There is so much freedom in obedience. But sinners complicate everything, and by our own hard hearts, we make obedience hard.
You have sometimes seen this in little kids. All they have to do is say thank you. They’ve said those two simple syllables hundreds of times. They know how to say them. It’s so easy to say them. But now for some mysterious, cosmic reason that darling little lady you brought into the world has puffed out her sweet cheeks and she just won’t. And sometimes adults can do the same thing.
Sometimes obedience is hard, sometimes it takes great courage to stand up to a King, to your boss, to confess Christ and know that there will be blow back and repercussions. But most obedience is not like that. Most obedience is simple. Love your wife. Be kind to her. Respect your husband. Submit to him. Teach your children, nourish them with food and clothing and Christian discipleship. Obey your parents, honor them. Tell the truth. Do not steal or cheat. Do not grumble or complain. And if you sin, confess it right away, and go make it right.
Children, sometimes it feels hard to obey, but can you remember a time when you obeyed cheerfully, when you took out the trash, or helped with the dishes, or cleaned your room – and when you did it cheerfully? When you did it gladly, was it really some kind of struggle? Did it take great courage to make your bed? Of course not. And when you obeyed cheerfully, did you have deep philosophical conversations with yourself about it all? What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose on this planet? Nobody really understands me… Of course not. If you thought about anything at all, other than the task at hand, it was probably something along the lines of: I want please to my mom or my dad.
And there is so much freedom in that. There is so much freedom in doing your duty and pleasing your Father. Yes, sometimes there will be great trials, but most of the time, obedience is actually quite simple. Have you been made a child of God by His great grace? Then obey Him cheerfully – it pleases your Father. We are here to obey our Father right now. He calls us here in His kindness to worship, and He takes joy in the obedient praises of His people.
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