1 Samuel 15:22

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

By definition, to obey simply means “to hear,” “to listen.” It carries with it, however, the ethical significance of hearing with reverence and obedient assent. 

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The Obedience Factor…Witness.

Witness, by definition is attestation of a fact or event. Or one that gives evidence.

For the follower of Christ, we should be seen by others walking in obedience. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

Weather you realize it or not, people watch your life. They see how you deal with situations, how your carry yourself, as well as what you have. Your life is an epistle (a book of the New Testament in the form of a letter from an Apostle). It’s not the words you say, that speaks to the heart of people alone. It’s the life you live.

My mother-in-law always said “a pair of lips will says anything.” This is so true. Many times people cannot trust the words some believers say because many times their words are contrary to the life they live. The “do as I say, not as I do” type of lifestyle does not carry power. Most of the time this causes damage to those it touch.

However, the believer or follower of Christ, should walk in obedience. Or be a witness, that the word of God is true.

⁃ People should see us showing love, walking in forgiveness, power and victory.

⁃ People should see us composed and exhibiting self control. We should not fly off the handle when provoked.

⁃ People should see us following the tenets of our faith.

Obedience to the word of God is not an option. It is a requirement if we are to follow God. 1 Samuel let’s us know that God would rather have your obedience over any offering you would want to give.

You cannot buy (or give) your way out of it. It is obedience or hell.

But more than that, we should want to honor God by adhering to his word.

Obedience puts us in position reap the promises of God.

Obedience allows the believer to confidently stand in the midst of every storm knowing that God must come through. Why? Because he watches over his word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

As we walk in obedience, standing on God’s word by faith, decreeing and declaring. God sees his word. He will do what he said – for he cannot lie.

So, obedience is the key.

Give your testimony to others. Let them know you tried the word of God, and it works. Every time!

Have a blessed day!