In our previous post, we discussed what it means to be an ambassador of Christ. We learnt that as members of Christ’s body, we have to be willing to live a life completely yielded to Christ.
Today we are going to explore how our right standing as Christ’s representatives is attained through the ascription of total obedience to the will of our Father in heaven.
Jesus’ life exemplifies what perfect submission and obedience to God look like. His whole life and ministry were well planned in advance by God and He was charged to carry out every detail of it to fulfil the Father’s will. (Hebrews 10.7)
As followers of Christ carrying on with the work He has called us to do, we must follow His example of obedience to the will of the Father without faltering. When we do this then we will be considered worthy in the eyes of God. (John 12:26)
Jesus remained faithful to the will of God to the very end, even when that plan meant submitting to the shameful, humiliating, and excruciating death of crucifixion. (Philippians 2:8)
His obedience transformed into blessings the curse of death brought upon us by the disobedience of Adam and Eve; thus restoring us back to God.
An act of disobedience on Adam’s part brought sin and death upon man; whereas an act of obedience by Jesus Christ, on the cross of Calvary, gave man the opportunity to escape from this curse. (Romans 5:12-21)
Throughout the Bible we see how God deals decisively with acts of disobedience. The story of King Saul is perhaps a classic example.
Saul was sent on a mission by God to execute His judgement against the Amalekites; God gave him clear-cut instructions on how to go about the mission. Saul however, failed to do everything he was asked to do. (1 Samuel 15:1-23)
His arrogance was so beguiling; he became insensitive of the fact that God had placed a divine curse upon that which he was trying to offer Him. This abhorrent show of disrespect to a Holy God was enough to cost Him the Kingship of Israel.
Fast forward to date, there is the temptation among many Christians to live in the neglect of God’s command; as long as they’re still performing well, certain religious duties. Sounds familiar?
Samuel’s words of reproof to Saul is a damning indictment to the followers of Christ; we’re charged to obey God, to pay keen attention to His message, to lay down all thoughts of opposition and rebellion to His word. (1 Samuel 15: 22-23)
When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus said, “..may your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mathew 6:10)
As a Christian, you must be rooted in the obedience of God if you are to be pleasing before Him; you must submit to His will over your life. Meaning God gives an instruction and you follow it diligently.
Obedience that God desires stems from love and trust in Him. Jesus implores us that if we love Him as we claim we do, then we must explicitly obey Him. (1 John 2.5)
He desires nothing but total obedience; following His commandments with an unrelenting desire and willingness to knuckle under His will. Only such ready and cheerful obedience yields a fragrance acceptable to our Father in heaven.