Men of ObedienceSampel

The Cost of Disobedience

Obedience is costly, but have you considered the cost of disobedience?

The previous owners of our “fixer-upper” home had smoked in the house so frequently that the walls bled nicotine when we washed them. Years of neglect shrouded the beauty of what this house had been and could be.

Frankly, I don’t enjoy renovations very much. So why did we buy this house?

Several hundred hours of hard work on this home have paid off like we knew they would. Our family is more financially stable, we’ve developed valuable skills, and we have a home where there is space to host, serve, and raise our daughters as we dreamed.

If we’d shied away from the work, we’d have missed out on all this.

Jesus is leading us to a renovation of our lives, infinitely more valuable than a house. He won't just fix us; He’ll transform us. He’s brilliant, capable, creative, and fully invested in the project: you!

All the complexity of life on earth can be summed up in one image. Scripture teaches that our lives are defined by choosing either the road of obedience or disobedience to Christ (see Psalm 1).

The devil has an extraordinary marketing team. He knows man, and he knows you. His sales pitch for disobedience preys upon your lust, greed, arrogance, insecurity, and fear. His path seems cheap and easy. He’ll gleefully lead you to your death and enlist you in his work to destroy others.

Jesus stands on the other road. His wrists are scarred, and He tells you right up front that His road is difficult, narrow, and costs all you have (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 14:25-33). A lifetime of repenting, surrendering, serving, and trusting lies ahead.

If you follow, you’ll find life to the full, joy, and be enlisted in Jesus’ happy and challenging work to redeem and renew all things. In the end, you’ll enjoy life with Him forever.

Obedience is costly, but have you considered the cost of disobedience?

Last week, I heard several stories of obedience: risks taken, persecution endured, neighbors hosted, ordinary men delivering critical food and medicine to victims of war, costly and consistent love for spouses and kids, and money given away.

We routinely undervalue the road of obedience and overlook the cost of disobedience.

Which road will you choose?

Prayer: Lord, help us to perceive the goodness of knowing and following You more clearly. Please show us where we’re most attracted to things that will wound us and hinder us from Your good way. Increase our faith. Amen.

Reflection: Is there anyone you could talk with today about adequately assessing the costs of obedience and disobedience to Jesus?