Day 13:  Obedience

Romans 5:19 (ESV) So just as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

“Obedience” carries a negative connotation in our culture today because personal freedom is one of our cherished ideals. If we are free to do anything we want, then life will be good! Having to be obedient to someone restricts those freedoms. This contributes to the caricature that Christianity is “no fun” and restrictive.

The Bible paints a completely different picture of obedience, however. Obedience is part of God’s plan, the way He designed the world to work. When we are obedient to what God says in His Word, our lives will actually be more fulfilling than when we try to “free” ourselves with our own plan and purpose.

Romans 5:19 tells us that Jesus’ obedience fulfilled God’s plan to make sinners righteous. Jesus had to be obedient for this plan to be accomplished. Likewise, God has a good purpose for our lives, but it will never be fully accomplished unless we obey Him.

Obedience to God is a decision that requires consistency. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Instead of a mountaintop experience with God, much of our life is spent in the valleys of obedience: the day-in and day-out of life.

Fasting is a beautiful example of obedience to God. Sometimes it may be difficult to follow through or continue on. It may be tiring or draining. But ultimately it brings us to a new level of relationship with God and understanding of His plan. Consider today how obedience through fasting is drawing you closer to the Lord.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your awesome love demonstrated by the obedience of Jesus to the point of death on the cross. We want to respond not only with words, but with a lifestyle of obedience to Your commands. As we fast and pray, establish in us a daily pattern and practice of obedience that we might walk in the fullness of Your love and blessing and freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.