Even as a child I had an analytical bent. Ever since the fundamental concepts of logic formed in my mind, the presentation of a rule by my parents necessitated a thorough examination:
- When did the rule commence and when would it expire?
- Did it apply to my brother as well as me (since, of course, it was my self-appointed duty to keep him in line!)
- How would it be applied in various circumstances? (list all that come to mind)
- Were there any exemptions?
- What were the correlating punishments if the rule were violated?
It’s not that I intended to find loopholes, exactly. My parents were reasonable people who set reasonable boundaries. I am by nature a people-pleaser, and as such, nearly always complied with their wishes.
As an adult, I realize now how annoying my inquests must have been. My parents’ response was generally to calmly explain the benefit of obedience for me and others who might be impacted by my actions. There were times, though, when the barrage of questions would become too much and my very long-suffering mom, would resort to the “You need to do it because I said so” line, which I found deeply unsatisfying. Has anyone else either heard those words, or (gasp!) said them yourselves to your little darlings?
Humans have always had an uneasy relationship with rules. The first instance where we were presented with the choice to obey or disobey a rule resulted in catastrophic failure. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in order to obtain what they desired. Since then, sin became our default state, and all of us must fight our fallen nature in order to choose obedience to God. Even the apostle Paul, surely the staunchest of believers, exclaimed in Romans 7:22-24:
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am!
Rules and laws are a reflection of their creators. Even if one knew nothing about a nation, a careful study of its laws and mores would paint a fairly good picture of what life is like for its citizens, given they were obeying those laws. What God revealed in the creation of his laws is that he is pure, just and loving, and desires for us to reflect these qualities so that we can live our best lives (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually) in peace with those around us.
If we accept this notion, then why is it so difficult to obey God? Why do we try so hard to justify our intentions to obey him only if and when it suits our purposes and current circumstances? I’ve identified a few key points that may help us understand ourselves and our motives a little better.
We tend to focus on the points of law instead of the heart of the law
Just as I did as a child, the Israelites emphasized how to obey the law rather than why to obey the law. Rabbis wrote volumes over centuries detailing accurate terms of execution for each law Moses recorded. They spent a lot less time and effort studying the attitudes and intentions God desired to see in their hearts.
By the time Jesus began his ministry, the teachers of the law had veered away from the heart of the law so radically that they earned severe rebukes from him:
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27-28)
These leaders had not only missed the point of God’s laws; they were overcome with self-righteousness, and equally filled with judgment and contempt towards those they felt were out of compliance. In contrast, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul first expounds on his spotless record in obeying the Jewish law, then calls his accomplishments “rubbish” and a “loss,” exulting instead in knowing Christ Jesus. He understood that only a genuine relationship with God can result in purity of action and motivation.
We don’t really believe God knows best
Do we believe God is omniscient and omnipotent as well as benevolent? I mean, REALLY believe it in the very core of our beings? If we truly do, wouldn’t obedience come easily?
I have been fortunate to have a few mentors in my career. One in particular earned a great deal of my trust over time. As a result, I read all the books he recommended, took the classes he suggested and followed his instructions and advice as they were given. In doing so, I saw a marked increase in my skill level as well as in my productivity. If we follow the guidance of our advisors, coaches, professors, pastors, counselors, parents and other human authorities, why wouldn’t we follow the precepts of the One who knows everything (past, present and future) AND has the power to arrange all circumstances to benefit us? The more we are convinced that God’s wisdom and power are superior to our own, the more we will obey.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
I hate to tell you, but sometimes the best reason to obey God is because “he says so”. He is the ultimate authority and it behooves us to do as he says, whether it “gives us the feels” or not.
Lack of godly perspective
We tend to live our lives myopically, valuing short-term gains over eternal rewards. It is difficult for us to extend our concern to those beyond ourselves and our nearest and dearest. When we take on the mindset of Christ, we come to realize that he “so loved the WORLD,” not just us and those we consider lovable.
Our perspective widens when we look through Christ’s eyes. When we take on his initiatives instead of our own, we can shed our feelings of helplessness and fear of failure, since we know God is on our side when we are doing his work. All of his considerable resources are available to us if we are acting according to his will. Our willingness to obey God, serve and sacrifice for the benefit of others increases when we understand that our role on earth is as servants, even as Christ’s was.
One of my very favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 119, and I have committed many of its verses to memory. It deals exclusively with the beauty of God’s laws and the benefits of obedience. If you read through it, you will see the many rewards of following God’s precepts:
- Life without shame
- A life guided by wisdom and understanding
- A life of purity
- Life filled with delight and joy
- A life with freedom
- Life free from striving after selfish gain and worthless things
- Life infused with hope
- Life drenched in God’s comfort, compassion and love
- Life covered by God’s mercy and grace
Don’t you want that? I do! Verse 129 of the same Psalm provides the perfect summation:
Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
May God bless us all as we strive to obey him more and more.
Nina Kylstra. Member of the LifeWay body of Christ for 22 years. Wife of the lovable Eric Kylstra for 30 years. Life-long follower of Christ.