Weekly Devotional: The Importance of Obedience

Obedience is more than following God’s commands out of fear. Learn more about the importance of obeying God in this edition of the Weekly Devotional.

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Read time 3 minutes

Cynthia Holmes-Landry

Published On Jul 24, 2020

One of the many ways to worship and glorify God is through obedience. Living in obedience to God in all things, even the mundane, is a great way to show your love and respect for him. Obedience is also a suiting way to draw near to him and grow in your relationship with him. For many reasons, obedience is an important part of a Christian’s relationship with Christ.

Table of Contents:

Why Obey
Fostering Good Habits
Willing and Able

Why Obey

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’" ― Genesis 1:26

God created man to rule over the Earth. He created us to shepherd the animals and work the ground. God certainly does not need us to take care of his creation as he is almighty and powerful, but he asks us to do it anyway (Genesis 2:15). Why is that? One answer is that God is calling us to obedience and relationship with him through obedience. By obeying his call to take care of this earth we learn more about him and can grow in understanding of his heart and desires for our lives.

Obedience also leads to personal growth. Every command God asks of us isn’t just for his sake, but for ours. The call to obedience is for our benefit. He knows what is best for us and how to grow us to be stronger people and followers of Christ.

Fostering Good Habits

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” ― Galatians 6:7-9

You reap what you sow. When we choose to shepherd what God has given us, we show him that we are grateful for the blessings he has bestowed upon us (1 Peter 4:10). When we take care of what he has given us, we show him that we are capable of being obedient to his commands, big or little. By practicing obedience in the small things, we are laying the foundation for obedience in the big things – when it may be hard to trust him and obey. Fostering good habits in the small things God asks of you will help make obedience in the bigger tasks easier. By fostering good habits of spiritual discipline and sowing seeds of selflessness and sacrifice, day by day, you will resemble Jesus more.

Willing and Able

What are you doing today that is preparing you for the future God has for you and the future you are hoping for? By gratefully taking care of the small things God has placed in you life, like making your bed and watering your plants, you are showing him that you are a good shepherd of what he gives you. By obeying in all things, even the mundane, you are showing God that you are willing and able to obey whatever he asks of you.

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” ― 1 John 5:2-3

Obedience to God is not only a way to worship him, but a way to get closer to him, prepare for whatever he leads you to and grow as a person. As Christians, we know we are not saved by our works but that our faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Obeying God should not be a burden but rather a joy, a way of worshipping him and growing in your faith.

Ultimately, we will feel most satisfied when we are in right relationship to God – which can only come through obedience.

Grand Canyon University is committed to following the Lord in all circumstances. If you would like to learn more about GCU’s Christian identity and mission or would like to read more devotionals please visit our website and check out the GCU Blog. Learn more about the College of Theology and its degree options by checking out our website or requesting more information with the button on this page.