When Obedience Sounds Like A Cuss Word

“Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ” 
~ A. W. Tozier

We hear a lot about faith now days. People often say, “I have faith for _____ “, or “Just keep the faith”.

But what is faith? 

Tozier says, faith is a living, flaming thing leading to deeper acts of surrender and obedience.

For five days I lay in bed. I just had surgery. I had to rest.  It was difficult putting on hold all my so-called, important business.

Still, it was there God reminded me...

Being busy isn't the same as obedience. Running around doing good isn't always the same as fulfilling the God-call He has placed within us. 

He cares about our motives. He wants His glory to be center of all we're doing.

Still, we live in a society that prides itself on independence and individualism.  It is here the very thought of submitting and getting lower under the discipleship and authority of God can remind us of how other carnal humans might have failed or betrayed us. 

It is then, “obedience” can sound like a cuss word.

God showed me on my recovery bed how He wants us to imitate Him, serve motived by His praise, live (not for other people or congregational accolades) but flamed by real faith...faith that submits and obeys because we love Him and seek alone, His praise.

He showed me James' take on true faith.

• Faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up) is destitute of power (inoperative, dead). (James 2:17)
• “Show me your faith, apart from good works, and I by my good works will show you my faith”. (James 2:18) Do we really even have faith if works aren't attached to it?
• In a culture of information and online sermons, God calls us to be doers of the Word, and not just listeners. (James 1:22)
• James warns, don't be simply listeners who soon forget, but be active doers who obey. He claims, we will be blessed in our doing, as we live a life of obedience. (James 1:25)
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James even goes on to say...

• What is the use if you profess faith but have no good works to show for it?  Can (such) faith save a soul? (James 2:14)
• Are you willing to be showen [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive, and ineffective, and worthless?

Matt Chandler once said, “God is awesome. He doesn't need you to be awesome; He needs you to be obedient.”

Still, I think we can question what God-obedience looks like. Isn't it often...

• Obeying His quiet whisper when it tells us do something we don't necessarily “feel” like doing.
• Responding to that nudge of conviction when our flesh battles within us.
• Stepping into a calling we have kept silent for years.
• Or even, faithful Bible study and prayer, when our mind pulls us away from His presence. 

Scripture tells us, it's not enough to believe. Even demons do that. What separates us from the enemy as Missional Women is that we are washed in the blood and living a life of surrendered obedience, while clothed in His righteousness. 

So, let's stop masking our complacency with good intentions. Let's stop justifying our own apathy, by blindly believing, thinking good thoughts or having good intentions, is all we need to glorify God. 

Five days of staring straight up at the ceiling taught me, going through mindless busy motions doesn't always equal God-led obedience. 

The true firey faith Paul talks about will follow in surrendered works, producing living fruit that others can see. 

Dietrich Bonheiffer once challenged boldly, “One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.”

What is the sermon each of us are called to go and live out today?

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on Facebook.  

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