Obedience

I had a great opportunity to talk with some of the leaders at NLC today and the conversation revolved around the word Obedience.  Call me naïve but I had never stopped to think of why it is, I try to live a life of Obedience.  For example, I know that gossiping is bad, but I’m pretty sure the reason I don’t gossip is because I am fearful that the person I’m talking about will find out, or the person I’m telling will think I’m a hypocrite.  Alright, maybe that example sucked let’s try another one.  When Jennifer and I were dating there was a common understanding between her and me that she couldn’t spend the night.  Cool right? Wrong!......the only reason Jennifer didn’t spend the night is because I was an associate Pastor and if I got caught with her up in my crib that would just suck.  So I remained obedient to the fear of man but not towards the standards of God.  I guess what I’m trying to say is sometimes as a follower of Christ we only obey out of a feeling of obligation rather than a heart of worship.  Don’t look at porn; your wife will get mad, don’t curse; someone might hear you, be nice to your wife; the Church is watching.  Maybe if all our actions of obedience were driven out of our pure intimacy in Christ we wouldn’t become so double minded.  It’s hard to remain obedient when our hearts are still disobedient.  I believe true obedience is when we obey out of our love and commitment toward Christ rather than our image or fear of man.  (sorry if I’m confusing it’s late)    

Comments

[Samantha]

I totally agree :]
And you're not confusing--you're rather wise ;]

[Mike Ash]

good stuff bro...

[Ed]

AMEN!!!

[Natalie Hilpert]

Looks like Josh Gagnon was "trained up in the way that he should go" Learning respect early in life is important...you say that you left the church and looked for fulfillment elsewhere for a time, but you came back to the church out of reverence to God almighty. Woudn't you think that just maybe the reason you didn't sleep with you wife is because you had respect for her and the hurt that would be caused to her and to the church for your disobedience, would be devistating. That is love for Jennifer and Love for your church...

[Ben Airey]

I think alot of what directs our moves in life is driven by fear or the world rather than fear of the Lord. It's evident-Good knowledge