Adair First Baptist Church

The other day during a run I spied a coin on the ground but because I was very close to home I decided to pass by the coin and walk back to retrieve it later. You see I have developed the habit of picking up every coin that I come across because each time I am reminded that God has graciously provided for my every need so I pick the coin up and thank God for His many blessings. I also retrieve the coin because “In God We Trust” is stamped on each and every one and as such I am reminded to revere the name of God never allowing it to be trampled in the dirt like a lost coin.

During my short trip home I instantly felt guilt and remorse. The phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” began ringing in my ears and I felt as though I was dishonoring God with my delay. You see my delay was selfish; I did not want to be inconvenienced so close to the end of my run. I thought, “What if I can’t find the coin?! I only generally know where to look. I should have just picked it up when I had the chance.” I quickly finished the run, grabbed a cup of water and returned to find the coin. On my way back I immediately felt very silly for having such intense feelings of guilt and remorse over such a small thing as picking up a coin. The Word of God doesn’t command me to pick up the coins it is just something I feel compelled to do. I then understood the hurt caused by the phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

You see “Delayed obedience is disobedience” is a commonly heard phrase in and around church services, bible studies, and coffee shop discussions. No, it may not always take this form but the sentiment is routinely preached and rightly so (to some extent). The truth is simple and pure; God desires unquestioning, determined, dedicated obedience and condemns stubborn, hard hearted, disobedience. Biblical stories supporting this truth are myriad; Moses, Noah, the desert wanderings, Daniel and his friends, Ester, Ruth, The Wise Men, Peter, Paul and the list goes on. But still the phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” hurts much more than it helps because there is a stinging kernel of truth devoid of the mercy and grace of God.

It hurts because nearly all humans pause, question, or delay before obeying especially when the stakes are high. To insist that we instantly act with no thought questioning or delay is actually to deny how we are created in the image of God. God has given us the ability to think and reason sometimes resulting in a momentary pause and other times an extended wrestling match with God. Since we all pause (at least momentarily) we are needlessly riddled with guilt and anxiety. Certainly God wants you to obey His directions but He is not standing whip in hand hoping for the opportunity to scourge your rebellious heart.

You see, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” hurts by draining the heart filling it with fear rather than filling the heart with passion encouraging obedience. You must ask yourself, “Why does a preacher use such a phrase?” (I am a preacher so I tend to focus on this aspect of every question.) The obvious motivation is to compel people to obedience rather than disobedience, but in nearly every way this phrase is counterproductive. By condemning the delay we are telling the listener that he is disobedient even if, in time, he concluded, “I must do as the Lord commanded.” Furthermore, those who are still questioning, pausing, delaying are often demoralized by the condemnation of their disobedience and so they give up trying. Don’t we want to encourage people to obey rather than discouraging them causing them to give up? If so, the phrase “Delayed obedience is disobedience” ought to be thrown on the scrapheap of trite, empty rhetoric.

The essence of why this type of phrase hurts is because it focuses on legalistic rigidity rather than the peaceful grace of God. It is an attempt to control rather than empower. Sometimes delayed obedience is orchestrated by God in order to teach a greater truth. Because I delayed in retrieving the coin God taught me what it means to obey, to change my mind and focus, to commit to righting wrongs, to desire living in right relationship with Him. Is it possible that God encouraged me to pass by the coin just so He could have a little talk with me during the walk back? I think so.

I think, “God loves obedience” is a more appropriate phrase to use. It gets right to the heart of the matter by saying you can please God by obeying His word, promptings and calling. It also leaves room for delayed obedience while condemning rigid, stiff-necked, disobedience. When your heart, mind, and soul becomes convicted that you need to lay your questions, doubts and fears aside and obediently follow Him God is ready to reward your obedience. If God loves obedience then He loves it even if you must travel to a far country, squander your family inheritance, only to come to your senses and obediently return to His merciful and grace filled home.