Bobbi and her husband Dan
She writes:
"I wrote this today. it was an essay for a Christian college Scholarship.
The subject was 'Is Obedience the Most Important Word in the Bible?'
I thought I would share this with you .. Maybe it might help another woman struggling with obedience and respect ...
Obedience is such a foreign word in today's culture. What does obedience mean to you? Is it some antiquated word that has lost it's meaning? Was it a word that only applied to God's people in the Old Testament ? Many people believe just that. I used to be one of those people. God has been moving my heart lately to challenge this assumption.
Matthew 5:19“Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.” ( The Message)
After 10 years of power struggles in my marriage, my husband finally simply asked for my submission, and obedience. I was floored, and livid, how dare he ask such a thing? I was very angry, but God started to speak to me. I was convicted. I had not only been been dishonoring my husband , but also The Lord . God's commandments are not subjective, and not optional. We do not get to pick and choose the ones we want to follow. Obedience is not a request, but a command. My obedience, and respect in my married life has a direct correlation to my obedience, and respect for The Lord . How careless had I been to discard the fathers plan for my own agenda? I started reading and studying the word, and God changed my heart. My marriage is now a Godly marriage. This is not a popular idea in today's culture, but i choose to honor my father God through obedience. My husband is now the head of our household as God commands. Believe it or not, this former feminist is happier than she has ever been . I honor and respect my husband, and he cherishes and loves me.
Job 36:11“If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment.” (NIV)
Our relationship is better than I could ever have imagined. God's plans are always better than our plans. When we are obedient to his commands he pours his blessings out on us like a loving and proud father. Obedience is the central theme in the Bible. Without obedience we dishonor our father, and those around us. Being obedient pleases The Lord, and he in turn rewards his precious children for thier respectful attitudes.
Deuteronomy 30:15-16“Look, today I have set before you life and death, depending on whether you obey or disobey. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to follow His paths and to keep His laws, so that you will live and become a great nation, and so that the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to possess.” (TLB)
Obedience truly is the most important word in the Bible.
