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As a Christian, the ultimate act of obedience to God is exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus' death was not just a random occurrence; it was a necessary sacrifice to pay for the wages of sin. Throughout his life, Jesus consistently demonstrated obedience to God, even though it came at a great cost. In this article, I will explore the lessons we can learn about obedience to God from Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.
The Ultimate Sacrifice of Jesus
The ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is through his death that we can receive forgiveness for our sins and be reconciled to God. The Bible tells us that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), which means that sin requires payment. We are all sinners and deserve to pay the price for our sins, but Jesus willingly took on that punishment for us.
Jesus' death on the cross was not just a physical death; it was a spiritual one as well. He took on the sins of the world and experienced the separation from God that sin brings. This separation from God is what we deserve for our sins, but Jesus took it on himself so that we wouldn't have to.
The Wages of Sin and the Need for a Sacrifice
The concept of the "wages of sin" is a difficult one to understand. It means that sin comes with a price, and that price is death. This is why sacrifices were so important in the Old Testament. The blood of the sacrifice represented the payment for sin. However, these sacrifices were temporary and had to be repeated year after year.
Jesus' sacrifice was different. He was the perfect sacrifice, without blemish or defect. He was able to pay for all of our sins once and for all. This is why his sacrifice is often referred to as the "once for all" sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).
Lessons on Obedience to God from Jesus' Sacrifice
Though a Son, He Learned Obedience
One of the most striking things about Jesus' sacrifice is that he was the Son of God. He didn't have to obey God; he was God. And yet, he chose to submit himself to the will of the Father. Hebrews 5:8 tells us that "although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered." This means that Jesus didn't just automatically know how to obey God; he had to learn it through his experiences.
We can learn from Jesus' example that obedience to God is not always easy. It often requires sacrifice and suffering. But, as we will see later, the rewards of obedience far outweigh the costs.
The Cost of Obedience to God
Jesus' obedience to God came at a great cost. He was mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified. He endured physical and emotional pain that most of us cannot even imagine. But he did it because he knew it was God's will. In the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). He was willing to do whatever it took to obey God.
We can learn from Jesus' example that obedience to God may come at a cost. It may require us to give up things we want or even endure suffering. But we can trust that God's plan is always best, even if it doesn't make sense to us at the time.
The Reward of Obedience to God
While obedience to God may come at a cost, it also comes with great rewards. Jesus' obedience led to the salvation of all who would believe in him. Because of his sacrifice, we have the opportunity to be reconciled to God and experience eternal life.
In addition to these spiritual rewards, there are also practical rewards for obedience. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." When we obey God, we can trust that he will guide us and direct our paths. He will provide for our needs and bless us in ways we can't even imagine.
Jesus Paid It All: The Ultimate Act of Obedience
The ultimate act of obedience to God was demonstrated by Jesus on the cross. He willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins. He didn't have to do it, but he chose to because he loved us.
Jesus' sacrifice shows us that obedience to God is not just about following rules or doing what we're supposed to do. It's about love. When we love God, we will naturally want to obey him. And when we obey him, we will experience the blessings that come with it.
Living a Life of Obedience to God
So how do we live a life of obedience to God? It starts with surrendering our lives to Him. We must acknowledge that He is God and we are not. We must confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. And then we must commit to following him, no matter what the cost.
Living a life of obedience to God also means studying his word and spending time in prayer. We need to know what He expects of us and seek His guidance in all things. And we need to surround ourselves with other believers who can encourage and support us in our journey.
Conclusion
Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross teaches us many lessons about obedience to God. He showed us that obedience may come at a cost, but the rewards far outweigh it. He also demonstrated that obedience is not just about following rules, but about love.
As we strive to live lives of obedience to God, we can trust that he will guide us and direct our paths. We can trust that His plan is always the best, even if we don't understand it at the time. And we can trust that He will always be with us, no matter what we face.
Let us commit to following Jesus' example of obedience and surrender our lives to him today.
CTA:
Do you have any assignment from God that you have wriggled yourself out of? Well, you need to obey God like Jesus did - by getting back to work His will and not yours. Maybe its ministry in a particular area or to a certain people or congregation to you abandoned. Now is the time to be obedient to God and if you think that is lacking - then ask Him to teach you how to obey Him.