The Truth About Obedience Christians Often Get Wrong

Sharing is caring!

Not long ago, I had one of those “AHA” moments when I realized that there’s something Christians often get wrong.

I know I’ve had times when I’ve gotten it wrong.

What is IT?

Obedience.

James wrote…

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James 2:26

The Spirit through James wanted us to KNOW that faith and works are companions. When you and I SEEK, KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST GOD, He will also transform us and give us the desire to OBEY.

However, the thing we often get wrong is the motive behind our obedience. Because of our sinful nature, it’s easy for us to do “good works” to…

• Earn God’s favor.
• Look good at church.
• Make friends and influence others.
• Feel good about ourselves.
• Have life “go well for us.”
• All of the above?

And you might ask—what’s wrong with those answers?

The problem is…

Everything on that list is ME-focused!

The truth about obedience that we often get wrong is that our motives are often self-centered and selfish.

Recently, I read Deuteronomy and the following words practically jumped off the page:

“If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in His ways, the Lord will establish you as His holy people as He swore He would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.”

Deuteronomy 28:9–10

We are not called to obedience to show the world who we are … we are to obey to show the world who God is.

Not to show that we are good, but to show that He is good, loving, and kind.

Not to show that we are better than those who don’t obey, but to show that God’s ways are best.

So, I’m making it my goal to hold the following words in my heart.

“I don’t want to obey God to show the world who I am . . . I want to obey Him to show the world who He is because I love Him.”

Obeying God’s commands is not about you and me. It’s not about theology or doctrine. It’s not about being right or doing it right. It’s not even about being holy.

When we LOVE and TRUST God, our obedience will be about Him. It’s about making choices that glorify the One who loves us so much He died to show us.

Obedience is just the way we express our faith in and love for God.

John wrote…

Those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in him.

1 John 2:5

Can you imagine how this simple Spirit-empowered attitude adjustment has the power to change everything? It would mean…

• No more judgmental pride.
• No more rejection.
• No more unforgiveness.
• No more division.
• No more ___________.

Will we do it perfectly? No. But I believe it would change us and honor God if we made it a goal.

Obedience is not about you or me. It’s not about following the rules. About seeing to it others obey the rules. About judgment, fitting in, or doing it right.

Obedience is KNOWing and Doing God’s will for His glory. Jesus said…

“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30–31)

Loving God with all we are is responding to His perfect unfailing love and loving others is showing them God’s love and His power to transform lives.

So, we prayerfully strive to model these words of Paul…

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Know and Live the Truth About Obedience

Father, I love you! I want to KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY YOU. Your Word says You know my heart and my motives and I want to obey You with God-pleasing motives. I want to glorify You in ways that will show Your love to the people around me. I want the world to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST You. 

Your Word tells me I don’t have to do life on my own. It promises that You will never leave me or forsake me. It says that You will help and guide me and that when I am tempted, You will show me a way of escape. By Your grace, I don’t have to try to obey through my strength alone. This promise blesses and encourages me.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13

Thank you for faithfully giving me everything I need to TRUST and OBEY You. Please make obedience the desire of my heart and help me model the life and love of my Savior, Jesus.

Please help me through the power of Your Spirit. Work in and through me so that everyone I meet might want to KNOW You because they see You in me. By Your grace and for Your glory I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The truth about obedience is that we are called to show God’s love and reflect His glory. And yes, we will be blessed when we obey because God’s will is always for our good and His glory.

Although we won’t always obey Him with the right motives and attitudes God promises to help us. He knows we can’t on our own but with His help, we can…

… do everything through Christ, who gives [us] strength.

Philippians 4:13

What we cannot do alone, we can do with His strength.

May we trust and obey in response to the One who knows us best and loves us most. He promises to give us the strength we need to live in faith with hope and love.

Remember…

You are not alone. You are loved. You are God’s precious child.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!