Date: 01/02/2023

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost Happy New Year. This month’s key phrase is from the 2023 Proclamation: Being Obedient is the Key.

Saints and friends, from Genesis to Revelation the Bible says a lot about being obedient. In the story of the Ten Commandments, we see just how important the concept of being obedient is to God. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 tells us, “ Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;  A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known”. According to Holman’s Illustrate Bible Dictionary a succinct definition of biblically being obedient is “to hear God’s Word and act accordingly”.  Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary states, “True ‘hearing’ or obedience, involves the physical hearing that inspires the hearer, and a belief or trust that in turn motivates the hearer to act accordance with the speaker’s desires.”

Thus, Biblical obedience to God means to hear, trust, submit, and surrender to God and His Word.

In studying scriptures on being obedient, my question is: What is the importance of being obedient?

(1) Jesus Calls Us to Obey. In Jesus Christ, we find the perfect mode of being obedient. As His disciples, we follow Christ’s example, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  (2) Being Obedient is an Act of Worship.  It is critical to remember that believers are not justified (made righteous) by obedience. Salvation is a free gift of God, and we can do nothing to merit it. True obedience flows from a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received from God. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). (3) God Rewards Being Obedient. We read throughout the Bible that God rewards those who are obedient. “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:18). Jesus replied, “… Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28)   (4) Being Obedient to God Proves Our Love.  First and second John clearly explain that being obedient to God demonstrates love for God. Loving God implies following His commands. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:  and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:2-3). “And this is love that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, “That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2 John 1:6).  Saints and friends, the more we read God’s Word, spend time with Jesus, spend time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to change us from within, the more we will grow in obedience and holiness. Remember “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop