THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE

Pr. James Victor Lubwama

John 10:27 (AMP)

“The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.”

One of the questions we have in our lives is: Why do some Christians remain in a state similar to that of unbelievers to the extent that even those around them start to query the power of Salvation?

When we ask God for something, he does not necessarily respond immediately because he has a set time in which he works; even when he has confirmed that he has given you what you asked for, you still need to wait a while for it to mature. For instance a cheque only matures after you have banked it, that’s when you can receive money - the earthly things should teach you a lot about heavenly things. Jesus says in John 3:12 (NKJV) that; “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” Likewise two people saying a prayer at the same time does not mean they get a response at the same time, because God’s plan towards us is unique. Therefore as you wait for what God promised, you need to stand on the word and in faith claim that promise.

Whenever you receive a word from God, the enemy will endeavor to attack you. He will use those around and your thoughts as well. Just like God uses people, also the devil uses people. Some people complain that God has not yet blessed them and, God is saying that indeed I have not yet done so since I have not yet given you a word. The word that causes God to act is that which proceeds from his mouth. This Rhema word should agree with the written word as the two cannot be separated. The bible says in 1 John 5:7 (NKJV) “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.” The word prophesied unto you by a servant of God or the Holy Spirit is the word that will not return void. God assures us in Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) that; “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." That word from God is a sign of his commitment because if he said it, he will also do it (Isaiah 46:11)

When God gives you a prophesy or promises you something, do whatever you can to ensure that you fight the negative spirits that seek to hinder your promise; and if God asks you to give or offer, you should give cheerfully because God loves a cheerful giver and a tearful giver. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us to give and whenever you feel the urge to give, know that God is pushing you to sow a seed which will bring fruits in your life. The bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (MSG) “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. 7 I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”

God paid a high price for our redemption and the bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) that; “For God bought you with a high price…..” He purchased us at a price just like the way we sacrifice to acquire valuable items - you cannot take something valuable without offering a price for it.  Matthew 20:20-22 (EXB) says; 

“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee [ James and John] came to Jesus with her sons. She ·bowed [knelt] before him and asked ·him to do something for her [a favor of him]. 21 Jesus asked, “What do you want?” She said, “·Promise [Grant; Declare; Say] that one of my sons will sit at your right ·side [hand] and the other will sit at your left side in your kingdom [C the positions of highest authority beside the king].” 22 But Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. ·Can you [Are you able to] drink the cup [symbolizing suffering, and perhaps God’s judgment experienced by Jesus on the cross; Jer. 25:15–29] that I am about to drink?”

We all need to sacrifice a lot which is a price we pay for what we desire. If God had not bought us at a price, he would not have claimed us even though we are his.

Obedience is a Price!

Whatever you need, God can give you but you have to pay a price in order to take that possession? When do you pay the price and who decides? It is God the creator himself.  The bible says in Psalms 24:1 (NIV) “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” God is in our hearts and he is able to sit there according to Luke 17:21 (AMP); “For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].” Because he dwells in our heart, he speaks with a small still voice and at times he burdens our hearts.

You have not received what you desire because you have not yet paid a price and you do not know the price to pay because you do not have a relationship with the one who sets the price - the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is in you, he will be able to communicate with you. You have no relationship with the Holy Spirit because you have no fellowship with Him; there is no fellowship because you are not yet in agreement with him. The scripture says in John 10:27 (AMP) that; “The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me………”

From the scripture above, let’s look at the meaning of the key words – hear and listen.

1-  Hear – to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something). Your spiritual ears must be fine-tuned – right standing to be able to hear from your creator. It’s only the sheep – God’s children that can hear from him; those in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

2-  Listen – to take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request. When you hear, you have got to act as instructed not as you please – that’s obedience.

Disobedience hinders fellowship with the Holy Spirit; you may think you have not sinned because you have not committed murder, but also unforgiveness, and jealousy are equivalent to all other sins; what looks minor to you is sin in the eyes of God – it keeps you from having fellowship with the Holy Spirit and once that fellowship is lacking, you will never know the price and that is why some believers will die without receiving what was prophesied unto them. The bible says in Hebrews 11:13 (AMP) that; “All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance……..”

Some believers think that doing religious practices is the same as paying the price which is wrong - giving does not necessarily mean you are paying a price, however, when you feel convicted and give or offer painfully, you are paying a price. Looking at the example of the widow in Luke 21:3-4 (ESV), Jesus said; “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  3 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Jesus recognized the widow’s offering because she had given painfully. However the rich man did not give painfully and his giving was not sacrificial. The scripture says in Genesis 3:16 that; in pain will you bring forth children, and it also says in Psalms 126:6 (AMP) that; “He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” You may question why you are not getting what you desire, but it is because you have not yet given painfully.

Respect the Anointing

The anointing you respect is the anointing that will transform and bless you, until you respect the anointing in the church, you will never get anything! Our spiritual fathers are custodians of the things of God here on earth and if they are pleased they can release a blessing, for us as the bible says in Matthew 18:18 (ESV) that; “…..whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Once a man with God is satisfied, he releases a blessing.

According to the book of Isaiah 1:20 (ESV) it is written; “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” You will never eat good things until you have obeyed. God is seeking your obedience.

Abraham paid the price when he hosted and fed the angels of God. Once the angels had eaten and were satisfied and pleased, they prophesied that Sarah would have a son. These three men were a manifestation of the trinity (God the father, Son and Holy Spirit). The price Abraham paid ushered him into his promise of being a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4).God had made a covenant with Abraham that he will make him a father of many nations but he was old and without child, so in order for him to enter into his promises, he paid a price as seen in Genesis 18:1-10 (NLV) below;

“The Lord showed Himself to Abraham by the oak trees of Mamre, as he sat at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them. He put his face to the ground 3 and said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. 4 Let us have a little water brought to wash your feet. Rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will get a piece of bread so you may eat and get strength. After that you may go on your way, since you have come to your servant.” The men said, “Do as you have said.” 6 So Abraham ran into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Hurry and get three pails of fine flour, mix it well, and make bread.” 7 Then Abraham ran to the cattle and took out a young and good calf. He gave it to the servant to make it ready in a hurry. 8 He took milk and cheese and the meat which he had made ready, and set it in front of them. He stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 Then they said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will be sure to return to you at this time next year. And your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.” 

Faith – God’s word activated

You need to learn to activate your faith because God likes people who are doers not hearers of the word. You will never cross over to your Canaan until you walk on water – act in faith, i.e. hear, obey and act the word. The bible says in Romans 10:17 (NKJV) that; “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we said earlier, before God works, he speaks first; and thus before you act, you have got to first hear from the mouth of God. Faith comes into play when you hear and act; but you need to be cautious because faith is not a risk undertaking but it comes by hearing from God – you hear and then act, for faith is God’s word activated.

Do not take a risk unless you have heard the voice of God telling you to get out of the boat and walk on the water. Peter needing confirmation, asked Jesus, in Matthew 14:28 (ESV) “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Once you get onto the water keep your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. But we read a head in Matthew 14:30 (ESV) that; “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” As soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. Do not take your eyes off the anointing and the word. Do not look at the contradictory circumstances, but unto God, because if he said it, he will surely do it.

He who decides the price is seated in your heart and will guide you. For whatever you want, remember that you need to pay the price and it doesn’t imply that it has got to be financial. We were bought at a price - purchased with the blood of God’s only son. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and comply with the instructions given – obey because in doing so you are paying the price. Do what you have never done for God and he will like wise do the same for you. Pay a price you have never paid before and God will pay you back. Paying the price by the obeying God ensures that your prayers will not go unanswered.

Obedience unlocks doors!