Articles
Is Obedience Easy?
Some may answer this question affirmatively out of idealism. Ideally, we should love God so much that we joyfully embrace His commandments, that no temptation should turn our heads, and that self-control should always prevail in our hearts. In a perfect world, obedience should be easy.
However, we are imperfect people living in a hostile environment that challenges our belief, commitment and judgment. Those who try to take a moral stand on God’s principles are vehemently assailed. Various media conspire to excite our passions. And in the daily grind of duty and disappointment we lose sight of what is really important and fail to do the right thing. That is reality.
But rather than being despondent, we must take heart that God’s expectations are tempered by grace. On the basis of justice alone He surely has the right to expect better from us. But He is not a God of justice only.
Ponder this: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16).
Jesus sympathizes with us in our weakness, not detests us.
God may be approached boldly, not by minimizing our sin but by trust in His sacrifice that makes it possible.
God helps us in our time of need and offers mercy and grace. How blessed we are by such a God! No, obedience is not easy. We must strive for it, yes, but not despair when we fall short.
