Obedience to Jesus Christ - A Right Spiritual Attitude

Obedience is one of the greatest expectations of a Christian. When teaching adults, Jesus talked about obedience and the need for childlike faith. The word childlike is used to show us the level of commitment that is expected of us. Childlike is quite different from childish. Having a childish faith reminds us that good Christians do not have pain and disappointments just as a little child does not. A child is always happy no matter the situation, and when the reverse becomes the case, a little encouragement is enough to wipe away the bad mood.

Obedience tells us that no matter how rough and tough the journey may become, the Christian goes on trusting God, and believing His Word. The reason is this: God did not make His Word available just to give us interesting reading. He is preparing us for action, and if at any time we ignore the truth of it, we'll find out on judgment day that taking God's Word lightly carries weighty consequences. Through obedience we learn that no truth of God's Word that is stored in the mind will ever meet our needs until that truth gives birth to faith and faith gives birth to deeds.

The Bible says, "God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets in divers portions and divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). Many count Jesus as a good person, a great teacher and a prophet of God; but they deny He is God's sole spokesman and deny He is God's "only begotten Son". But when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, speaking with Moses and Elijah, God spoke these words to the three apostles who where there: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him". To make sure that no one misunderstands Him, Jesus went on explaining to the people that the Father has given all judgment unto the Son; that all may honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. It is a clear truth that whosoever that does not honour the Son does not honour the Father that sent Him.

Jesus loved the Jews, and died for them. But He told them plainly, "Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). We love the Jews and the Moslems and the Hindus and all others, but we must say with the apostles about Jesus that in none other is there salvation. Salvation is only in Jesus! Also, we must remind all of the words of Jesus, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). If we would honour God, we will honour His Son! That is exactly what Jesus said. And if we honour Him, we will do what He says - obedience. It is good to note that love has a binding force. If you love someone, you would hardly made him annoyed or offend him. Keeping Christ's commandments is a duty we must perform for loving Him, especially for the simple fact that God has given Him all authority both in heaven and on earth. We have no choice, than to listen to Him.

It always seems strange to me when people say that Jesus is Lord, but then deny the need to do what He said. For instance, Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel to every creature, that whosoever believes and is baptized shall be saved. Yet many "Christians" will contend that Jesus meant only half of that statement! Does faith come before salvation? Jesus says, "Yes." Does baptism come before salvation? Jesus says, "Yes." If we would honour and respect the Son of God, we will not argue with what He tells us, we will simply submit to His will. If one does not do what Jesus says, it is precisely because their ATTITUDE is wrong! Regardless of what they say they believe and feel, when people honour Jesus ''as both Lord and Christ", they will do what He tells them to do.

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or: 234 80 8181 829.

Website: http://www.palmgates.com
or http://www.firebrandhq.com