Last week, I taught my Essential Transformation class about what a man named Harry Burger used to do every time my dad would preach the topic of 'obedience.'  He would--even sitting in the middle of the congregation in the middle of a sermon--reach his hands up high over his head ... and make a big 'O' (which stands for OBEDIENCE, of course).  We'll have to see, but many promised me that they would begin to do the same while I preach ...

Obedience is one of those things that is a part of our sanctification--our learning to be more and more like Christ.  I'm talking about the process of discipleship and the more we learn about obedience, the sooner we'll make headway in this process.

Jesus said, for instance (Matthew 7:21, MSG), "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance—isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills." Obedience is one of those things that we may skirt around for awhile, but that kind of lifestyle will be temporary at best--if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. It seems, somedays, that eveyone is looking for that 'secret password' to make sure that everything is O.K. between us and God ... but, in fact, there isn't one.  A life of serious obedience is the only way to know that everything is O.K.

"Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father's will is my brother and sister and mother" is also a saying of Jesus (Matthew 12:50, MSG).  He was letting us know who was 'in' and who was 'out.' If we want to be a part of God's family (and all that goes with it), obedience is what will make that status possible; we have a great inheritance in Christ ... if we are obedient to the will of the Heavenly Father just like Jesus was... (Ah, there's always an 'if' or a 'but,' isn't there?)

The big lesson that I have learned (and I am still learning) about obedience is this: There is incredible freedom in a life that is being obedient to God! If we are 'walking in the light as he is in the light' ... how does it go?  From the Good News version of the Bible, the Apostle John says this (1 John 1:7, TEV): "But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin."  No matter what your life goes through, if you are 'living in the light' (living in obedience to all that you know of God and God's word), then the fellowship that we have both with God and others will not be restricted in any way.  Why?  Our sins will be purified ... and God will recognize us as one of his own--fellowshipping in that way.  No guilt.  No hang-ups. No holding back...

The greatest thing about a life of obedience ... is the freedom that Christ offers in it.  We are free to be us--who God made us to be--with no guilt, or condemnation, or unnecessary questions held over our heads.  We can know that everything's alright with God! That life comes through 'obedience'--being obedient to what we know of God and God's word on this day...

How did Eugene Peterson put it again (The Message)? "What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills."  That's it.  It's the big "O!" It's the key to a life of freedom ... and God wants you to know it!

Until next time, Rom