Being Jesus in this World

When you hear the word "obedience" what comes immediately to mind? A burdensome sense of obligation, perhaps? Memories of a strict upbringing? That difficult boss at work? I think for most of us that word – obedience – has negative connotations.  Negative though it may at first appear, if we dig below the surface, it turns out that obedience is an incredibly positive influence. Who knows how many lives are saved each day, just because ordinary folk like you and me obey the road rules? So when God calls us to obedience, rather than rejecting it out of hand, let's dig a bit deeper. 1 John 2:3-6 If we obey what God has told us to do, then we are sure that we know him. If we say we know God but do not obey his commands, we are lying. The truth is not in us. But when we obey God's teaching, his love is truly working in us. This is how we know that we are living in him. If we say we live in God, we must live the way Jesus lived. And how did Jesus live? He loved the least in society, He stood up against the religious hypocrites, He encouraged, He admonished, He gave Himself up for us. So many "Christians" warm the pews of church on a Sunday, but as German martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons." And from C.S. Lewis, "Obedience is the key that opens every door." If you want to live your very best life, live like Jesus. Obey God. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.