Is there a such thing as disgruntled obedience?

Is there a such thing as bad-tempered duty?

What about petulant submission?

I would stand to reason, and in turn hope you would stand with me in agreement that all of the above are impossibilities, at least in the context in which I speak.

For I am speaking not speaking simply of human and social duty and obedience, but rather of that which God requires of his people.  I am talking about the obedience of the children of God, the saints of Christ, the elect.  Despite the seperation that exists between a human obedience and a heavenly obedience, I would say there are clearly human examples of the obedience our Holy Father requires.

For example, growing up as children in our own households there were many years of duty and obedience required by your parents, grandparents, etc.  Sometimes yes, this duty, this obedience was that of a disgruntled, angry child.  There were many days in which I was forced to make my bed despite the wretched scowl upon my face, many a nights going to bed at my all-too-early bedtime with contempt.

Examples like the above were not of reverent obedience, or respectful obedience, but rather obedience in the face of consequence.  I knew that there would be dishes to be washed if my bed was not made, or I would not be allowed to play with friends if I didn’t go to bed.  In the face of consequence, I would submit.  If there were no consequences - i would not submit.  This is NOT the obedience in which our Holy Father requires of us!  We are to be obedient in reverence, in submission not because of what would be done TO US as consequence, but what has been done FOR US, and because of WHO HE IS!

This means our attitude accompanies our obedience!  They are not seperated but rather all inclusive in the Holy definition of obedience.  We saw examples of this as children as well - learning to forgive at a young age not only with our mouth but with our meaning and our attitude.  Forgiveness of the mouth is worth nothing if not meant and expressed with our attitude.  This is evident to whom we speak to, just as it is evident in our obedience to Christ!

Some possible places in which we (and I myself) have been found guilty of such a lacking obedience:

• Gifts to the Lord with a disgruntled or selfish heart
• Actions of apparent charity and kindness to friends with a prideful spirit
• Daily prayer and/or devotions empty of heart or meaning

These are examples of actions in which obedience is often defined simply in the ACTION and not always in the ATTITUDE.  In the MOTIVE.  What good is my prayer to God when I hide impatience, or other priorities and angers in my heart?  Is that the obedience he wants from me?  What good are my finances given in contempt or out of an angry heart?  I would stand to believe they are worth nothing in the realm of Holy obedience!

Let me close by looking at a few key scriptures applicable to this post, especially regarding the above-mentioned areas of struggle:

In regards to our tithe / gifts to the Lord’s work, 2nd Corinthians 9 says:

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion” - and goes on to say “…for God loves a cheerful giver”

To be obedient in terms of our finances, this scripture teaches us that such obedience encompasses not so much the action itself but almost entirely focuses on the attitude.  Earlier in the book, in chapter 8,

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”

Once again emphasizing the importance of the willingness of the heart and attitude, not the importance of the quantity of the gift or action itself.  A gift without the willingness to give and a cheerful spirit is therefore NOT acceptable.  Regardless of how much you give or how often you give.  It is not the obedience our King speaks of.

Finally - what encompases obedience to Christ.  It is motivated by love!

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ this way, we do so no longer.” - 2 Cor 5:14-16

May we strive to be obedient to our King not simply in action, or in fear of consequence, as we did as young Children with our parents wishes, but instead live our our faith with obedience driven by love; that which encompasses both heart, soul, and mind.