Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly Akintayo Emmanuel Looks at the Rewards of Obedience
Most people are familiar with the saying “no risk, no reward.” However, there is another — and far more essential — adage that applies to those who strive to align thought, word and deed, and become a light unto others in our sometimes dark, difficult world: no obedience, no rewards.
“For many people, the word obedience is associated with limitations,” commented Akintayo Emmanuel, the Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly. “However, when obedience is an authentic and ego-less act of devolution and submission to God, it is not restrictive. On the contrary, it is remarkably empowering and energizing. It is not a negative experience, but a profoundly positive one.”
According to Akintayo Emmanuel, who in addition to serving as the Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly is also President of Hear the Lord Ministries, here are some of the transformative rewards of obedience that people who joyfully surrender to God’s Divine Will can expect to experience in ways they can imagine, and in more ways they cannot:
Steadfast Inner Peace
Life is inherently challenging with ups and downs, highs and lows. However, those who commit to living a life of obedience — which means rejecting circumstantial ethics, moral short-cuts and intellectual laziness, and instead lovingly embracing God’s divine plan for them — experience and enjoy, as promised in Philippians 4:7 “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”
One of the by-products of living an obedient life, is that many problems that would in the past have seemed terrible and insurmountable, now become an invitation to shine God’s light. What was once an obstacle, now becomes an opportunity.
Authority and Influence
Anyone who attempts to leverage a superficial commitment to obedience will quickly realize that instead of rewarding, their experience will be woefully regrettable. In other words, nobody should or ultimately can use obedience as a currency to buy power. However, those who truly embrace obedience in their hearts — not to impress anyone, but out of an authentic and total submission God — discover that more and more people count on them for guidance and advice.
Adds Akintayo Emmanuel: “One of the fruits of true obedience is integrity, which people from all walks of life can instantly recognize are naturally gravitate towards — the same way that magnets attract metal. In this sense, those who are truly, deeply obedient to God in word, thought and deed find themselves invested with a potent authority and influence. It has nothing to do with their job title, the role they have in the community, how much money they have, or who they know. Regardless of where they go, people, including total strangers, invariably start looking to them for leadership — even if they’re just standing in line at the post office. It’s truly wondrous and always positive.”
Insights and Inspiration
Last but certainly not least, people who live a life of obedience are blessed with powerful, often life-changing insights and inspirations that are by no means limited to celestial considerations: they can and should be applied to everything from everyday decision-making to long-term strategic choices.
Adds Akintayo Emmanuel, who as the Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly is inspired by a vision of seeing all nations coming together to worship the Lord and deeply walking closer to Him: “God is always talking to us, without exception. However, because we get lost in our own egos, distractions and dramas, we stop listening — and then wonder why our prayers aren’t being answered or our paths are blocked. It can be said that those who live a life of obedience tune back into God’s eternal broadcast. Suddenly, they receive insights and inspirations that point the way forward. Just as teachers reward and appreciate the best students in class, God rewards and appreciates those who open their hearts and minds to Him through obedience, loyalty and love.”
