Day 7 | The Joy of Obedience

“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”

The sermon reminds us that while following Christ requires effort, it's not meant to be a joyless burden. Rather, as we pursue righteousness and obedience, we experience more of the abundant life Christ promises. This aligns with the proverb that tells us, "In the way of righteousness there is life."

Sometimes we can become so focused on the effort required in Christian discipleship that we lose sight of the joy and life it brings. We might view God's commands as burdensome restrictions rather than loving guidance towards true flourishing. This misperception can lead to a form of sloth where we resist God's transformative work because we see it as too difficult or not worth the effort.

The reality is that obedience to God, while sometimes challenging, leads to a fuller experience of the life we have in Christ. As we align our lives with God's will, we find greater freedom from sin, deeper joy in our relationship with God, and more meaningful impact in serving others. This is the "immortality" or eternal quality of life that Proverbs speaks of.

It's important to remember that we're not pursuing obedience to earn God's love or favor. As the sermon emphasizes, we already have God's full love and acceptance through Christ. Rather, we obey out of love and gratitude, and in doing so, we experience more of the life and joy that God intends for us.

When we find ourselves resistant to what God is calling us to do, we need to look beyond the immediate effort required and focus on the life and joy that obedience brings. This shift in perspective can help us overcome the slothful tendencies that hold us back from fully engaging in our walk with God.

Ask yourself:

In what areas of my life do I tend to view God's commands as burdensome rather than life-giving?

How have I experienced greater joy or freedom when I've chosen obedience in the past?

What step of obedience might God be calling me to take that I've been resisting?

Prayer:Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that Your ways lead to life. Forgive me for the times I've viewed Your commands as burdens rather than blessings. Help me to see beyond the immediate effort of obedience to the joy and life it brings. Renew my love for You and enthusiasm for following Your ways. May I experience the fullness of life that comes from walking in Your righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen.