Joyful Obedience

My obedience is better than my sacrifice. When I am obedient to God, my actions reveal that the cost of His sacrifice means everything to me. Now I can sacrifice anything for the wrong reason, but when I am obedient to His will in what I sacrifice, then I make His sacrifice the defining reason for my obedience. When His sacrifice TOTALLY defines who I am, humility is evident in every area of my life. A humble spirit inspires obedience. On the other hand, disobedience stems from pride. Longing for personal acceptance by others, it says “no” when the sacrifice involves humility. However, true obedience reveals respect for the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice, and goes where disobedience never will— into the very heart of God. This is where the joy of obedient sacrifice is discovered.

“Remember this,” Paul wrote, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (II Corinthians 9:6-8.

God loves a cheerful giver who invests richly in His kingdom through obedience in every area of his life. What do I invest? How about you? Our compliance to God’s will speaks of joy in our own sacrifice. If we invest with joy, we shall receive the grace of His total supply for our work. His joy is discovered in giving as Christ gave to us.