“God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
Romans 2:6-8 (NIV)
Obedience can, at times, be hard. Obedience, also at times, can be lonely. However, when we choose to obey God, obedience is always right. Every. Single. Time.
I want to offer some encouragement today if you’re facing a choice to obey God’s word or compromise with what feels good. While we may have the privilege of living on this earth for approximately 70 to 80+ years, those years are but a grain of sand when compared to eternity. This particular choice that you are contemplating, while the decision you make could have a rippling effect that lasts far longer, more than likely the choice itself will be forgotten long before your 80+ years are over.
When we choose to do life God’s way, we receive a reward in Heaven that lasts forever. When our choices aren’t understood by those we love, if they share a relationship with God as well, their eyes will be opened to the bigger picture of obedience when you’re sharing life with them for eternity.
When looked at under those circumstances, does that make choosing obedience any easier? What if I said knowing that the pain you will experience from dying to your will and choosing God’s way is temporary, even if it lasts a day, a week, a month, a year compared to spending eternity hearing God say, “Well done My good and faithful servant?” Knowing that the choice you make today will please the God of the Universe forever, does that help?
While God doesn’t promise easy, He does promise that you will never be alone. While at times difficult, your obedience could begin a legacy that will start a chain reaction of obedience for many future generations… or even better, your obedience could break the cycle of disobedience in your genealogy and begin a new line of obedience in your family tree. And the Bible is very clear that God rewards obedience. Our obedience keeps the flow between God’s blessings and our lives open.
And, our obedience changes us. While we can learn from our mistakes, when we choose to obey the first time, it strengthens our own relationship with God, deepens that connection we have with Him and allows Him to use us in powerful ways for His purpose. There are many advantages to obedience.
One will never go wrong when choosing obedience to God and His Word. It’s important to remember that in all circumstances, obedience is always right.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017