The Joy of Obedience (Following God's Will)
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” - Philippians 2:12-13
Obedience isn't exactly a fun word to throw around. And truth be told many people struggle with the concept of obedience. Why? The answer is simple. The word is often misused, for example, wives are called to submit not obey (there's a BIG difference) and at our core, we are selfish creatures. Philippians 2:3 reminds of this when it says "Do nothing out of 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 or 𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐭. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Keeping these words in mind, know you're not alone in this. We all struggle to obey God's word at one point or another. The Word says we are not to love anything of this world more than we love him and the Lord knows that this is hard for us to do.
So, here's the thing: obedience isn't about earning brownie points, gold stars, or trying to avoid something difficult. It's about surrendering to God's plan and trusting He knows what's best for us. When we obey God, we're not seeking our happiness we're surrendering to God's plan and trusting that He's got our backs. True obedience is a source of joy and freedom, it's not a burden.
Following God's Will, Not Our Desires
Some people think surrendering to God's will means losing control. But in reality, we are gaining freedom. We desperately try to control everything around us. We believe if we have control we have everything, though all control gives us is stress.
We've tricked ourselves into thinking we have control, we can't even change the color of a single strand of hair on our head, Matthew 5:36. When let go of the sense of control and lean on God, the one with the plan, we're freed from the burden of trying to do everything perfectly. We learn to trust God to do what he does best.
In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul writes, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose." This passage highlights the importance of surrendering our will to God's. When we obey God, we are not seeking our happiness or avoiding difficulty, but rather surrendering to His plan. This surrender brings joy and satisfaction, even amid hardship.
Jesus: The Ultimate Example of Obedience
Jesus' obedience on the cross is the ultimate example of surrendering to God's will. As Hebrews 12:2 says, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus faced difficulty head-on and chose to endure the cross for our sake. His example encourages us to strive for selfless, sacrificial living.
Some people think surrendering to God's will means losing control. But in reality, we are gaining freedom. We desperately try to control everything around us. We think if we have control we have everything, though all control gives us is stress. We've tricked ourselves into thinking we have control, we can't even change the color of a single strand of hair on our head, Matthew 5:36.
Trusting God's Faithfulness
When let go of the sense of control and lean on God, the one with the plan, we're freed from the burden of trying to do everything perfectly. We learn to trust God to do what he does best.
When we face difficulty or uncertainty, it's easy to lose sight of God's faithfulness. However, as Paul writes in Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose." We can trust God to work in us and give us the desire and ability to obey Him. Our hope is in God's love and care, not in our circumstances. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Obedience Isn't Merely a Duty
It's a key to unlocking true joy and freedom! When we surrender our will to God's, we find true joy & satisfaction, especially during hard times.
Let's follow Jesus' example of obedience and trust in God's faithfulness, trusting that He works all things for our good, Romans 8:28. Trusting that His plan is perfect, even when our circumstances aren't.
Reflection Questions
What areas of your life are you struggling to surrender to God's will?
How can you apply the principle of obedience in your daily life?
What are some ways you can trust God's faithfulness in difficult