Missing The Point
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Roman 14:17-19
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1
INSIGHT
It's possible to obey and follow the rules but entirely miss the point. Any parent knows this to be true. A child can clean up their play area by shoving all their clothes, dolls, legos, and art supplies under the bed. Your little one can share their toy while muttering under their breath how unfair it is. A teenager can make it home before curfew and stomp to their room and slam the door behind them.
In every example above, they followed the rules and displayed obedience. But, the point of it all flew over their head. Actions fueled by obligation, compliance, or duty rarely produce genuine change.
As a parent, we want our children not just to obey, but to trust that there is a purpose behind our commands and that we have their best interest at heart. God is no different. Our motives and attitudes matter to Him.
He wants us to trust Him because He understands that trust paves the way to obedience and worship. When we obey His truth because we believe His heart, our willingness becomes a response to worth. God doesn't want compliant robots, but rather trustful children.
We work to understand not just the rules, but the relationship and the One who is asking us to trust Him. We do this by recognizing that God's truth is relational. If we remove truth from trust, we reduce it.
It becomes something less, and we become something less.
God's will isn't about what we accomplish, but rather how we live and who we trust. It involves entering into a way of life that honors Him. Obedience becomes worship when we see His will is worthy of our own.
REFLECTION
What's the difference in mindset and attitude between obeying out of compliance and obligation versus obedience fueled by trust?
Where are you obeying out of compliance and obligation rather than faith? What is causing this reaction? How can you begin to see your obedience as an act of worship in this area?
PRAYER
God, may I trust Your heart in all things, even when it might difficult, or I don't understand where You might be leading me. Let my obedience be a display of my worship and trust in You. Please help me to walk with courage and faith. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
