The Role of Obedience
My first son Caleb never experienced the "terrible twos." He was obedient and compliant most all the time. Naturally, my wife and I thought his good behavior was the product of impeccable parenting....that is, until little Andrew came along. Andrew is the complete opposite of Caleb. He's two and a half years right now, and he enjoys being disobedient. He seems to always do the exact opposite of what we say, while smiling. Once we saw him hitting his older brother while apologizing at the same time.
Do I love my disobedient child just as much as my obedient child? Of course I do! But at the same time, I know that something has to change. His disobedience will begin to cause him a lot of hardship if he continues down this road.
It's not uncommon to make subtle compromises in our obedience to God when we know He will never stop loving us no matter what we do. I think of what Paul wrote, "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?" (Galatians 5:7 NASB).
We were running the road of obedience so well, but something happened. We burned out. We got discouraged. Maybe we experienced a deep hurt, accompanied with doubts about God's faithfulness. Something or someone hindered us from obeying the truth. And now the course of life is not headed in the right direction.
When my son disobeys, I don't like it because I know his actions could end up causing pain and suffering to himself and to other people. Yet I continue to love him unconditionally. So it is with God. He disapproves of my disobedience because of the damage it can cause to myself and to others He loves.
I like what Paul writes a few sentences later: "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13)
We don't obey God to receive love from Him. We obey Him to show love to Him.
Created almost 2 years ago
