"Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;" - Hebrews 5:8-9

Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22). In this week's group Bible study passage of Scripture, GOD chose to re-emphasize this point. HE chose to reflect upon the obedience of CHRIST instead of the sacrifice of CHRIST. It's not that GOD deemed the sacrifice of CHRIST as unimportant, but rather, HE wants us to learn from this passage.

JESUS was the SON OF GOD - yet HE learned obedience by the things HE suffered. Often, when we suffer, we can't understand why GOD would allow this thing to happen to us. Yet, if we would only open our eyes and see - GOD is often trying to teach us obedience. Are we not all sons and daughters of the MOST HIGH? Therefore, our sufferings and light afflictions teach us obedience. Being a Christian does not exempt us from suffering! JESUS was the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD and yet though HE were a SON, yet learned HE obedience by the things which HE suffered. Though it cost JESUS HIS life, HE was obedient to GOD. We also see that HE was rewarded for HIS obedience. HE was made perfect and became the AUTHOR of eternal salvation unto all them that obey HIM. Throughout countless ages, the name of CHRIST shall be praised for HIS obedience, for HIS sacrifice, and for the salvation HE brought to us all.

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19). It was by Adam's disobedience that many were made sinners, but it is only by the obedience of JESUS CHRIST that many shall be deemed righteous. We are not to follow the example of Adam, but rather the example of CHRIST. CHRIST was obedient in all things - and not because HE wanted a reward! HE was obedient in all things because HE knew it pleased HIS FATHER in Heaven, and that's what JESUS wanted to do! HE didn't want to disappoint HIS FATHER. That's why HE was obedient....because HE loved HIS FATHER. Love is what is behind JESUS' obedience...and without that love, we couldn't be saved, for there would be no salvation to be had. There would only be judgment and no grace or mercy.

To whom do you yield yourself? Do you yield yourself to GOD or to satan? This is a very important question, because it determines who you serve and who controls your actions. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16) You see, if we were to yield our lives to satan, we would only reproduce that which satan is...everything evil. If you can think of every beguiling, hateful, mean, nasty, abominable thing -- that's what satan is the father of and he cannot reproduce anything other than his own kind. He can try...but it is only a cheap imitation of the MOST HOLY BRAND. Yet, if we would only yield our lives to GOD, we would reproduce every good, perfect, holy, and righteous thing...because GOD is good, perfect, holy and righteous and so many other wonderful things....and is the FATHER of all goodly and lovely things. GOD is the FATHER of LOVE, for HE is the FATHER of JESUS CHRIST - love in flesh and blood.

Finally, what happens to those who are not obedient? The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it (Proverbs 30:17). Surely, there is suffering that comes in learning obedience, but it only lasts for a season. Even more so, there is suffering for those who choose to go their own way, and it shall last forever.