My Dear Friend,

David taught that obedience to God's Word brings us significant rewards: "In keeping of them there is great reward" (Psalms 19:11).

In Jewish thought, this implied that keeping Torah brought material wealth. In Christian thought, it means obeying Christ's teachings brings Christ's favor in life and eternal blessings at His Judgment Seat. But there's more here.

Obeying God's Word brings more than tangible reward-responses from heaven. It goes deeper, to our mind, to our conscience, to the very core of our personal spirit. The very act of obedience itself is the spiritually minded Christian's best reward. Why? Four reasons present themselves.

First, we know we are pleasing Christ, that our act has brought joy to His heart - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 4) - and that brings the highest joy to our hearts if we truly love Him.

Second, we know that by doing whatever our infinitely wise, righteous, and loving God directs us to do, we have taken the wisest, most righteous, most loving path available to us, one sure to lead to a good end for us and others and not to bring regret or harm. This knowledge gives us strong assurance all is well.

Third, this knowledge gives peace of mind. Our conscience commends our decision to yield obedience to God and it immediately blesses us with the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). Even if our obedience brings adverse reactions from unbelievers and carnal Christians, as is often the case, we know in our deepest, most private thoughts that we did right by God. This knowledge, and the powerful peace it births in our souls, helps us weather any storm, traverse any valley, pass through any nighttime, or endure any injustice.

Fourth, all obedience honors God and glorifies His name - and this is our chief end in life. Thus, by glorifying God, we fulfill the purpose of our creation, and the purpose of our re-creation in Christ. So in obedience we find the ultimate fulfillment.

Great joy, strong assurance, powerful peace, ultimate fulfillment - these are the hidden benefits of obeying God's Word. They confirm obedience itself is a great reward - perhaps the greatest! And whatever your circumstances, you can have it now. Today!

So, go reward yourself! "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5).

Going,

Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries