Isaiah Johnson with his fiancé, Chelcie Jolly! Both showed “Bold Obedience” this year in moving to Tucson to plant the Tucson International Christian Church!
Bold Obedience Through Reverent Submission
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10)
Jesus was known by those in his life as a man who consistently went to God and was blessed through his submission to his Father. Jesus didn’t allow his suffering to discourage him nor did he allow it to define him. Rather it refined him so that he was mature and complete as he is The Way and The only WAY to GOD.
Bold Obedience Through Imitation
As disciples and not just believers of Christ, we are called to imitate our Lord Jesus in his obedience and submission to God the Father. This is accomplished by making a decision to trust and rely on God by taking our prayer lives more seriously than ever. Concordantly, we also need to persevere as Jesus persevered through temptation, persecution, and even emotions to simply obey God’s will. This will allow us to become the powerful, faithful, and fruitful children of God that we are meant to be!
For me, this has been challenging especially during the holidays. I tend to want to give in to my feelings, thoughts, and circumstances to attempt to make things “easier” or “more bearable”. Ultimately what I am doing is succumbing to my desires and ignoring the good I ought to do, which is sin for me (James 4:17). What I need to do is stay focused on drawing my strength, comfort, and hope from God because he will provide what I lack and need.
Bold Obedience Requires Practicals
Some great practicals to aid in this effort are as follows:
- When in doubt, humble out! Go after imitating Jesus or a great example of obedience in your life
- Ask someone close to you about how you’re doing in regards to obedience to instruction and most importantly God’s word
- Write a list of the current idols and/or distractions that are present in your life and use God’s Word to put to death these hindrances
- Set goals! Set goals to mark in various areas of obedience. For example, going after a (Hebrews 5:8) prayer life.
Bold Obedience Changes Speech
Similarly, obedience is shown through not only how we act but also in how we speak. Honorable and righteous speech is vital in living out God’s will and not our own. Look here in John:
“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:49-50)
Jesus is showing himself to be an example of obedience and servitude to his Father even in his speech and conduct. Our Christ was sent to be our Savior and accomplished this by following God’s commands and not straying from them. He understood the power and purpose in being obedient.
Therefore, even in this pandemic, we need to be very intentional, loving, encouraging, and faithful in our everyday speech. For we know that words have power but we need to make sure that words that come from a disciple’s mouth are full of God’s love and truth, not our own. This is a very challenging standard for me because I tend to fly off the handle and say whatever comes to mind which in essence is like a disunifying game of Russian roulette that can not only hurt myself but the family of God as well.
Thinking Before Speaking Reflects Obedience
Things to consider before we speak:
- Is what I’m going to say needed? Or relevant?
- Is this the right time to address this?
- Is this unifying or self-serving? Am I seeking to love or to bring justice (for just me)?
- Do my words or self utterings foster life or death spiritually speaking?
Bold Celebration
All in all, it’s a time of celebration, joy, giving, and strengthening relationships. These things are necessary and can be edifying to the fellowship but can be hindered if we choose to succumb to ourselves rather than making a bold stand to obey God. It is my prayer that those reading make a decision, whether in good times or bad, to obey God and allow themselves to reach their spiritual potential through the holidays.
To God be the glory and to us the joy,
Isaiah Johnson
This quiet time is the series “Holiday Quiet Times” written for the month of December 2020 by brothers and sisters from the Phoenix and Tucson churches. You can download the PDF packet here: “2020 Holiday Quiet Times.“
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