By Lisa Wilmore
Greetings, Dear Hearts,
Thank God for Jesus Christ, our Everlasting, Eternal, and Endless Savior, who was obedient and submissive to the will of His Father. As it is written in John 6:38 (ESV), “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Jesus did not act on His own agenda, but walked in complete obedience, leaving us a perfect example to follow.
The above noted title was birthed out of a recent encounter with my senior students who planned a skip day. They excitedly said to me that they would not be in attendance the next day. So, I did not expect to see any of them. However, to my surprise, four students showed up. The ultimate surprise that stood out most was one student who is well-liked and academically successful, and who made the decision to come despite others’ collaboratively planned absenteeism. Well, of course, I inquired about her attendance at school, and she shared that her mother would not allow her to miss school. While others may have received similar instructions, they chose differently. Her obedience was not just something she spoke about, it was something she demonstrated. She showed up, because her mom said so; and in that simple act, her obedience was made evident.
In like manner, Scripture presents obedience as a faithful response to God’s direction. As I read the biblical account of Philip, the evangelist, and the eunuch, who was reading the Word yet did not understand what he was reading, I was reminded how God, through the angel, gave Philip instructions to go, and he was obedient. In Acts 8:26-27 (ESV), the author records, “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is a desert place. And he rose and went.” Philip did not question or delay, he simply obeyed.
Yet again, in Acts 8:29-30 (ESV), “And the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him…” His response was immediate and willing. Because of his obedience, he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch and was able to share the message of Jesus Christ. This shows us the nature of true obedience which does not wait for full understanding. It responds when God speaks. With this in mind, it is not enough to acknowledge God’s will, but we must be willing to do His will. True obedience is demonstrated in what we do once God has spoken to our hearts, especially when it is not convenient or popular.
Ultimately, the nature and evidence of true obedience to God is a willing heart that responds through action. It is not based on convenience, but on trust. Therefore, when we truly trust God, we will not only hear Him, but we will obey Him. Jesus Saves!
