“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was without sin was obedient to the Father. He came down in human flesh and offered Himself as the sacrifice for the remission of our sins. Jesus Christ chose to be obedient to persecution even though He has all the power to conquer and overcome His persecutors as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Moreover, when Jesus told His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and be killed and then raised again the third day. Peter said, “Lord, this should not happen to you, Jesus responded immediately with authority in Him, ‘get thee behind me, Satan...'” (See Matthew 16:21-24).
There is a big lesson to take home from the way Jesus responded to Peter. Jesus instantly recognized the voice that spoke out of Peter was not of God and it is better to rebuke such voice and be obedient to the will of the Father. Jesus knew that heeding to such a voice will give way to the will of the flesh, and He needs to fulfill His purpose and set a good example for His followers to imitate so as not to go astray and abort God’s purpose for them. We should be spiritually minded at all times. We should not accept any advice that is contrary to the Word of God.
So, what is obedience?
Obedience is total submission to the Word and the Will of God even in persecution and temptation.
Jesus’ example of obedience to the will of God encouraged His disciples, which was why Paul could boldly say in 2 Timothy 4:6, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
Obedience is an act of Worship
Obedience to the Word and the Will of God is actually an act of worshiping Him. It means submitting to His supremacy for our own good and to the glory of God the Father.
Shedrack, Meshack, and Abed-nego were mindful of the commandment of God. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.” (Exodus 20:3-5)
Shedrack, Meshack, and Abed-nego refused to bow to the golden image the King Nebuchadnezzar set up as gods. They were threatened to be thrown into the burning fiery furnace. They didn’t compromise their faith and disobey God. But rather, they answered the king. They said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter, if it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” (Daniel 3:16-17)
They were thrown into the burning fiery furnace but their response to the king provoked divine intervention from God. Nothing happened to them because God was with them. The king himself promoted the three of them in the province of Babylon and made a decree that lifted the name of God (see Daniel 3:16-30).
Questions
Do you live a lifestyle that encourages others to worship God?
Are you confident in God’s promises?
Do you fear the Lord and stand for the truth or rather compromise to disobey Him?
There are so many wrong ways and pieces of advice that seem right. But in end cause pain, regret, loss, and even delayed blessings from God. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”. (Proverbs 14:12)
Confessions – Prayer Points
- I receive the grace to be spiritually minded unto life and peace, in the name of Jesus (see Romans 8:6).
- I will not live a life contrary to the Word of God, in Jesus’ name (see Matthew 7:24-27).
- The fear of the Lord is my strong confidence (see Proverbs 14:26).
- The joy of the Lord is my strength (see Nehemiah 8:10).
- I will acknowledge God in all my ways, and He shall direct my path (see Proverbs 3:6).
