If we love our earthly fathers, we respect and
obey them. As adults, we are grateful that they disciplined us out of love and
protection. These things are true not only of our relationships with our
natural fathers, but also of our heavenly Father. To enter the Kingdom of God,
we must have a child-like heart of trust, knowing that He loves us far more
than any earthly father could and that His instructions are for our good. We
are blessed when we remain teachable, with child-like faith and yield to our Father’s
correction. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, “Suffer little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of
God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a
little child shall in no wise enter therein” (Luke 18:16-17).
Jesus is our supreme example of
obedience, desiring to please His Father at all times. He never did anything
except what His Father desired Him to do. He was obedient to the point of
death, yielding Himself to the cross. The sacrifice of the perfectly obedient
Son of God made it possible to save many disobedient sons.
Obedience is the evidence that we are
true disciples of Christ. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my
commandments” (John 14:15). For most Christians, learning submission to
Our Father’s will is the hardest lesson to learn, but if we rebel at His
leading, we will suffer for our disobedience. God never wants us to be hurt or
suffer at Satan’s hand, but if we disobey God, we may reap the consequences of
our own sin. The Bible gives numerous warnings that obedience brings blessing
and disobedience leads to destruction: “Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be
willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and
rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath
spoken it” (Isaiah 1:18-20).