Speaking on the topic: ‘Obedience to God’s word: Preparation for Blessings,’ at The African Church, Saviour’s Cathedral, Agege, Lagos, Abbe explained that obedience is the key to God’s heart. According to him, obedience is an act of submitting to an authority. It has to do with hearing the Word of God and acting on it. When a believer aligns his/her will to that of God’s and acts in total compliance with His instruction, he/she will open himself/herself to God’s blessings.
“God expects us to be obedient to His words. It is by so doing that we can access His blessings. The Bible made it abundantly clear that whoever is willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land, Isaiah 1:19. God is not a respecter of persons. He relates with you, based on your submission to His Will and precepts,” he said.
The cleric said when Christians completely surrender to God’s authority and base their decisions and actions on His Word; God in His goodness will open ways and bless His children beyond imagination. He cited three instances in the Bible, where God blessed those who followed His instructions to the letter:
• In John 6: 1 – 10, Jesus sensing the need to feed those who were following Him, numbering about five thousand, instructed that they should all be made to sit down, even though there was no food insight, and they all did. And with just five barley loaves and two small fish, they were all fed. The blessings of the Lord followed their obedience.
• In 2 Kings 4: 1, a certain woman who was a wife to a Prophet cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” Upon enquiry, Elisha discovered that the only thing she had at home was a jar of oil. She was instructed to go and borrow empty vessels from her neighbours and have them filled up with her jar of oil. She did and was blessed beyond her expectations.
• Also in 2 Kings 5, a leper the Bible described as ‘great and honourable,’ whose name was Namaan was asked to go and wash in River Jordan. He didn’t want to go at first, but he later changed his mind and went. The miracle that followed his obedience was unbelievable!
Primate Abbe said if God blessed those he cited as examples, it is certain that He will bless everyone who followed and obey His words in 2021. He enjoined believers to be obedient to God for them to access His blessings.
At the service were The Rt. Rev Akin Ajayi, Bishop of Agege Diocese and his wife, Chief Oluwole Oluga, Diocesan Secretary, The Ven. C. K. Afolabi, Cathedral Provost and Damola Adepegba, Esq, Cathedral Warden, as well as ministers and laity members of the diocese.
