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The Connection Between Obedience and Trust in God – Viral Believer
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The Connection Between Obedience and Trust in God

Introduction

Obedience and trust are two fundamental attributes that all Christians aspire to cultivate in their lives. Obedience involves submitting to God’s will and following His commandments while trust involves having faith and confidence in God, especially during difficult times. In the Bible, we see that obedience and trust were intertwined in the lives of people who followed God, and these essential virtues are still relevant and important for Christians today.

In this blog post, we will explore the deep connection between obedience and trust and how they work together to shape our relationship with God. We will look at why obedience and trust are critical for Christians and how we can cultivate them in our lives. We will also examine the practical ways in which obedience and trust reinforce each other and the role that each plays in our journey of faith.

As we delve into the topic of the connection between obedience and trust, we will see how these two attributes enable us to grow in our faith and obedience to God. Additionally, we will discover how trust in God leads to wholehearted obedience and how obedience strengthens our trust in Him. This post aims to inspire and encourage Christians to cultivate obedience and trust in their lives, to deepen their relationship with God, and to experience the blessings that come from walking in obedience to Him.

obedience in the Bible

The Importance of Obedience

Obedience is a fundamental characteristic of a Christian. It is an expression of our love for God and our desire to follow His will. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who obeyed God, even in difficult circumstances, and experienced His blessings as a result. For example, Abraham obeyed God’s command to leave his homeland and go to a place that God would show him, and as a result, God blessed him with many descendants and made him the father of nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Moses obeyed God’s command to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and as a result, he witnessed God’s amazing power and provision in the wilderness (Exodus 3-14).

Obedience is not always easy, especially when God’s commands seem difficult or go against our own desires or plans. Nevertheless, as Christians, we are called to obey God’s commands, whether they are easy or difficult, and trust that He knows what is best for us. That is why Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). And the apostle John wrote that whoever keeps God’s commandments abides in Him, and He in them (1 John 3:24). Obedience is not just a matter of external actions but an inward attitude of submission to God’s will.

The Importance of Trust

Trust is another essential characteristic of a Christian. It is the foundation of our relationship with God and the basis of our obedience. Without trust, we cannot obey God wholeheartedly, and our obedience will be only superficial or legalistic. Trust means believing in God’s goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty, even when we don’t understand His ways or His timing. It means having confidence that He will fulfill His promises and provide for our needs, even in the midst of trials and challenges.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who trusted in God in the face of difficult circumstances. For example, Daniel trusted in God when he was thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to worship the king of Babylon. He knew that God was in control and that his faithfulness would be rewarded, even if it meant death (Daniel 6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted in God when they were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the king’s image. They knew that God was able to deliver them, but even if He didn’t, they would not bow down to any other god (Daniel 3:16-18).

Trust is not just a matter of intellectual assent but a heartfelt conviction that God is worthy of our confidence and allegiance. That is why the writer of Hebrews says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Trust is the key that unlocks the door to a deeper relationship with God and enables us to experience His blessings and His presence in our lives.

The Connection Between Obedience and Trust

Obedience and trust are closely connected in the Christian life. In fact, obedience is the fruit of trust, the evidence of our faith in action. When we trust God, we will obey Him, not out of obligation or fear but out of love and gratitude. We will believe that His ways are right and that His commands are for our good. We will be willing to take risks, to step out in faith, and to do what He asks, even if it seems impossible or costly.

At the same time, obedience strengthens our trust in God. When we obey God’s commands, we experience His faithfulness and provision, and we see His plan unfolding in our lives. We learn to trust Him more deeply, to rely on His grace and mercy, and to believe that He will never leave us or forsake us. As the psalmist says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).

Therefore, obedience and trust are not separate virtues but two aspects of a single reality, namely, our relationship with God. When we trust in God, we will obey Him, and when we obey Him, we will grow in our trust. Together, they form a virtuous cycle that leads us closer to God and enables us to fulfill His purposes for our lives.

How to Cultivate Obedience and Trust

Finally, let us consider how we can cultivate obedience and trust in our lives as Christians. Here are some practical steps:

1. Study God’s Word

The more we read and study the Bible, the more we will understand God’s character, His ways, and His will for our lives. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we will discover His promises, His commandments, and His instructions for us. We will learn to discern His voice and to distinguish it from the many other voices that vie for our attention. We will also find encouragement and strength to obey Him, even in difficult times.

2. Pray

Prayer is the primary means of communication between God and His children. When we pray, we can express our trust in God, our gratitude for His blessings, and our dependence on His grace. We can also ask for wisdom, guidance, and strength to obey Him, especially when we face difficult decisions or challenges. Prayer is a powerful tool for cultivating obedience and trust in our lives.

3. Fellowship with Other Believers

We are not meant to live the Christian life alone. God has designed us to be part of a community of believers who can encourage, challenge, and support us in our journey of faith. Fellowship with other believers can help us to cultivate obedience and trust in several ways. We can learn from their examples of obedience and trust, we can hold each other accountable, and we can pray for one another.

4. Step Out in Faith

Obedience and trust often require us to step out in faith, to take risks, and to do what God asks, even when it seems impossible or impractical. We need to be willing to leave our comfort zones, to surrender our plans and desires, and to trust that God will provide for us and guide us. As we obey God in small things, He will give us the faith and courage to obey Him in bigger things.

5. Obey Promptly and Completely

Delaying obedience or obeying partially is a form of disobedience. When God speaks to us, we need to obey Him promptly and completely, without hesitation or compromise. We need to remember that God’s commands are not burdensome, and that His ways are always righteous and good. By obeying God promptly and completely, we will strengthen our trust in Him and experience His blessings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obedience and trust are essential for any Christian who wants to grow in their faith and experience the fullness of God’s blessings. Obedience is an expression of our love for God, an indication of our trust in His character and directions, and a demonstration of our submission to His will. Trust, on the other hand, is the foundation of our relationship with God, the lens through which we view His promises and provisions, and the source of our confidence in His goodness and faithfulness.

To cultivate obedience and trust in our lives, we must prioritize studying God’s Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, stepping out in faith, and obeying God promptly and completely. As we grow in these areas, we will discover that obedience and trust are not burdensome duties but delightful privileges, where we learn more of God’s infinite grace and faithful love. We will also find that the more we trust and obey, the more we will experience the peace, joy, and purpose of living in right relationship with God.

Therefore, let us strive to cultivate obedience and trust in our lives, not as challenges to overcome but as opportunities to know God more intimately, to serve Him more faithfully, and to enjoy His abundant blessings. Let us also remember that our obedience and trust are not built on our own strength or abilities but on the grace of God, which is sufficient for all our needs. May we grow in our obedience and trust every day, and may the God of all grace strengthen us in every good deed and word.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.