Week #2: The Path of Obedience: How Jesus' Command Leads to Sanctification
Blog Series Intention Recap
Many of us long for a fresh start. Our work, home life, or hobbies can feel stale. In our relationship with God, we may have fallen into what some have called “practical atheism,” as we believe but fail to live out that belief in our everyday life. This four-week series inspires us to move from practical atheism to a flourishing faith that informs every aspect of our public and private lives, as we rediscover our most basic sanctification practices.
This post is a part of the series “Same Old Me.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #2:
Jesus' command to teach people to obey everything He commanded is central to our journey of sanctification, shaping us to be more like Him.
Why it matters:
Obedience to Jesus' teachings is essential for spiritual growth.
Sanctification is the process of becoming holy and more like Jesus.
Teaching others to obey Jesus helps us grow in our own faith. When we teach others, we understand Jesus’ commands better.
Life transformation needs to happen as daily transformation. Obeying Jesus' commands changes us each day, making us more like Him.
Go Deeper
In the Bible, Jesus told His followers to teach others to obey everything He commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). This command is critical. It is not just about learning rules. It is about changing our lives and becoming more like Jesus. This change is called sanctification. Let’s explore how obeying Jesus helps us grow spiritually.
Understanding Obedience
Obeying Jesus means following His teachings and doing what He says. Jesus taught us many things, like loving others, kindness, and forgiveness. When we obey Jesus, we show that we love Him and want to follow His example.
Obedience is important because it shows our commitment to Jesus. It helps us build a strong relationship with Him. When we obey, we learn to trust Jesus more and rely on His guidance. This trust is essential for our spiritual growth.
Jesus told a story about two builders (Matthew 7:24-27). One builder built his house on rock, and the other built on sand. When a storm came, the house on the rock stood firm, but the house on the sand fell. Jesus said that the wise builder is like someone who hears His words and obeys them. Obeying Jesus is like building our lives on a strong foundation.
Sanctification Explained Recap
Sanctification is a big word that means becoming more like Jesus. It is the process of becoming holy and pure. When we become Christians, we start this journey. Sanctification is a lifelong process. It means growing in our faith and becoming better people. Paul wrote about sanctification in his letters. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, he said, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” We learn from this Scripture that God wants us to grow in our faith and become more like Jesus.
Sanctification happens through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible and gives us the strength to obey Jesus. As we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit changes our hearts and minds. Sanctification is important because it shows that we belong to Jesus. It helps us live in a way that honors God. When we become more like Jesus, we can show His love to others and make a positive difference in the world.
Teaching and Learning
Jesus told His followers to teach others to obey His commands. This process is called discipleship. When we teach others about Jesus, we help them grow in their faith and become disciples or followers of Jesus. We also learn more about Jesus ourselves.
Teaching others is important because it spreads the message of Jesus. Teaching helps more people understand His love and grace. We can teach others by sharing Bible stories, talking about Jesus’ teachings, and living out our faith. We can also pray with others and encourage them to obey Jesus. When we teach, we also become better followers of Jesus. Teaching makes us think about what we believe and how we live.
Jesus spent time teaching His disciples. He explained His teachings and showed them how to live. He commissioned them and gave the Holy Spirit to empower them to accomplish the mission. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples continued teaching others. They spread the message of Jesus and helped many people become followers of Him.
Daily Transformation
Obeying Jesus is not just a one-time thing. It is something we do every day. We make choices each day to follow Jesus and do what He says. These choices help us grow and become more like Him. Every time we choose to obey Jesus, we take a step toward sanctification. These small steps add up and lead to big changes in our lives. We become kinder, more loving, and more patient.
Sometimes, obeying Jesus can be hard. We may face challenges and temptations. But we are not alone. God helps us through the Holy Spirit. He gives us strength and wisdom to make the right choices.
Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, struggled with obedience. He was impulsive and quick-tempered. He denied knowing Jesus three times(Luke 22:54-62). But Peter repented and asked for forgiveness. Jesus forgave him and helped him grow. Peter became a strong leader in the early church. His story shows that even when we make mistakes, we can still grow and become more like Jesus.
How does this help me understand the “Same Old Me?”
Jesus’ command to teach others to obey everything He commanded is a vital part of our faith journey. Obedience to Jesus leads to sanctification, helping us grow spiritually and become more like Him. As we teach and learn, and as we obey Jesus every day, we are transformed. This transformation reflects the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We build a strong foundation and become lights in the world, showing Jesus’ love to everyone we meet. Let’s commit to this path of obedience and sanctification, trusting that God will guide us every step of the way.
