Is There Freedom in Obedience?

​I start this blog by confessing I have not kept my word. I planned to write about the importance of obedience to God’s Word once a month, and I have failed to keep that promise. So many of you must be extremely disappointed; I know just how much you were hoping to read about the importance of denying the flesh and obeying the Spirit. (WINK!)



It’s more pleasurable to fulfill your worldly lusts and desires than to be restricted to the demands of God’s Word, isn’t it? Well, not quite, but that’s just what Satan would love for you to believe so he feeds this lie to you. And to me….



Just recently, I could hear a voice in the distance trying to convince me that one can be semi-obedient to God’s Word and still reap the benefits of His favor, overflow, and blessings. Although on some level that may be true, any amount of disobedience steals the fullness of experiencing God. If you cheat, you get cheated. That’s just the way it works.



Unfortunately, I humored this voice and listened to what it had to say. Being tired, worn out from the world and too weak to conquer my own thoughts, I wanted to take an easier route. One that didn’t demand so much of me.



I need a break, God. I mean, I’m only human, right? Let me have a little vacay from living so strictly.



As soon as my thinking started to go south, guess who showed up at my door? I’ll give you a hint … the trickiest, sneakiest, deadliest snake to have ever graced this world with his presence. He didn’t come dressed in red. There was no pitchfork in hand or hoofed feet. Now, this will be shocking … there were no horns on his head! Nope! But he was in disguise, just not the disguise one might expect. He was clever enough to merge his lies with my own thoughts.  



Satan’s mouth never stopped flapping, spewing lies such as, “Total obedience isn’t necessary to get into the Kingdom of heaven. You can still enjoy the temptations of the world and receive God’s blessings in your life. A little sin never hurt anyone, just control it … don’t go crazy with it. You won’t lose your standing with God.”



Get BEHIND  me, Satan!



​Obedience isn’t constricting, sin is because it limits your ability to receive. Ooh, that was good, and it came from my mouth. Let’s say it again … Sin is constricting; it limits your ability to receive! Sin never prospers. Freedom isn’t found in sin. Freedom is found in obedience, which opens up countless amounts of opportunities in life! Put another way, obedience opens up the FLOODGATES of PROSPERITY!!!!!  



Is obedience really all that hard? Jesus said following Him isn’t the easiest thing to do. In fact, He said, “The gateway to life is VERY NARROW and the road is DIFFICULT, and only a FEW will ever find it” Matthew 7:14. Think about those words for a minute. Did He just say only a few of us are going to make our way into heaven?



Let’s not get lazy in our cross-carrying, peeps!



Jesus was very clear about what it would take to have a place in the Kingdom. He didn’t stutter! He said to desert our current lives in order to follow Him (Matt. 19:21). He told us to stop loving the things of this world—to put aside our own desires and instead desire nothing but Him. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” Luke 9:23. What does this mean? It means to say “No” to yourself and “Yes” to God. It means, “Not my will but Yours be done” Luke 22:42.      

 

Jesus put things into perspective, we are to choose God above all else, even our own families, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Whoa! Those are strong words. Are we supposed to hate our families in order to follow Jesus? I thought He was a peace, love and joy kind of guy?! (Scratching my head.)



Jesus isn’t teaching hate. He’s teaching sacrifice. He’s forewarning us that in order to truly be a follower of Christ we must be prepared to give up everything, even our lives. But our reward is eternal life with the Father.



This is why it’s a very difficult road with a very narrow gateway. Only few make it because only few are willing to deny themselves. Many love to live in the world, giving into worldly lusts and pleasures. The devil loves to tempt, and many fall for his schemes.



I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jesus isn’t interested in whether or not you believe—even the demons believe (James 2:19)—He’s interested in whether or not you’re willing to FOLLOW.



​Ask yourself today: Are you willing to deny your worldly lusts to say “Yes” to Jesus? Are you willing to leave everything behind, if need be? Are you willing to lose friends and family in order to walk this very narrow road with Jesus? If not, what would it take to get you there?

Jesus sacrificed His life so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life with the Father. How hard is it really to sacrifice the things of this world when they only lead to death anyway?



As for me, I am not a lover of this world. It has nothing of substance to offer me and will one day pass away (Luke 21:33). I long for the day to be with my Savior!