Obedience – what is it?

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

²² And Samuel said, “Has 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 listen than the fat of rams.

What does it mean to you to obey? I remember the vows that was recommended and used by the minister that performed our wedding thirty one years ago. He added the word “obey” to my wife’s vows. I think to the concept to obey brings to some an immediate response of fear and resentment. Maybe even an immediate response of rejection. In our postmodern society to obey is below us and as I mentioned earlier carries the immediate response of “I don’t have to.”

                 

What about when it comes to obeying God? It appears to me that a lot of people in today’s world struggle with this question. Either they are in total disobedience or they are trying so hard to find how to be obedient. Those in the first category may or may not admit they are in total disobedience but they are. This is extremely upsetting to the God Almighty. In Samuel’s case in 1 Samuel 15 he finds Saul in total disobedience to God yet doing what looked like service to God. Wow, now that is a complex situation. Total disobedience in service, church service, does this happen today? Oh I think so and probably more than we recognize or admit.

John Piper writes in his new book Think, “Jesus does not equate loving God with serving God. He roots serving God in loving God.” To love God is the first and greatest commandment. To love God should be the number one reason why we live. So if we are in service to God that means we are totally loving God, right? That is not necessarily true and not what I see in Scripture. I served God for fourteen years while all the time running (disobeying) a call from Him. Saul was much in the same situation. I firmly believe we can be going through the motions in serving God while at the same time be totally disconnected and disobeying Him.

So what is the answer? Jesus said “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” First logic is that if we are serving we are keeping His commandments, right? That is not what He said. Jesus said, “If you love me…” this is the answer. I think we need to have a regular heart check to validate that our service is first, motivated totally by love and second is what Jesus really wants us to be doing. I don’t know about you but I find myself assuming too much of the time and I don’t want to assume what Jesus wants in my service I want to know. As a dear brother of mine often says, “we need to have a come-to-Jesus session” quite regularly. Make your first purpose to love Him and don’t forget to love Him in your service.