The Power of Obedience

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9)

I’m fascinated by these verses: Jesus, who is God in human form, needed to learn obedience? And “being made perfect” was the result? Note that this implies that He wasn’t automatically perfect as I used to assume – the obedience was the thing that made Him perfect. As we note from the fact that He was tempted of the devil, He had the opportunity to choose disobedience. But he always made the right decision and as a result He was made perfect.

Now, I know that it is too late for any of us to achieve the same perfection (Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”). But we ALL have the opportunity from this moment forward to choose obedience over disobedience. No matter what bad decisions we may have made in the past, we have many new opportunities for obedience every day, giving us more and more opportunities to grow in perfection!

So, I really want to look at examples of people stepping out in obedience, and at what resulted. Let’s start with something simple, as Jesus begins his ministry:

Then Jesus comes from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I need to be baptized of you, and you come to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17)

So here we have John, thinking that it is not appropriate for him to baptize Jesus, yet he obeys Jesus anyway. And what is the result? John sees the Spirit and hears the audible voice of God! Let’s look at another example:

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason you in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your couch, and go into your house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. (Luke 5:22-26)

Now I know that the man with the palsy was expecting a miracle (why else would his friends have dug through the roof to lower him down to Jesus?), but think of the faith he showed by obeying Jesus. Here he was, bedridden, and Jesus says Arise, take up your couch, and go home. I might have thought: What? Arise? I’m sick and bedridden – DO something to heal me. But notice that it doesn’t say Jesus healed him and then he got up. Jesus told him to get up, and then he acted in faith and got up.

What is obedience to God? Isn’t it really just acting on the faith that we have? We can say we have faith, but do we really have faith if we are not willing to step out and act on it? (Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying we should tempt God by doing whatever strange idea comes into our head. But when we know that it’s from God and lines up with what the Bible teaches, let’s not argue with Him.)

Let’s look at the power of obedience as it transforms a man. We’re going to take a look at the life of Simon Peter.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their net broke. (Luke 5:4-6)

So Simon, the professional fisherman, defies his knowledge of the situation and obeys Jesus anyway. The result – an incredible catch, more than their net could hold. Now think of what would have happened if Simon had been stubborn and refused to obey. Can you recall a time in your life when you heard someone say something like “look, I know fishing (or any other trade, skill, or profession) and this will never work. Forget it.” Think about how easy it can be to ignore an instruction that goes against your natural understanding of what is possible.

Thank God, Simon responded by obeying. And what happened next?

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fish which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:8-11)

Simon Peter, James and John walked away from all that they had to follow Jesus. That is how powerful this miracle was in their lives. And through their obedience God used them to help transform the world! Let’s look later in Simon Peter’s life:

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be you, bid me come unto you on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt? (Matthew 14:24-31)

Peter acted on his faith, and he DID walk on the water! But when he allowed himself to be distracted, doubt entered in and he started to sink.

Now, let’s not be hard on Peter – he didn’t wallow in this, he learned from it. What do we see later in his life? First, let’s look at what Jesus said in John 14, and then look at an example in Peter’s life.

Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:1-8)

So we continue to see the evidence of Peter’s faith, as he walks in obedience to Jesus, doing the works that he saw Jesus do! And we should also expect to do the same works as Jesus, as we step out in faith, obeying what Jesus tells us to do.

So, is there something that God is asking you to do that defies your natural understanding? Be careful that you are not tempting God, but if you truly believe that it is God, act in obedience and see what great thing he does for you!

Is there some area in the past where you failed to obey? Don’t let it hold you back – repent and move forward. Today is a new day, with new opportunities to obey and be made perfect through obedience.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (Philippians 3:13-15)

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