Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed… (Philippians 2:12 NIV, 1-19-15)

Interestingly, both Paul and Jesus were big on calling for obedience. But neither was known for giving commandments or rules to obey. What they were big on was giving principles to adjust one’s life toward. Love your neighbor, be joyful, pray constantly. Hard commandments to measure but great principles to adjust toward.

So maybe, that is the obedience Paul is talking about. The obedience of adjustment, an obedience that isn’t legalistic, is still challenging, and which is always do-able no matter how mature the follower.

[Father, help me to teach and spur people on to the obedience of life-changing adjustments. And to live that way myself.]