Embracing the Riches of Obedience

Embracing the Riches of Obedience

Back in 1987, at just sixteen years of age, I preached my first message at a Nazarene church in Deland, FL. The title of the message – “The Blessing of Obedience.” My text came from the remarkable account in John 2:1-12 where Jesus miraculously turned water into the finest wine any man had ever tasted. I had only two simple points; the servants were blessed to be a part of Jesus’ first miracle because they obeyed His command, and the entire wedding party was blessed by the overflow of their obedience.

Decades later, I continuously see that simple truth resonating in Scripture; those who are obedient to God’s Word will be richly blessed.

Consider Acts 5:32, where Peter declares that the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon those who faithfully obey God—a divine gift surpassing all others. The magnitude of such a blessing is profound.

Yet, the blessings of obedience are not confined to one passage. Moses articulates a divine connection between obedience and blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-6. Here, obedience is likened to a key unlocking a treasure trove of divine favor, enriching every aspect of life.

The Psalmist David echoes this sentiment in Psalm 19:11, affirming that obedience yields abundant rewards—a truth echoed by James in James 1:25.

Moreover, Jesus Himself emphasizes the intimate bond between love and obedience in John 14:23 and Luke 11:28. For those who walk in obedience, a deeper communion with God and an abundance of blessings await.

Yet, some may view God's commands as daunting, a burdensome yoke to bear. However, the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:30 and John in 1 John 5:3 paint a different picture. God's commands are not oppressive; they are liberating. They find their essence in love, as Paul asserts in Galatians 5:14.

Indeed, Jesus succinctly summarizes the entirety of God's law with two commands: love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

The truth is, God's commands are not restrictive; they are liberating. They serve as guideposts, illuminating the path to abundant life and deepening our connection with God and one another.

So, I challenge you—embrace the beauty of obedience. Love God, love people, and witness the bountiful blessings that overflow as a result. In obedience, we find not restriction but liberation, not fear but joy, and not burden but blessing.