Probably as often as it is commanded, you or someone you are speaking to asks, "Why?" Good question! Let's answer it biblically. (I first taught this for parents, and the notes below reflect that, but since you are a child of God, i.e., He is your Father, you will easily understand.)
First, here's the passage:
Philippians 2
12 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain."
We Must Understand the State of the Believer► ”lights in the world”
To understand the context, the one obeying must understand the position they are operating from. As a Christ-follower, you must be living on purpose, intentionally, strategically being what you are called to be. This must be what the family is about. Without intentionality, this doesn’t ‘just happen.’
That Gives Context to the Command►”Do all things without complaining and disputing”
This is what you would like all of your children to do, right? It is what God would like you to do, too! We a) almost never get this consistently; b) when we do, we often get it by threat/reward/coercion. How do we break that cycle? Due to human nature, perhaps we do not completely. But we must at least help children understand why they must obey, as He helps us understand why we must.
Purpose of Command (the ‘why’) ►”That you become blameless & harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked & perverse generation”
It shapes them, and us, when they/we obey. It develops character ►creates respect ►opens opportunity ►leads to success of ‘mission’
Someone who obeys without arguing shows maturity, is noticed, gains respect. In essence, they gain a platform. People ask, 'What is different about him/her?' People who give respect, get respect. Furthermore, the self-discipline gained by practicing obedience prepares us for harder challenges.
Means of maintaining the State & Executing the Command►”holding fast the Word of life”
I.e., how do we continually obey and maintain our position as light to the world? Through the Word and the Holy Spirit.
The Word
- is our ‘filter’ for truth
- is instructive
- is Spirit-empowered, thus enhanced and explained by the Spirit
- comforts us
Obeying without complaining is frequently not fun, for us or our children. But as Pastor Doug Sager says, "If you understand 'why,' you can deal with almost any 'how'?" Our God is not a bully who asks us to obey for no reason at all (though He deserves it even if He did). There is purpose behind all He instructs. Let's understand it, and help others do the same.
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