What is your first thought when asked how you’re spiritually doing? Where does your mind race to find it’s first line of reasoning? Maybe you recall your quite times – the fervor, energy, enlightenment, closeness, and renewal you felt. Maybe you take inventory of your life’s circumstances. I would like to suggest that your spiritual well-being, i.e., your sanctification, should be assessed primarily by your Christian obedience. When asked, “How are you doing?” Your first thought should be “Where am I or am I not being obedient?”

Now lest you think I’m going to quickly digress to a form of obedience that amounts to legalism, void of emotion, and/or vapid, let me recommend Eric Costa’s seven aspects of “Christian Obedience” to frame my understanding. (This is a single-page document that I highly recommend keeping folded up in your Bible for future reference.)

• Christian Obedience is Relational
• Christian Obedience is Covenantal
• Christian Obedience is Glad-Hearted
• Christian Obedience is Legal
• Christian Obedience is Supernatural
• Christian Obedience is Necessary
  
• Christian Obedience is Beautiful

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