So how important is obedience? Have you realized that God doesn’t care if we want to be obedient as long as we are? It is certainly easier when we go with a joyful heart but He’ll take it even if we go kicking and screaming……just as long as we go.
God rewards those who are obedient. He wants to be able to refine us and make us closer to the example Christ gave us but he can only do this if we are obedient. If we aren’t then he cannot teach us anything new. He cannot facilitate growth. God values our obedience and knows how powerful it can be. He never discounts it even if our hearts aren’t all for it. But with obedience comes trials to improve and refine us.
Psalm 66:10
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Deuteronomy 13:3
you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Sometimes though we aren’t sure we like the trial. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you are having to endure trial after trial without any hope of them ending? After months or years of enduring them were you able to look back on all you endured and see how it had refined you for something better….for something more important that was needed by God from you?
As you go through those trials its not fun. And if you are like me after a while you realize that they are for you to learn something….for you to be stronger….and you begin to wonder what you need to be so strong for….and if you will be ready for it. Let’s look at some examples of this……
A woman served in ministry with her husband she found herself having to endure trials here and there that seemed to be pushing her toward something but she had no idea what it was. As she chose to follow God’s leading in her new church she found they were not for change. Does that sound like any church you’ve been in? If it had been for her glory she never would have endured the trials she did but because God was calling her to complete it she would do as He asked. He wanted her to start a preschool to serve the children in their community. This small country church didn’t want a preschool or the demands it would make on them and their congregation…..and heaven forbid it require that something in the church might have to be changed. After two years of battling the preschool doors finally opened and 18 students were served that first year. She cried tears of joy often knowing she had told some of those children about Christ for the very first time and that He would ALWAYS love them. That was her main goal…..for them to leave knowing Christ and that He would never forsake them. She felt so humbled by God allowing her to have such a huge impact on these children. But opening the doors was not what the trials were needed for…..she was to endure another more personal battle.
You might think that the second year it got better……well unfortunately it did not. In her second year she was personally attacked by some of the other staff. Her gifts and talents were brought into question…..they wanted her off the staff….but God interceded on her behalf. And although normally she would have gladly defended herself in the church meeting….God told her to be still and quiet and not to say anything. She was obedient. And she remained at the school.
She had become strong enough to allow God to fight her battle instead of doing it on her own. She had learned to trust him completely. She had been refined by the fire.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
God’s plan is to reveal His glory through us. Not for us just to see it. We are to be an instrument in demonstrating that. So we have to work hard at seeing the purpose of the trials. And what better God is pushing us forward to through the trials.
It is through perseverance that character is built. It is through perseverance that we are refined. It is God’s plan to refine those who follow him so that they can become closer to Christ. It is a constant journey as we work toward being like Christ to fully attain it once we reach heaven.
Romans 5:3-5
3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Peter 1:5-7
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
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