Obedience

OBEDIENCE
This is a word that I have a tough time with. For as long as I can remember I have had a problem following authority, my peak of rebellion was probably in high school when I was fascinated with the idea of anarchy. I believe that this anti authoritarian mind set lives in all of us to some extent. Here is an example of my unwillingness to submit to authority, I was at work one day, and I saw a sign that said wet paint Do Not Touch; now had there been no sign I would have no temptation whatsoever to touch that railing but since the sign was there I wanted so bad to touch that wet paint. Just one little touch I thought to myself that won’t hurt anything, it’s probably dry by now anyway just touch it, after much contemplation reason won out and I resisted the temptation. But this was just a wet paint sign; can you imagine when it comes to something bigger like God’s word? I never understood why I couldn’t go out and get drunk or stoned and just like the wet paint sign instead of the rule bringing obedience it made me want to go out there and do it all the more. Unfortunately this is the way we are because of our fallen state and it goes all the way back to Adam and Eve, but there is hope, however it is NOT in ourselves. It comes in the God-man Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for all those disobediences you have ever or will ever commit. After you accept the free gift of salvation provided by God in His son Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit will come into your heart and instead of rebellion to His word now He will replace this rebellion with a want to obey His word. I know that may sound crazy but it is true for example, I never really wanted to give up getting drunk but after I got saved and gave my life to Jesus HE began to take away the desire to drink altogether. He doesn’t always work just like this but He does always work, our part in this equation is simple; surrender. Although as a Christian, there are some things that I don’t understand but that God calls me to be obedient to and while it is good to question and to try to understand it is important to remember that God is God and we are not. He knows what is best for us at all times, though it may not seem like the best thing at the time He is working ALL things together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).