LOVE EXPRESSED THROUGH OBEDIENCE
Nichol DeGroot
Today’s Scripture: “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.” 2 John 1:6, ESV
Theme: Honoring God above all else is accomplished daily, intentionally, humbly, and over time.
OBEDIENCE WILL COST YOU SOMETHING
We often say we love God, but love for God is revealed in our obedience to Him.
And the truth is, obedience isn’t always comfortable… and it’s rarely convenient. Yet, it is one of the clearest ways we can honor God. True obedience requires something from us. It stretches us, challenges us, and transforms us. It moves us beyond comfort and into alignment with God’s will.
OBEDIENCE UPSETS COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
God will often call you beyond what feels easy or familiar. Obedience has a way of disrupting comfort and challenging convenience, because growth doesn’t happen in places where nothing is required of us. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, it involves denying ourselves and stepping into something greater. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23b, ESV). He reminds us that following Him is a daily decision of surrender. If your walk with God never stretches you, it’s worth asking yourself if it’s truly obedience, because obedience will require you to move when it would be easier to stay.
OBEDIENCE REQUIRES SAYING NO TO YOURSELF
Every act of obedience begins with a decision, often a quiet but powerful “no” to your own desires. Saying “yes” to God means setting boundaries, practicing discipline, and choosing His way over your own. Paul calls us to walk in the Spirit, which means we won’t fulfill the desires of the flesh. This kind of life doesn’t happen by accident; it is intentional. Every “yes” to God is built on moments where you choose Him over yourself.
OBEDIENCE SUBDUES THE FLESH
Obedience has a refining effect. It exposes the areas of pride, the habits, and the desires that are not aligned with God, and it invites transformation. It’s not always comfortable, but it is necessary. Romans 12:1 speaks of offering ourselves as a living sacrifice: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (ESV). This is the posture of obedience. Over time, obedience doesn’t just change what you do; it changes who you are. It reshapes your heart to reflect God more fully.
Honoring God above all else is not a one-time decision. It is a daily walk. It requires intentional choices, a humble heart, and a willingness to be shaped over time. Each act of obedience, no matter how small, is part of the process God uses to grow and transform you into who He has called you to be. Honoring God above all else isn’t about what feels good. It’s about what is right. And when we choose obedience daily, intentionally, and humbly, we don’t just follow God… we are transformed by Him.
Make It Personal: Take a moment to reflect: where is God calling you to obey Him right now? It may be something that feels uncomfortable or inconvenient. It might require you to set a boundary, let something go, or take a step you’ve been avoiding. Obedience often begins in those small, intentional decisions where you choose God’s way over your own. Consider what it looks like for you to walk this out daily. What is one area of your life where you can be more intentional in honoring God? Where do you need to humble yourself and surrender control? And what step can you take today...not tomorrow, but today...that reflects your obedience to Him? Remember, your growth is not found in perfection. So don’t overcomplicate it. Start with one step. Say “yes” to God in that place and trust Him with what comes next.
Pray: Father God, thank You for Your instruction. Cleanse my heart, Father, of the things that don’t please You. Continue to allow the Holy Spirit to guide me in the right direction. Forgive me when I fall short and allow me to have grace and forgive others when they fall short as well. Continue to do a good work in me, Father. In Jesus Name, amen.
Read: Galatians 5:16, Deuteronomy 10:12-21
Weekly Memory Verse: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12, ESV