Consequences of Obedience

"If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything--it is a delight. But to those who do not love Him, our obedience does cost a great deal. If we obey God, it will mean that other people's plans are upset...we must let the cost be paid." Oswald Chambers

"And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid upon him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus." Luke 23:26

Simon's plans certainly were upset. He had no intention of bearing a cross, particularly one that was not his own. Yet how often does the Lord ask us to do this? Are we not supposed to care for the orphans and the widows? To give to the poor, thirsty, and needy? To speak for those with no voice?

The consequences of our obedience causes many things--it can cause a good and fruitful life full of wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-3), favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:35), and reconciliation between people and our Lord (Ephesians 4:31,32). But also with these things, following the direction of the Lord is costly. It brings us to death of ourselves in order for Christ to reign. Jesus, speaking to his followers in Matthew 16, warns them of the impending death to themselves..."If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." We are to follow Jesus to Calvary, to Golgotha each day. Only He has the power to raise the dead to life again, and only through the living sacrifice of an obedient and contrite sinner will we see the glory of the Risen Christ.

Following Jesus means the embrace of paradoxes. It means unity and division. It means the co-existence of love and hate. It brings on a myriad of mysteries that believers must wrestle with. Often these mysteries bring confusion, and sadly, misunderstanding to the unbeliever. How can these things be opposite and how can we be called to both at the same time? The world does not understand the Christian because it does not understand Christ. After the commandment of love is received, Christ prepares his followers for the coming of division that He himself will cause. He brings both peace and a sword, unifying believers and separating the sin and wickedness from their lives. He warns that mother will turn against daughter, friend against friend, all on account of the Lordship in their lives.

The question is begged--are we willing to sacrifice these things to which we hold so dear in order to see Christ risen and reign in our hearts? Will we love him so much that the earthly affections we have for our mothers and fathers look like hatred in comparison? Are we going to allow the Counselor to bear witness to and through us in an unbelieving world?

Lord let your Spirit soften my heart to make obedience a joy!