Reasons to Obey

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 John 5:1-5

TO CHEW ON: "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world." 1 John 5:3,4


Which of these people would you obey?

policeman    teacher       

doctor       parent        God

Did you choose them all? Name one reason to obey:

• a policeman:
• a teacher:
• a doctor:
• a parent:
• God:
  

We have different reasons for obeying.

We may obey the policeman because we know if we don’t, he can fine, arrest or put us in jail. We obey out of fear.

We may obey the doctor, even though we don’t like the taste of the medicine he gives us, because we want to feel better. We obey because it will help us.

We may obey parents and teachers because we want to please them. We obey out of love.

We probably obey God in all these ways. Before we know Him well, we may obey Him because we’re afraid of Him. Then we may obey Him because we think doing what He asks will help us. But the best reason to obey God is because we love and trust Him and want to please Him.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to obey You out of love, knowing You always want the best for me. Amen.


MORE: Obedience School
Have you ever trained an animal to obey you or to do tricks?

• How did you use fear and punishment?
• How did you use treats and rewards?
• How did you use love?
  

Which worked best?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.