The Price And Prize Of Obedience | Rev’d Dr Taiye Adeola

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TEXT: ROMANS 6:11-16; 1 KINGS 17:1-16

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?

Obedience is one of the themes or subject of discussion in Christendom that every true believer must understand and imbibe as a proof of loyalty and commitment to Christ. Many people have been denied of great blessings because of their lack of obedience while others receive their blessings and experience their miracles because of simple obedience. God has given humankind the innate power of choice: the choice of obedience leads to God’s promised blessing of life. Obedience brings rewards but it is not without a cost. This morning briefly I will be discussing the Price and Prize of obedience.

PRICE here refers to the COST or DEMAND. It implies what it takes to pursue or live in obedience.  Whereas obedience is a demand by God of his people it carries with it demands

PRIZE here refers to REWARD, BENEFITS OR GAINS. When we pay the price of obedience we win the Prize but the challenge is always getting to pay the price. God rewards obedience because as we see in the scriptures rewards or blessings are always attached to every demand of obedience placed on the believer. If we are wise enough to obey we get the blessings.

WHAT IS OBEDIENCE?

Obedience is a positive disposition, response and compliance to set rules or given instructions. It is going all out to do what is required of one even when it is not convenient. In relation to God, it is absolute reverence for, positive response to, receptive disposition towards and observance of God’s commandments as stipulated in the Bible. Christianity is all about obedience to God in all things; following Jesus demands obedience – deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me is an instruction that demands obedience to be carried out. Without obedience, you cannot be a Christian.

Obedience means carefully seeking what God requires of us and aligning our lives with Him and His standards and call to the best of our ability. We seek Him first, not what interests or pleases us. Obedience is the discipline used by the Spirit to inspire us to keep our Lord first and foremost, cleaving to Him, regardless of the circumstances, so we will be able to keep His precepts and be loyal to His call. This Discipline also helps us with our interpersonal relationships by recognizing authority and direction from others, such as the pastor and church, parents, constituted authority and so on, so the results will be winning situations.

Obedience is the self-surrender of our will so we become less in our spirit and more in His Spirit. Even in the Old Testament, God was more concerned with people’s trust and obedience than with their offerings and sacrifices. God delights in our obedience. It is something we do because, as the hymn goes, “there is no other way!”

• Your obedience to God is an expression of your faith in Him and it is putting faith to work
• Obedience is an act motivated by the spirit of obedience which the Holy Spirit puts in you
• Obedience indicates your willingness and submission to God being the higher authority that can give your desired miracle
• Obedience is submitting your will to His Will thereby allowing His spirit to work in you to do what only Him can do
• Your level of obedience show your readiness to receive his blessings

From Romans 6:11-16 we have clear instruction given to believers on how we should see ourselves and live our lives in relation to sin as people who have been redeemed. The prices to pay as we find in this passage are:

1. MUTILATION – DEAD TO SIN –V11
2. ACTIVATION – ALIVE TO GO – V11
3. DETERMINATION –V12
4. SUBMISSION – V13
5. MOTIVATION –V14
6. UNDERSTANDING v15
7. SEPARATION – 2Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you”
8. PERSECUTION – (Examples of Daniel, three Hebrews, Joseph, Peter etc)

PRIZE

Obedience is a choice that draws blessings and to choose otherwise is to rob oneself of that blessing and even incur the wrath of God. Obeying God can be tough be greatly rewarding when we resist the temptation to disobey.

EXAMPLE

In 1 Kings 17: 1-16 we find the story of two people who paid the price and won the prize of obedience. Prophet Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath; these two people got miracles of the divine provision at a time of famine because they practised obedience. Elijah obeyed God and the widow obeyed Prophet Elijah. Both of them had choices to make either to obey and get their miracles or disobey and remain in their predicament. Looking at the story as recorded in 1 Kings 17, the situation that many people find themselves in today can be likened to it; times are hard, things are tight, people are hungry, sources are running dry yet there can be a miracle that will transform the situation when the price of obedience is paid. In this passage we see

• Obedience to God, God’s word and the servant of God even when it does not make sense – How can a poor widow sustain the prophet in the time of famine?
• Obedience to God, God’s word and his servant even when it is not convenient. How can a poor widow give to the prophet when she is not sure of where the next meal will come from

We need to examine our lives and see areas where we have not paid the price of obedience as it is required of us by God; we miss the prize when we don’t pay the price. It is in all aspects of our lives and areas of endeavour that the demand of obedience has been placed on us, be it spiritual, moral, family, financial, social interaction, business etc.

What is it God has said to you directly or through his servant and you have refused to obey because it seems to you a price so high to pay?

What has God been calling you to do for him or asking you to give to him and you have not obeyed because you say it is big?

For how long will you continue to live in disobedience robbing yourself the blessings of obedience?

The blessings of obedience can only be experienced after obedience has been exercised. PAY THE PRICE AND WIN THE PRIZE OF OBEDIENCE.