Day Five: Obedience
WHAT IS OBEDIENCE?
It’s easy to think of obedience to God as something we would teach to children. After all, isn’t obeying something we only teach to kids when they’re little? But obedience goes beyond simply “doing as you’re told,” with God, it ventures into a key and central question — do we trust what the Word of God says?
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22
When we disobey (go against) God and His Word, essentially, what we’re saying with our actions is that we lack trust that God’s Word is true and that He can/will do what He says He’ll do.
While we may not ever say this with our lips, we often speak it with our actions making obedience a key and crucial part of what it means to not simply know Jesus, but follow Him.
DAY FIVE DEVOTIONAL
Scripture: 1 John 5:1-3 (NLT)
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”
Obeying Jesus
Is there anything in your life where you would recognize you’re not obeying Jesus? It can be a hard truth to acknowledge but the truth is that for each of us, there is something in our lives where we’ve been going against God — or at least, an area where we’re not trusting Him and trying to control ourselves. Instead, we’re called to love God and obey His commandments and trust that He is working out everything else.
Hear From God
Pull out a journal or your notes app, and take a few minutes to reflect on these verses.
Highlight –– Write down part of the Scripture that stood out to you
Explain –– Answer the question, “What is the Bible teaching?” Ask the Holy Spirit for insight, and use the resources below to help.
Apply –– How can you apply this in real life?
Respond –– Use what you’ve learned to pray, write out a next step, or consider who you can share this with.
PRAY
Acknowledge Where We’re Going Against God
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:9-10Seek The Holy Spirit For Guidance
”But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26
