Imitate JESUS – Obey the Father

In the best case scenario, children obey their parents, even when they’d rather have their own way. We obey out of respect for parental authority but, ultimately, we obey out of love. 

Obedience secures our children's safety and well-being and makes for harmony in the home. On the other hand, chronic disobedience by even one child in the home impacts the entire family negatively. 

Disobedience breeds chaos.

As with our natural families, the children of GOD obey our Heavenly Father out of respect for His Sovereign authority (His omnipotence) and love. In addition, GOD the Father is omniscient and His knowledge is superior to all human understanding. 

To disobey GOD is sin, plain and simple. The Bible equates disobedience to “rebellion” and the sin of idol worship.” (1 Samuel 15:23)

JESUS knew the Father better that anyone and the gravity of disobedience in GOD’s sight so His entire life principle was about obedience to His Father; and by this GOD was glorified in Him.

I came down from heaven to do what GOD wants Me to do, not what I want to do. John 6:38 (New Century Version)

 “Obedience with Him (JESUS) did not mean a single act of obedience now and then, nor even a series of acts, but the spirit of His whole life. …The one supreme, all-controlling power of His life was obedience.” Christian Author and Pastor Andrew Murray (1828 - 1917)

Like JESUS, GOD’s children must obey the Father. Why? Because we are one family.

As new creations in CHRIST, we take on His likeness. Together we are the family of GOD and together we do the will of GOD. We are sharing a life in common with JESUS. Our obedience is confirmation of our divine familial bond with the Father and the SON:

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother.”  Matthew 12:50. If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like. John 14:21

JESUS is the first-born of our Heavenly family; He leads and we follow. He doesn’t just tell us what to do, He actually shows us how to be just like him. (Romans 8:29)

JESUS did not fall down to earth one day and accomplish His assignment the next day. He lived a life that was a progression of growth through obedience – And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with GOD and man. Luke 2:52.  By the time He was ready to begin His journey to the cross the Father was able to say of Him, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.” Matthew 3:17

Each act of obedience to the Father’s will took JESUS to new places of discovery and greater acts. He went from turning water into wine, to feeding thousands with food enough for just one person, to raising the dead – and ultimately His own resurrection. And every act JESUS performed, every word He spoke, put the Father on display before the world. (The Father who lives in me does these things. John 14:10)

At each juncture of His journey on earth up to the cross, the Father was glorified, because JESUS was unrelenting in His obedience to GOD’s will. “I have brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you gave me to do.” John 17:4

We could never go wrong by following JESUS’ example and doing everything the Father tells us. We would only be doing what we agreed to by faith when we accepted JESUS as Savior and LORD. 

We’re doing the good work that GOD ordained for us before the beginning of time to bring glory to His Name.

For this we are promised that:

• Just as the Father acknowledged His “dear SON” He will acknowledge us with His love and His constant presence in our lives. John 14:23
• We will never struggle on our own – the Holy Spirit will help us and remind us when we are in doubt or falter. John 14:26
• We will never have cause to fear or worry and always have peace. John 14:27

Conclusion

A child of GOD will know only restlessness and discontent when outside the will of GOD.

With total obedience we gain spiritual wisdom, have great success with contentment, and enjoy the continuing love, presence and recognition of our Father.

Ultimately, we fulfill our life purpose just as CHRIST JESUS, the family First-Born, did His – 

We glorify our Father in Heaven so our joy in Him will be complete.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Righteous Father, thank You for JESUS our Savior and LORD and Teacher. He Who has shown us what full obedience is up to death on a cross. Help us, Father, to give ourselves completely to Your divine power at work in us through the Holy Spirit who daily guides us to the Truth and to doing Your will for Your Name and Your glory. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile