What is Obedience? Obedience is a willing or an unwilling carrying out of an order / command.

Volunteering is (someone of his or her) own free will doing something with the consequences/ rewards clearly in mind.

General Characteristics of Obedience:

* Obedience does not expect any rewards. It's duty: Luke 17: 10.
* Obedience often may not be pleasing or favourable to us-as in Children.
* Obedience may be difficult and costly sometimes. e.g. Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego in Babylon and the Apostles in Acts 5: 29. But the cost of disobedience is far greater and higher than obedience. e.g. Adam & Eve, King Saul, Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5).
* Obedience is unconditional: it's not "if - then".
* Obedience is not optional- it "must"- no alternative.
* Obedience must be complete, wholehearted: not half-hearted, incomplete. e.g. Saul and Peter (Luke 5:5).
* In Obedience, the attitude is more important than the action. When you are willing to obey in the heart, then God helps to act in obedience. God appreciates the attitude of obedience and begins to bless even before you act on it. e.g. Abraham leaving his people by faith and offering Isaac in obedience to God's command.
* God is calling for obedience not Volunteering.
* Many volunteers left Jesus (Jn. 6:66). Jesus called for obedience from people, when He said "Follow Me, take up your cross, forsake all," etc.

The Importance of Obedience:

1. The basis of discipleship: John 8:31, 13: 34,35. As they followed, their discipleship began.
2. The proof of our love for Jesus and our motivating force: Jn. 14:15,21.
3. The mark of true children of God-the seal of our relationship: 1Peter 1:14, 1Jn.2:3.
4. The evidence of conversion-changed from rebellious life to obedient life: Romans 6:16.
5. The secret of getting answer to our prayers: 1Jn. 3:22.
6. The secret of victory over devil: James 4:7. When you obey God, Satan can't stand before you!
7. The sure foundation-unshakable-for building our lives, etc: Matthew 7: 21-27, Lk. 6: 46.
8. The source of purification for our souls: 1Peter 1: 22.The more you obey, the more holy you become.
9. The condition for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit:Acts 5: 32. Obedient heart is receptive to God' Spirit.
10. The superiority over sacrifice-first obey and then give: 1Sam.15: 22. 2 Cor.8:5.
11. Gives authority to command: Lk. 7: 8.
12. The Great Commission includes obedience: Matt. 28:18-20. teaching them to obey, not just listen!

The Levels of obedience:
1. Obey God first: Acts 5:29.
2. Obey your parents: Eph. 6:1-2.
3.Obey your husband: Eph. 5:22, 1Peter 3:6.
4. Obey the Church Leaders: Hebrews 13:17.
5. Obey the authorities in the world: Eph. 6:5, Titus 3:1, Rom. 13:1-2.

The Greatest Example of Obedience: Our Lord Jesus Christ.
* He learned obedience: Heb.5:8. How much we need to learn, it does not come automatically!
* Always sought the Father's will: Jn 5:30. Need to be renewed in our minds: Romans 12.
* Always did what was pleasing to the Father: Jn.8:29.
* Completed and finished the work given to Him by the father: Jn.17:4,6,8,12,14,22,26.
* Was obedient even unto death: Phil. 2:8; Eph. 5:2.

Learning obedience:
* Your spiritual Maturity is in proportion to your obedience. To grow you need to obey. Faith grows by it.
* Surrender yourself, determine to obey, be strong. Tell yourself- "I can" Phil.4:13.
* Grow in the grace & knowledge of Lord Jesus: 2Peter 3:18.
* Trust in the Lord-put an end to self-reliance: Proverbs 3:5,6.
* End divided loyalty: Matt.6:24. Take a stand for Christ!

The blessing promised to those who obey: Isaiah 1:19-20. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devored with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Amen!

(9.10.2000)