I’ll begin by sharing a quote by John Calvin.
“We cannot reply on God’s promises without obeying his commandants.”
I tend to agree with him. In our daily walk, we come across people who want the promises of God in their lives, but they do not want to serve Him. Nor do they want to obey what’s written in the Bible.
The Bible teaches that children are to obey their parents, because it’s the right thing to do. And fathers are told not to make their children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord.
Since God is our heavenly Father, out of respect for Him, we ought to obey and do all He teaches in His Word. Not only does He teach us, but provides all the training needed to be successful in life.
Yes, the Bible contains commandments from God stating we are to obey Him. He also tells us why. Obedience brings forth multiple blessings from the Lord. Disobedience brings unwelcomed curses with dire consequences. Deuteronomy 28 paints a picture with words of the blessings and the curses. No; we’re not in Old Testament times, but God knows where we are today; and He is able to bring blessings and curses wherever that happens to be.
God will not force us to obey him. But He will encourage us to do so. Let’s read what He says in Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
“I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
God loves us so much. He wants to protect us from the world that tries to convince us it’s alright to sin and disobey Him. The world is filled with people whom believe a godly life is a boring one. What a lie! Being obedience to God brings peace, joy, love, and many other benefits into our lives.
Satan is the father of lies. His main goal is to kill, steal, and destroy all the Lord has created, including His children. Daily he tempts people to disobey God, and is filled with glee when victories. Thank God, greater is He that is in us, that he that’s in the world.
Obeying God is worth everything it takes to resist what the world offers, which is nothing compared to what God offers. When we obey and do what’s written in the Bible, His blessings will come upon us. God is a man of His Word; He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.