God Wants Obedience Not Religiosity

​Within the Bible belt region of the United States, it is easy to become religious as opposed to obeying God.  To go to church once a week, only open the Bible when the preacher is reading from scripture, only pray over meals, or only live like a Christian while at church is not the Christian life that God desires for His people, it is religiosity.  Being religious does not constitute a relationship with God.  It only proves that a person can have the form of God but deny His power within their life (2 Timothy 3:5; Luke 6:46).  Some people may even profess to know God but deny Him by being disobedient (Titus 1:16), which is still religiosity.  Christians should live as obedient children of God, not going back to the sinful nature of living, and be holy in everything they do because being holy is the plan God has for His people (1 Peter 1:14-15).  Even Jesus expressed the importance of obedience as He stated, “If you love Me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15,23; John 15:10).  God loves everyone but He cannot fellowship with everyone.  Those that are living in disobedience and sin habitually cannot fellowship with God due to God’s separation from sin (Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:6; Romans 3:23).  Repenting of committed sins is also obedience to the Word of God through salvation which brings forgiveness and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Luke 13:3; 1 John 1:9; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:1; Acts 17:30).  After repenting of sin and making Jesus Christ one’s Savior, obedience is still required by living life according to God’s Word (1 John 2:3; John 15:10; Deuteronomy 30:16; James 1:22).  Obeying God produces the Fruit of the Spirit within the life of that person (Galatians 5:22-23).  Joy is produced in obedience (Psalm 119:1-2).  Provision is supplied through obedience (Isaiah 1:19; Deuteronomy 28:2; John 15:7). One of the ways that Christians can prove they love God is through obedience (1 John 5:3; 1 John 2:5; Psalm 119:7).  Obedience to the Word of God makes and keeps a person pure (Psalm 119:9).  With even these amounts of scripture to display the blessings of obeying God rather than having a religious life that may look good to other people, Christians should see and obey the heart of God.  Jesus confronted this very thing in His day but sadly it is still the attitude some Christians have today (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 6:5; Matthew 6:16; Matthew 23:13-15; Mark 7:6).  Those that love God will want to obey Him in efforts to express their love to Him.  Many people understand this when expressing love for family or friends by obeying their requests for gifts, help, or other needs, yet some Christians do not apply this same concept to their love and obedience to God.  Out of any relationship, a relationship with God should be the most important in every aspect, especially in obedience.  May all Christians see the importance of their relationship with God and obey Him and His Word.  Seek God, walk with Him, know Him, obey Him, and serve Him all the days of your life.  God does not want religiosity He wants obedience.