Your Level Of Spirituality = Your OBEDIENCE to God

Obedience is actually a demonstration of TRUST. And therefore, it is the one determining factor of your FAITH. “If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps (obeys) His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:3–6 NLT).

Jesus Himself was obedient to the Father (Jn 8:29). He said that He did not do anything that He didn’t hear from the Father. And in turn, He said to us, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (Jn14:15).

And even MORE importantly, Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep (obey) My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (Jn 14:23).

Obedience to God proves our love. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” (1Jn 5:2–3).

While throughout the Word of God, there is a strong emphasis on obedience, it’s important to remember that we’re not justified (made righteous) by obedience. Salvation is a free gift of God, and we can do nothing to merit it. But our obedience flows from a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received from the Lord. (Rom 12:1).

Most promises of God are conditional and obedience is often the one condition that brings down the blessings of God. “And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed Me.” (Gen 22:18). Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.” (Lk 11:28).

We can’t just listen to God’s Word. We must do what it says. Otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves. For if we listen to the Word and don’t obey, James says, it is like glancing at our face in a mirror. “You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (Jam 1:22–25).

Jesus goes further when explaining the benefits of obedience. He says, if you do OBEY, your life is built on a ROCK and it’ll stand, but if you don’t obey, if you only hear the Word, your house (your life) will fall apart.

So the more we read God’s Word, spend time with Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to change us from within, the more we grow in obedience and holiness. Check out what King David said: “Blessed are the people of integrity, who follow the instructions (the Word) of the LORD. Blessed are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. You have charged us to keep (obey) Your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands. As I learn Your righteous regulations, I will thank You by living as I should! I will obey Your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!” (Ps 119:1–8).

Paul says that we don’t learn obedience overnight; it’s a lifelong process that we pursue by making it a daily goal. “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.” (2 Cor 7:1).

So, if you’re a Christian you’re obedient and you’re a fighter. You fight to obey, you fight to bring the Kingdom of Light on earth as it is in Heaven. It says, “The Lord is a man of war.”  He fought for us and we too, must be fighters in the spirit. Everything is a test. Every circumstance, every relationship is a test. Not above what we’re able to bear. We have what we need to win. The WORD is our weapon and it always causes us to triumph. Every test is an opportunity for promotion and for growth.