OBEDIENCE
I was reading Hebrews 5 (NIV) this morning and came across verse 8, and it stopped me dead in my tracks.
“Although he (Christ) was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered…”
Anybody can “obey” and do what’s right when rewards are involved. That’s easy. That’s like loving people that you know will love you back. That requires very little effort. But to “obey” when it means you will suffer………., to “love” people when you know that will treat you like dirt anyways………
Why do we always want the “easy” life? Most people want a free pass through life, where they don’t have any worries, struggles, temptations, or any needs of any kind. Where does God play into a story like that?
The true test of obedience is not when rewards are given, but if a person obeys in the face of suffering. That’s true obedience. That’s true friendship with Christ. That’s true love for Jesus!