OBEDIENCE, DESIRE FOR
Background
Each Christian is responsible to determine the will of God for his or her life and then to do it. It is often easier for us to do anything other than what we know to be the will of God, deviating from essentials and substituting frenetic activity. But "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22). "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).
Billy Graham says: "Only by a life of obedience to the voice of the Spirit, by a daily denying of self, by full dedication to Christ, and by constant fellowship with Him are we enabled to live a godly life and an influential life in this present ungodly world."
The first step toward a life of obedience is to commit ourselves, once and for all, to obeying God. Joshua said: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). This once-for-all commitment then leads to a daily presenting of ourselves to the Lord: "Present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).
As we mature in Christ and in the knowledge of His Word, God expects from us an ever-deepening obedience. Even the sufferings and hardships we face should be seen as opportunities to learn greater obedience; Jesus "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). As we understand new demands, we must respond immediately and irrevocably so that God can reveal yet deeper levels of His will for our lives. He desires that we bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Helping Strategy 1. A person who asks questions about the will of God is a maturing Christian, one who is interested in a deeper walk with God. Commend his or her desire, offering your assurance that God wants to take the person just as far as he or she is willing to obey.
2. Take time to listen to concerns and desires. It may be helpful to refer to some aspect of the "Background" to encourage and guide the person further.
3. Encourage the inquirer to repent of any disobedience or vacillation. Only