What do you think when you hear the word “obey”?

Maybe it conjures up images of a domineering parent.

Maybe, like me, it brings memories of military service.

It’s not usually a positive word. It implies an exercise of authority over another person.

It grates against our beloved freedoms.

And yet there it is.  Shot throughout the Bible. Over and over and over. Just go to your favorite Bible software, find the search engine, and see what happens when you search for “obey.”

Here’s the thing. God is the very definition of authority. So why do we wrestle with this idea?

I think it’s because we fear that we’re going to lose our freedom. Ironically, we’re only going to FIND our freedom when we get past our struggles here. Allow me to explain.
God designed you for a flourishing life, one that included reflecting his image. So following his instructions leads us TOWARD real life, not away from it.

This is exactly why Jesus gave his followers their final instructions like this:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Teach them to…obey. Not to oppress them, but to release them. Which is why Paul makes this comment:

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Romans 6:12

And just to simplify all the commands, Jesus puts it like this:

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12

Love one another. So simple. So hard. This weekend we’re going to dive into this simple, yet revolutionary command. “The Day That Changed My Relationships.”

It will be unlike any other weekend at Seneca Creek. Hope to see you there. And maybe we can remove some of the stigma from that little word.

Obey.

-Pastor Mark