Obedience is not a popular word in our culture.  It conjures up images of legalistic, puritanical drudgery. But obedience is actually liberating. Jesus says don’t do certain things because he knows they will hurt us in the long run, even if they feel good in the short run. Likewise Jesus tells us to do other things – love our neighbors, forgive others, and give our time, talent, and treasure to his kingdom – because he knows in the long run those things will bring us lasting joy, even if they are hard to do.  Any parent knows this basic principle.  Our children often do not want to go to bed on time, or eat properly, but we as parents tell them to, for their own good, so they have health and energy to enjoy life. It is the same with Jesus. He tells us to do certain things in order to make our lives complete, not to harm us.

Following Jesus as Lord is just smart.  It makes our lives more whole, more joy-filled. It is also ultimately the way he can be our Savior in the fullest sense of the term. He loves us no matter what we do, and our sins are forgiven through our faith in him, not through our obedience or good deeds, but in
order to be saved for this life, not just the life beyond; in order to know the abundant life here and now that Jesus came to give, we must follow him as Lord with everything that we have. If he is not Lord of all then he is not Lord at all. And if we do not follow him as Lord, then we miss out on the fullness of what he offers us as Savior.

Dr. Scott Dudley is Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue.  This article is from the July/August 2007 issue of The Messenger.