Does Obedience Lead to Comfort?

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8 NLT)

My mind is being stretched as I consider the question above. My initial thought was Jesus on the Cross. His obedience led Him to suffer in ways that are incomprehensible to mere men. But you can’t think of the Cross without rejoicing in His Resurrection. The empty tomb is our promise that regardless of the pain and suffering we endure in our obedience to our Savior, one day all our suffering will end – FOREVER!

The reality is, obedience often leads to discomfort, at least initially. Perhaps that’s why so many professing believers continue to play it safe. It doesn’t cost me much to attend church, read the Bible, even pray, as long as I don’t let any of that effect my lifestyle. Once I learn the lingo I can “talk the talk,” but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to “walk the walk.”  

For most of us, especially in America, suffering for Jesus isn’t an issue unless and until we put our life on the line and determine to submit to Christ’s Lordship regardless of the cost. I think of people like Hobby Lobby founders David and Barbara Green or , college swimmer Riley Gaines who was physically assaulted while giving a speech at San Francisco State University. As she argued against the inclusion of men in women’s sports, she was berated, threatened, and blockaded in a room until she paid a ransom.

Jackie Hill Perry wrote: “Being obedient to God rarely means you’ll remain comfortable.” It’s ironic that even as Jesus followers we tend to value comfort over obedience. It’s so much easier to smile and joke with my neighbors than confront them with their need of a Savior, but obedience demands surrendering our will to God’s. And if obedience led Jesus to a cruel Cross, it stands to reason we can’t expect to not have our comfort challenged.

If the Bible is true, and I believe it is, the days of coasting to heaven on the coattails of Jesus’ suffering are long past. A commitment to Jesus that doesn’t cost us our life is no commitment at all. Jesus said in Matthew 10:38-39: “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.”

And yes, I’m aware that He’s not demanding we give our life in death, but He is demanding we give our life in living for Him, relentlessly pouring ourselves out day after day so that He might be glorified and honored in and through everything we do, say, or think.

If Jesus isn’t ruling our heart and mind, who is? If our goal each day isn’t to pour ourselves out in His service, for whom are we pouring it out? If our goal is comfort, we’ll be comfortable all the way to the gates of hell! But if our goal is to be obedient to our Master Jesus, we will agonize in our spirit over the ones in our families, friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and others who are headed to a Christless eternity.

There is a very real sense in which until we’re ready to die for Jesus, we aren’t ready to live for Him. We’re to die daily to ourselves, our desires for comfort and ease, our desire to be known and recognized for what a great person we are, or whatever else stands in our way of being all and only for Christ. Sacrifice will inevitably lead to pain and suffering in one form or another, but it’s a very small price to pay for all the Lord Jesus has done for us.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊