Rediscovering Obedience: The Forgotten Key to Loving God

 Hey there, fellow seekers of faith! In a world where "grace" is often thrown around like a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's easy to skim over one of the Bible's most straightforward teachings: obedience. I recently came across a powerful homily that hit me right between the eyes on this topic, and I felt compelled to turn it into a blog post. Titled Obedience: Often Ignored and Seldom Preached or Taught, it reminds us that true love for Jesus isn't just about warm feelings—it's about action. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Let's dive in and let God's Word do the talking.

The Misunderstood Side of Grace

We've all heard it: "We're saved by grace, not by works!" And that's absolutely true—Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that crystal clear. But somewhere along the way, many Christians (myself included at times) have twisted grace into something loose and permissive. It's like treating God's forgiveness as a license to live however we want, without the "demanding" part of following His commands. The homily calls this out as erroneous, and honestly, it's a wake-up call we need.

The Bible doesn't pull punches here. In 1 John 5:3, it says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." Obedience isn't about earning brownie points with God; it's the natural response of a heart overflowing with love. When we truly love Him, following His ways becomes a joy, not a drag.

What the Bible Really Says About Obedience

Let's let Scripture speak for itself, just like the homily suggests. The Old Testament is packed with promises tied to obedience:

• Deuteronomy 28:1 promises that if we "fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands," He'll set us high above the nations. Think blessings like protection, provision, and peace.
• Isaiah 1:19 adds, "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."
• Jeremiah 7:23 invites us: "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you."

And don't think obedience is just an Old Testament thing. The New Testament flips the script on the idea that grace makes rules obsolete. Romans 1:5 talks about receiving grace "to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith." Grace doesn't cancel obedience—it fuels it! Titus 2:11-12 explains that God's grace "teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives."

Even Jesus modeled this perfectly. Philippians 2:8 describes how He "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." If the King of Kings obeyed the Father so completely, shouldn't we aim to follow suit? Heroes like Abraham show us how: he left his home and was even willing to sacrifice Isaac because he trusted God's commands (Genesis 22:18). His obedience was counted as righteousness.

The Warnings We Can't Ignore

But the Bible isn't all carrots—there are sticks too, and for good reason. 1 Samuel 15:22 declares, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." King Saul learned this the hard way when his partial obedience cost him everything. James 1:22 warns, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Hearing God's truth without acting on it? That's self-deception, plain and simple.

In our freedom-obsessed culture, obedience can feel downright rebellious. It goes against the grain of "do what feels right." But Jesus flips that in John 8:31-32: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Real freedom comes from obeying the One who knows best—not from chasing our own whims.

A Personal Challenge: Where Do We Go From Here?

So, where does this leave us? The homily ends with a challenge I want to pass on: Take a hard look at your life. Has a watered-down view of grace led you to cut corners? Maybe in your daily quiet time, your relationships, or how you handle your resources. Renew your commitment to obey out of love, starting small. And remember, when we mess up (because we will), grace isn't there to excuse us—it's there to empower us to get back up and keep going.

Let's close with a quick prayer, adapted from the homily: Heavenly Father, forgive us for ignoring Your call to obedience. By Your amazing grace, help us love You more and keep Your commandments with joy. Let our lives mirror Christ's obedience, all for Your glory. Amen.

What about you? Have you struggled with obedience in your faith journey? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories. Let's encourage each other to live out this vital truth. Until next time, walk in obedience and experience the freedom it brings!

DMMC 8-9-25