obedience

There is a song my mom would always sing to me when I was younger. Any time I was about to make a wrong choice or do something I wasn’t suppose to my mother would smile and break out in song. This would annoy me greatly but today these words still echo in my ear reminding me of obedience.

O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. Action is the key to immediately joy you will receive. Doing exactly as the Lord commands, doing it happily.

In the book of first Peter in the first chapter we read: “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

I love especially that last part. Peter wants us to realize that we have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. It is a big deal when we are disobedient. We are children of God and therefore in a new family. We have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. Precious. His blood is precious. We have been purchased with this precious blood.

This is why He had to come to the earth. There was no other way. There is no other way. We were born separated from God. We are human and therefore imperfect. If you don’t believe me pay closer attention the next time you are on the high way during rush hour or the next time you watch the evening news or better yet, pay closer attention the next time you look into the mirror. Stare long enough (or not even that long) and you realize that you are far from perfection.

There has only ever been One who is perfect and that is God Himself. He is the One who had to come here to earth Himself in human form. God, the Creator of the universe, the One who spoke everything into existence humbled Himself and came in the form of a baby. It was He who we sing about in the manger. It is He who the angels proclaimed to those shepherds and wise men. It was He who we celebrate this Christmas season.

He had to come. There was no other way. Perfect, precious blood flowed through His veins. 100% man and 100% God. He lived a perfect life and died a criminal’s death.

This babe who we sing about this time of year, the reason He came was to die. Beating in His little heart was the blood that would one day be used to purchase all the souls of men.

He didn’t come to just give us another “good” example; He came to be our Savior.

He is holy; set a part, there is no one like Him. He loves us and He wants us to be His, He wants us to be set apart for Him. He wants us to be obedient children; obedient children who understand that price that has been paid for us, a high price, and one that cost our Father His life.