Why Hearing God’s Voice Demands More Than Agreement—It Demands Action
Introduction: The Heart of Obedience in the Christian Life
How often do we hear the phrase, “I want to hear God’s voice”? It’s a longing that sits at the core of the Christian walk. But hearing isn’t just about listening—it’s about responding. In the Bible, when Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t ask for their opinions or their silent agreement. He called them to follow, to act, to obey. In other words, hearing God’s voice always calls for a response. It’s not enough to simply believe; we’re invited into a life that responds with obedience.
Belief vs. Obedience: Why Commands Are Meant to Be Obeyed
We live in a time where belief is often the finish line. “Just believe,” people say, and while faith is essential, it’s not the end of the story. Imagine a parent asking a child to clean their room. If the child replies, “I believe you want me to clean my room,” but never moves a muscle, has obedience actually happened? Of course not! Likewise, Jesus’ commands aren’t suggestions to ponder—they are invitations to act. Obedience is the bridge that turns belief into a living faith.
The Changing Meaning of Dedication: From Sacred to Secular
Let’s talk about “dedication.” Once, this word was reserved for sacred moments: dedicating a temple, a child, or one’s life to God. Today, we dedicate just about anything—songs, buildings, books, even our morning coffee. Dedication, once holy, has become routine, almost casual. But why does this shift matter? Because when we dilute the meaning of dedication, we risk forgetting what it truly means to set something apart for God.
True Dedication Belongs to God
When we dedicate something, we’re saying it belongs to a higher purpose. If we give our dedication to anything less than God—our careers, hobbies, or even good causes—we’re ultimately left unsatisfied. True dedication means offering ourselves, wholly and unreservedly, to the One who created us. Anything less, and we miss the point. Our hearts were made to belong to God, not to the fleeting things of this world.
Modern Misconceptions: Christ as Savior Without Lordship?
There’s a popular idea going around: that you can accept Christ as Savior without obeying Him as Lord. It sounds appealing—who wouldn’t want forgiveness and blessing without the challenge of surrender? But this belief misses the heart of the gospel. Jesus never offered a half-relationship. He calls us to trust Him for salvation and to follow Him with obedience. Trying to separate the two is like trying to breathe in without breathing out—you just can’t do it.
Scriptural Foundation: Salvation and Obedience Are Inseparable
The Bible is clear: salvation and obedience go hand in hand. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The early church didn’t just believe—they lived out their faith in daily obedience. Obedience isn’t about earning God’s love; it’s our grateful response to the love He’s already shown us. It’s proof that our faith is real and alive.
Conclusion: A Call to Wholehearted Obedience and Dedication
Hearing God’s voice is a gift, but obeying His voice is a choice. True dedication means setting ourselves apart for God, not just in words, but in action. Let’s not settle for a faith that ends with belief. Instead, let’s step into the adventure of obedience—the kind that transforms lives, honors God, and fills us with purpose. May our dedication be sacred, our obedience wholehearted, and our lives a reflection of the One we follow.
Minister A Francine Green
December 2025
afrancinegreen.com 