Walking in obedience to God is one of the essential ingredients of walking with God and walking with God is the whole duty of man in the journey of life. It is an important assignment in man’s life, which cannot be avoided but must be embarked upon very early as soon as one comes to the point of the truth (Deut. 13:4; Eccl. 12:13, 14; 2 Tim. 2:4). Walking in obedience to God’s instructions is the only proof that one loves God. Thus, it is quite necessary to discuss here this important aspect of the Christian’s life.
What is Walking in Obedience to God?
By the word “obedience” is meant the submission to, or doing the bidding of a higher authority. Obedience to God, therefore, is doing anything commanded by God. In the same way, obedience can be from servants to masters; followers to leaders; subordinates to superiors; students to teachers; children to parents among others.
The life of a true Christian is a journey that begins at the point of salvation and continues even after physical death unto eternity (everlasting). By the phrase “true Christian” we mean one that is not just a church goer but one that has received Jesus Christ into his or her life as Lord and Saviour thereby becoming a child of God with the evidence of a changed life (John 1:12; 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17). Dear reader, can the above be said of you?
The journey of life of a child of God is not one that can be made alone but requires the company of the one that has knowledge and understands the course of the journey very well. God is Omnipotent (All powerful); Omniscient (All knowing) and Omnipresent (Ever present).
As a child of God, the Christian is expected to live and grow in the household of God the Father. One very important attribute of that child must be obedience. Through the father’s instructions and obedience to such instruction, the child is kept on the journey’s track. This obedience is demonstrated by total commitment to God, His word and authority which in turn guarantees the presence of God to lead, guide and walk with the child in the course of the journey (his or her everyday activities). Any journey and, in particular, the journey of life made without Him is bound to end in disaster. From the above, it is submitted here that one of the secrets of the journey of life of a child of God is to always walk in obedience which guarantees diverse benefits throughout the journey.
Importance of waling in obedience to God.
The importance of walking in obedience to God can best be learnt from God’s word as set out in the Holy Bible. From the account of creation in the book of Genesis chapters 1 and 2, it can be seen clearly that the original purpose of God in creating man in His own image was to have somebody who will worship and fellowship with Him. The man was also to be a channel of blessing from God to the world which He had created. Through the obedience of the man to God’s instructions and commands he was not only to be blessed and be a channel of blessing but also be in close relationship with Him.
In this regard, Adam, the first man to be created had God’s instructions concerning what he should do to achieve God’s purpose for himself and the world. His refusal to heed God’s instructions brought to a sudden end the relationship of man with God which was to last forever and the blessing he was to carry became a curse (Gen. 3). Very thankful are we, however to our Lord Jesus Christ for the redemption He provided through His blood.
On the other hand, we can see from Genesis chapter 5:24 that Enoch lived and walked with God so that he was not allowed to see death: “… for God took him.” This was the same with Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Others such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Nehemiah, Daniel all in the Old Testament and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Apostles in the New Testament are good examples of those who walked in obedience to God. It is clearly stated in Jer. 10:23: “… it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Psalm 37:23 also says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.”
How to Walk in Obedience to God.
To walk in obedience to God, as can be seen above presupposes the fact that there are always instructions and commands originating from God to man to be carried out. In actual fact such instructions or commands must be heard. God speaks to His children in diverse ways which include His written Word (Logos); spoken audible voice (Rhema); open visions; dreams; prophecy; inner witness among others. These instructions or commands must be obeyed and carried out without reservations or delay however difficult it may be.
The process of hearing, recognizing and doing what is instructed or commanded by God is not a once for all affair or which can be done half-heartedly (2 Sam. 15:22). It must be encountered and experienced on a regular basis throughout one’s existence on earth. By reason of use, however, one may not be too long before an attitude of obedience is built up into habit. For example, Noah received instructions from God, on the impending destruction of the world through flood and he set himself out to obey and carry out the instructions despite the circumstances of his time in which there had not been any form of rain before then (Gen. 7). Abraham received such instructions which he obeyed and carried out (Gen. 12:1, 2, 17: 22:1 – 10).
In Exodus 18:20, the counsel of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses as confirmed by God is recorded in the following way: “And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk and work they must do.” It thus follows that every child of God must learn how to walk in obedience to God.
The advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, and indeed His life, death, resurrection and ascension is not only for the salvation of mankind but also to show God’s children how to walk. He Himself leading them in the way of walking in obedience to God the Father (Phil. 2:8, 9). After the physical departure of Jesus Christ, the doctrines and teachings of the Apostles upon which the foundation of the early Church was laid to provide us with means of knowing how to walk in obedience to God (Acts 5:20).
Benefits of Walking In Obedience To God.
If obedience to God simply means submission to God’s instructions and doing His bidding, then obedience to these instructions must, of necessity, carry many benefits. God is looking for those that will listen to Him and walk with Him in obedience. David understood this position and stated, “… no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm. 84:11).
Since obedience to God is the proof that one is truly His child, walking in obedience to Him will guarantee care and providence at all times (John 10:27).
Because obedience is the only proof of one’s love for God, naturally, such a one will be loved by God (John 14:21; 1 John 2:5). In other words walking in obedience to God guarantees His friendship (John 15:14).
Through walking in obedience to God, one is able to receive the miracle magnet that keeps the presence of God around the person at all times (Psalm 15:1,2).
As in the case of our Lord Jesus Christ, promotion in every aspect of life will follow a commitment to walk in obedience to God (Phil. 2:8,9; John 14:12).
CONCLUSION
In closing, it is quite relevant to say that despite the great work that our Lord Jesus Christ came to do on earth – to show the way we should walk before God and even paid the supreme price for the redemption and deliverance of the entire world, mankind continues to grope under the yoke of bondage of sin. Sin of disobedience from which they were once liberated. When we look at the words of Christ as set out in the Scriptures and His work among men, we can conclude that the number one factor for poverty, insecurity, greed, avarice, untimely death and other societal degradations is disobedience.
There is urgent need for the Church which is the body of Christ to re-double her efforts at teaching the flock on this very important aspect of their faith. Also the aspect of leading by example of walking in obedience to God’s instructions by christain leaders cannot be over -emphasized because for this purpose they are called into the exalted positions.
Repentance on the part of believers from their glaring disobedience will turn the tide against the dangerous trend of sin and its consequences of disasters that nations of the world are prone to at the present time. When the people resolve to walk in obedience to God’s instruction they will surely “ stand firm, unmovable, and flourish like the palm tree” to the end of their lives.
Shalom.