Radical obedience isn’t partial. It goes full out and does even more than the expected. I believe most Christians have a desire to get to the next level. Some are happy where they are at, although knowing there is more. Others have become frustrated feeling like they’re never moving. It doesn’t matter which place you are in there is one key. If you want to get to the next level, you will need radical obedience. We get to the next level as we obey God with what He is asking from us right now.
I know some will argue with this and call radical obedience “good works”. Our good works obviously won’t save us; however, obedience is what will take us higher in the things of God. If you want to move forward, what is God asking you to do? When you do it, your faith will rise, and you will see God’s hand in a greater capacity upon your life.
Radical Obedience to God’s Word Brings Blessing
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:22-25 NLT
Here it says that if you “do what it says…then God will bless you for doing it.” (v.25) Your radical obedience opens doors to blessing. Of course, the opposite is true too. Your disobedience will close doors. God is calling us to higher degrees of radical obedience to Him.
Are you talking about perfection? I’m not perfect. None of us are. They are times we will fail, but that’s not what I’m referring to. There are times that God is asking you to do something specifically. He could be asking you to speak to your neighbor/co-worker about His love for that person. However, you are resisting, giving all the reasons why you ‘can’t do it’.
There could also be things in your life that God is asking you to get rid of. Are you willing? Are there things that God is wanting you to change but you have been resistant?
If you have a desire to go higher in the things of God, you will have to let these things go. Allow radical obedience to be a part of who you are. You will receive God’s blessings as you obey Him!
Radical Obedience Proves Our Love
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 NKJV
Here is a short, simple verse. However, it is one we stumble on many times. Jesus says that if we love Him we will keep His commandments. It’s as easy as that. One thing I have noticed lately is that we have choices everyday. Jesus has provided freedom for us. Now all we must do is walk that freedom out. It sounds a lot easier than it really is.
Jesus loves us and He always will, but He asks for radical obedience. We say we love Him. Now it’s time to prove that we do. Radical obedience is an act of love.
God Desires Radical Obedience
So Samuel said: “Has 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 heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”
1 Samuel 15:22-23 NKJV
King Saul heard these words the moment he disobeyed. God rejected him from being King. It was his disobedience that didn’t allow him to go to the next level (or even stay on the one he was on). God looks at disobedience very differently than we do. He says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
I’m not saying that God will reject you or even throw you away. He can still use you. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” God’s hand will always be upon you. You are His child and He won’t stop loving you. However, it’s not His best.
Greater Revelation
And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”
Genesis 13:14-17
God told Abram to leave his family and go to the place where God showed him. He went but he took his nephew with him. He was being about 95% obedient to God’s call. Of course, this doesn’t count. It wasn’t radical God expects 100% obedience to Him.
He had to get rid of his nephew. It says that when he did, God began to speak to him again. God showed Him a clearer vision than before. Once radical obedience took place he could see more of God’s plan for His life. God revealed it in a greater dimension.
Each step of radical obedience will take you to greater revelation. Each one will bring you greater blessing. God is wanting to take you to higher levels. Instead of complaining and becoming frustrated, honour God and His Word. Do what He is asking you to do. You will not regret it.
It’s time to lay our lives down and ask God what He’s asking of us. Once we lay it down, we will see what He will do.
To read more about what comes with obedience, click here.
STEVEN STOFFELSEN
AUTHOR OF “TRUSTING GOD’S TIMING”
FOUNDER OF HOUSE OF REFUGE STREET MINISTRIES
