“Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 Many people think they are demonstrating obedience to God by helping others occasionally, avoiding temptation, and attending church every Sunday. Some people believe by going to Bible studies and seminars, God is pleased with them. But there is much more to obedience.

True obedience to God means doing what God says, when He says, how He says, as long as He says, until what He says is accomplished. Unfortunately, this concept is often rejected in today’s culture. Our society is corrupt, and as a result, we have rationalized obedience to the point of missing the best of God’s blessings.

If at present, you are experiencing great spiritual frustration, there may be an area of disobedience in your life that you have not dealt with. Perhaps God has asked something of you, and in response, you have either ignored His words or done only part of what He asked. If the Lord is bringing something to your mind right now, consider this: it could be that you have been living in the same situation for years because at some point, you chose to do things your way instead of God’s way. Understanding this key distinction between our way and God’s way can make a tremendous difference in every believer’s life. We must place obedience at the top of our priority list.

The principle to understand is this: Obedience is the way to increased intimacy and enjoyment of God. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 Keeping a commandment is different from having a commandment. After all, anyone can own a copy of the Bible and therefore read God’s Word. But it is a different decision to take hold of God’s Words, vowing to obey them. The test of real intimacy or real love to Jesus is whether we keep His commandments or His Word.

Are you living in obedience and keeping God’s commandments? If not, what changes can you make? Jesus makes this promise to those who obey Him. “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them.” John 14:23 Jesus promises a new fellowship with the Father for those who obey. This is not like a piece of candy that is offered as a bribe to entice a child to behave.

Have you ever experienced a time when you feel God wants you to do something but it is inconvenient or difficult and you don’t want to do it? A battle goes on in your soul. Finally you decide to do what God wants because of your love for Him. Afterwards, you feel terrific, closer to the Father than ever before joyful you did what was right. That’s the principle in operation here. Every time we disobey we cut ourselves off from fellowship with the Lord. We erect a barrier. This barrier hinders the warmth of His love, the enjoyment of His person, the closeness of His presence in one’s life. The goal of obedience is not material blessings as some would seem to indicate. The goal of obedience is an increased intimacy with the Father. This is a much better motivation than any truckload of material things.

Where are you in following the commands of Jesus? Some may say, I have never really committed myself in following Jesus the way He wants me. Or I have followed some but whenever convenient. If that is the case, now is the time to declare your willingness to the Lord that you want to be intimate with Him You want to enjoy His presence in your life. You want to be obedient to Him in all aspects in your life. Then you can experience the joy and peace that comes from trusting Jesus and yielding to His will.