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| Obedience |
| Introduction Read Romans 13:1-7 Read Joshua 6:1-5, 20 Read 1 Samuel 15:22 Read Philemon 8-9, 21 Conclusion |
| In one way or another, we are all rebellious. There are a set of values that we live by yet these values are not always that the standard that God has set for us. What God desires is for us to be obedient to His commands. In addition, God has also placed some in positions of authority over others and expects us to be obedient to those people. Whether princes or kings, governors or presidents, we are to submit to those people who govern us and obey the laws that they decree. Clearly, this does not mean that we are to violate God's standards that He has command of us. Nor does this give any government absolute authority, for all governments are answerable to God. How often will a good Christians chastises others for minor traffic infractions, yet they themselves are unwilling to observe other traffic laws (Matthew 7:3-5). If we are unwilling to obey minor laws how willing are we to obey God's commands? Storming the fortified city, digging in for a long siege, or conceding defeat would have appeared to be the only viable military options open to the Israelis. All three options were not with out there problems, but image the people's surprise as Joshua presented a fourth option, God's on plan for the battle. Though the plan defied all military logic, it was a plan that in no way exceeded what the people were capable of handling. But for the plan to work, the people had to be obedient. Since they were obedient, the people were able to claimed victory. The Lord has never desired sacrifice from his people. God's desire is for us to obey him. In Jeremiah 7:23, we see that if the people of the Old Testament obeyed the Lord and followed his commands, it would have been well with them. But since we all go astray at some point in time, the Lord made it possible for us to be redeemed through the blood of his son, Jesus. Does this mean that we are free to do what we want and act the way we want; of course the answer is no. How often will we grudging obey someone in authority? God does not want us to grudgingly obey Him for the Lord wants our heartfelt obedience. In this set of verse, Paul could have commanded Philemon, but instead Paul appealed to him. Ephesians 6:5-6 shows us that no matter what our position is in this life, we are to obey with respect and sincerity. The Lord has the power and authority to force us to obey Him, but His desire is for us to willing obedience. There are many areas of our lives in which we are rebellious and though self-justification we believe we are right. We must always search the true motivation of why we do something. When we are obedient to God's commands we will live in harmony with God's will. |
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