With the start of a new year and a new decade, I believe God wants to give us an upgrade in our lives. An upgrade by definition is an improvement, a new version, or an improved model. He states in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” He wants us to live an abundant life that is full and overflowing.
In order to experience an upgrade, we must practice obedience. Our disobedience doesn’t make sense to Jesus. In Luke 6:46, Jesus said, “So, why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”
If we were asked, most of us would say that we believe in Jesus and that life is better with Him in it; however, day after day, we make a practice of disregarding His teaching and His manual for success. In other words, we just wing it.
Here are 3 reasons that I believe obedience is a key ingredient to an upgrade in our lives:
1. Obedience activates God’s power.
The scene was the Sea of Galilee. Simon and his crew had been out fishing all through the night and hadn’t caught anything. Jesus came up and told the fishermen to go out to where it was deeper and throw down their nets. Simon could have said, “You have no experience. You’re just a carpenter, and I’m the fisherman. I know better, so don’t tell me what to do.” Simon’s response, however, was very simply, “…if you say so.” (Luke 5:5)
Wow! What courageous and powerful words he uttered. Because of his obedience, they hauled in the catch of a lifetime—to the point that two boats were so full of fish that they nearly sank. God has power just waiting for us, but it is unleashed and activated when we are willing to show our obedience. “If you say so.”
2. God wants to trust you.
God put Abraham to the test by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham could have wasted time arguing about all the reasons this wasn’t a good idea. He could have disobeyed, but instead, he answered, “If you say so…” Abraham got all the way to the point of raising the knife to kill his son. God saw that He could fully trust Abraham to do what He asked of him.
This meant that God could entrust Abraham with more responsibilities. He could trust him to carry out his commands and wishes for the Children of Israel. God sent an angel to say, “Do not hurt him (your son) in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God.” (Genesis 22:12)
Dallas Willard said, “Jesus is actually looking for people he can trust with his power.” We want more—more success, more blessings, more influence—but can God trust us with more?
3. God’s way is the best way.
I know that sounds cliché, but Andy Stanley said, “Jesus makes your life better, and Jesus makes you better at life.” God promises that if we will be obedient, our lives will be blessed. If it’s as simple as that, then why is it so hard to obey?
In James 1:22-25, James tells us to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers. He goes on to say about all those who will do what the Bible says (obey), “…he will be blessed in what he does.”
What is it that God wants you to help Him with? Could He be waiting for you to start saying, “If you say so,” in the small things that He’s already called you to do?
Question: Where do you need to obey Jesus?
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