Walk Of Life – Day 5, August 2021 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs – Right Attitude

Right Attitude To Obey

I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! – Proverbs 5:13

Obedience can be costly, obedience can be difficult, but genuine obedience is seldom boring. From the beginnings of the church, believers have faced the world with the attitude of obedience to God whatever the cost.

The attitude of obedience is the priority of obeying God over every other demand in your life. Do you obey God rather than men? The phrase “obedience is better than sacrifice,” has often perplexed Christians. It can only be understood from an Old Testament perspective. The law required the Israelite people to offer sacrifices to God, but those sacrifices and offerings were never intended to take the place of obedience.

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22–23, NLT)

The books of 1 and 2 John clearly explain that obedience to God demonstrates love for God. Loving God implies following his commands:

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (1 John 5:2–3,)
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. (2 John 6,)

When we obey God, we show our trust and faith in him:

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3–6)

In Jesus Christ, we find the perfect model of obedience. As his disciples, we follow Christ’s example as well as his commands. Our motivation for obedience is love:

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Prayer: Teach me to love you more every day Lord. May nothing be sweeter to me than loving you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.