Obedience Is Not Contingent Upon Personal Benefit

We’ve already covered how our comprehension is not great enough to rival God’s; therefore, it benefits us to listen to and follow His commands even when their purpose eludes us. Similarly, our minds may not fully grasp why following His Word is a benefit to us—but that is still no reason to choose our own faulty insight above the Lord’s.

Some of God’s laws are obviously for our good. Abstaining from murder and theft, for example, protects us from personal consequences while also making for a safer and more peaceful society. But being motivated by incentive alone can be dangerous. In the moments when we cannot see or understand how a law of God’s personally affects us, we may in turn look for ways out of obedience. This is why the fear of the Lord is so crucial; it motivates obedience, whether a reward is obvious or not.

Jesus in particular commands us to pray for those who are spiteful toward us (Matthew 5:44) and to bless those who curse us (Luke 6:28). On the surface, these commands do not reveal much obvious personal gain. But perhaps, through such prayers, we will become changed. What matters most is that we do as Jesus said, not what we get from it. Such obedience will demonstrate to God that we are serious about His all-knowing glory.

Pray

Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for limiting my hunger and obedience to the wisdom that I deem personally beneficial. I repent of this mindset and ask Your forgiveness. I chose from this moment forward to no longer hang on to my life, but to give it up for Jesus’ sake. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.