Obedience

Happy Sunday! Today we're going to finish our study called Great Expectations. Thank you for watching and for listening. I pray that you are challenged and encouraged by these messages.

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Today I want to talk about obedience. God expects us to be obedient. I read long ago that there are three good reasons to be obedient. Number one, fear: the fear of what might happen, are the consequences if you're not obedient. Secondly, anticipation of reward if you are obedient. And number three, you would be obedient because you love the one who gave you the command.

First, let's talk about fear of consequences. If you had strict parents, you understand this one very well. The phrase "Just wait till your father gets home" was a real attention-getter in some of our houses. In school, teachers once upon a time could use a paddle on you. And then the biggest threat to me in school was something they talked about when I was in elementary school. It was called the permanent record.

As a child, I was scared to death of what might be on my permanent record. I had a picture in my mind of some impenetrable vault underneath Hammond Elementary School where all my sins were listed. By the way, scripture teaches that there is a record. In Matthew 12:36, Jesus says, "I tell you, on the day of judgment you will give have to give an account for every careless word you utter." Listen to these words from Second Corinthians 5:10: "For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil."

I am keenly aware of the consequences of not obeying God. Scripture is very clear. But that is not my motivating factor for being obedient. Could it be reason two, the anticipation of a reward if I am obedient?

Back to the school example: the reward was graduation. Some teachers would use graduation as a motivation for their students. Economists tell you the value of an education; the reward is real. Football season is upon us. Teams practice an unbearable heat in the summer months so they can reap the rewards of victory in the fall.

We live in a reward driven society. Anticipate, anticipation of reward is also scriptural. First Corinthians 2:9 tells us, "No eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." Yes, I am anticipating a reward one day. However, that is not my main reason for obedience to God.

I firmly believe in heaven, and I truly look forward to being there one day. Yet if this life was all that there was, I would still want to live with Christian values. The reason I try to be obedient to God is reason number three: I love the command giver.

Again, let me use the school example. Students do better for teachers that they really care for. Athletes play better for coaches that they love. When fear does not work, when reward does not work, love works. I believe that love is the key to obedience. I love God; therefore, I will be obedient.

One section of scripture that makes sense and this light is in Exodus chapter 20. Beginning in verse 3, the Ten Commandments are given, but the first two verses are most interesting. I think that they talk about love that leads to obedience. Exodus 20 begins this way: "Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." Right after those two verses, we are given the Ten Commandments.

I think between verse two and verse three, the word "therefore" would help. What God is saying is, "I have done so much for you. I have cared for you. I have protected you. I have delivered you. I have loved you. Therefore, follow these rules. Be obedient." Jesus said this in John 14:15: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

I've been a follower of Christ for over 50 years now. I am not motivated by fear of consequences. My sins have been forgiven, and hell is not in my future. I'm really looking forward to heaven, yet the anticipation of reward is not what drives me. I try to follow God in obedience because I want to please him.

He's been so good. It is not about me; it is about him. It's my prayer that you love the command giver and that you're always obedient. Next week we will begin a series on the Lord's Prayer. I hope you'll join me.

Pray with me now. Father, help us to love you so much that following you is just a natural part of what we do, that we have a genuine desire to please the lawgiver, that we would be obedient sons and daughters wherever we are on our journey. Whether it's fear that motivates us, our reward that motivates us, help love to change us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

God bless you. Thanks for joining me today.