) I have victory over the adversary of my soul:
C.S. Lewis said that if “Satan cannot steal you for all eternity, then his goal is to neutralize you in time”.
Hard to believe isn’t it? The plain truth from God’s instruction manual (the Bible) is that you have an enemy of your soul. An outright adversary who wants to prevent you from entering into relationship with your Creator and who wants to keep you from right relationship with Him along the way.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:8-9).
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you“ (James 4:7).
10) I have a delight in God’s law
“Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in your commands because I love them" (Psalm 119:43-47).
What were you made to do?
You were made to be in right relationship with God
Obedience is a choice between alignment and rebellion
Make this your prayer:
“May my cry come before you, O LORD;give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. (Psalm 119:169-176)
