That is one of the chapter titles in the soon to be released book ANY OLE BUSH. Obedience is a Biblical principle worth serious consideration, (rare). What is God's standard, and in what areas? 2 Cor 2.9 says "The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything." Whoa! In everything?? 

    What does that mean? The very best most of us shoot for is 'partial' obedience. But partial obedience is not obedience, and if your intent is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, and please God, and bear fruit for God...'partial' won't cut it. So how much (obedience) is enough?

    God clearly provides us in Scripture what His standard is for every area of life. Lets just look at one that everyone understands.....sex. God says repeatedly: "no sex outside of marriage." What difference would it make in the whole world today if we were obedient to that one? Think about it. No AIDS, affairs and broken marriages, no sexual disease, no abortions, huge reduction in anger, murder, drinking, lust, no prostitution and its related crimes, Hollywood would collapse, the porn industry would evaporate, -you get the idea. Just by obeying one of God's commands. 

    So how much obedience is enough, if our goal is to please and glorify God? Are believers in Jesus Christ making an effort to be obedient in every area of our life...all the time to all that God says? Obviously not. Well, then, how much is enough? Enough for God to be pleased with us, enough for Him to fill us with His Spirit and use us in the lives of others, enough for the world to see that Christ makes an attractive difference. 

Obedience, in everything, is something without which we cannot do!!

bh September 20, 2008