The Cost of Radical Obedience to God Versus the Reward of His Blessing
Radical Obedience
In Genesis 12, God called Abram, who later became Abraham to leave his country and to get away from his father’s house. That sounds like radical obedience in a day and time when travel wasn’t easy—no cars, no buses, no airplanes—just camels. And there was no calling home when you got a little homesick and wanted to talk to the people you have known and loved your whole life.
Even more radical is the fact that Abraham had no clue where He was going. God didn’t say, “Hey Abraham, I need you to go to Canaan.” Just…
“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1
Abraham’s obedience to God definitely falls into the “radical” category.
Interestingly, God sometimes requires that level of obedience with us. In my latest podcast, Is God Calling You Out of Normal Life into Something That Feels Risky, Jessica DeYoung shares her own story of following God from her normal life to places unknown. God spoke to Jessica and her husband to sell their house, buy an RV and hit the road with their four children and their dog. So they did.
Hearing Jessica’s story made me realize that following God can be risky to normal life and our “creature comforts” (per Jessica’s husband). Jessica talked about the comfort, the identities, the roles, the friendships, the ministries the Lord stripped away from her when making this major life move. Honestly, thinking about God calling her to leave it all behind, made me just a little uncomfortable—what if He asked me to do the same thing…
That is where I feel the discomfort.
I like my life.
I like my home.
I like my “normal.”
What about you?
Why Do We Always Focus On The Cost Of Obedience?
So often we only see, or focus in on the sacrifice that obeying God might mean for us. We see the risks, the costs, the difficulty of walking in that obedience. But what I love about Abraham’s story is that God’s calling to obedience actually was intended to be the way that he would receive God’s blessing and a spiritual inheritance that was radically bigger, boarder, and even eternal in comparison to the sacrifice that the obedience required.
For one thing, Abraham doing what God told him to do, got him listed in the Hall of Faith chapter, Hebrews 11—not once, but twice. We will come back to the second time, but for now, read Hebrews 11:8 and look for the blessing of his obedience rather than the cost.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would
receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:8
Abraham’s obedience equaled him receiving an inheritance. In Genesis 12:2-3, God promised him:
“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great;
and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,
and I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3
Let’s list what God’s promised inheritance to Abraham looked like:
1) He would be blessed.
2) His would get a great name.
3) He would be a blessing.
4) God would curse those who cursed him.
5) Through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.
When you look at the list of good, it doesn’t seem like radical obedience costs as much.
Comparison of Obedience and Blessing
My husband knows I am a high value girl when shopping. I don’t mind spending, but I want to know that I got my best bang for my buck. That may be why I like TJ Maxx. I usually feel like I can find something equally cute for a better price at a TJ Maxx than I can at a major department store. When I look at the price of leaving normal comfortable life behind compared to God’s promised blessings based on obedience, the list of blessings wins.
We see this concept in Jesus choosing obedience.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself
and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:8
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Abraham saw the greater reward of obedience over the cost. Jesus saw the reward of obedience over the cost. And my friend, Jessica, also saw the reward of following God’s calling over the cost of giving up her comfortable, normal life. And Paul made the same assessment.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
An Issue of Trust
All of this really reminds me of a blog post I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Is God Good? The Bible Teaches That God Desires Good For His People.
The issue, the link between a willingness to follow Jesus no matter what He says and no matter where He tells you to go comes down to trust. Do you trust Him? Do you believe Him? Do you believe His word is true when He says,
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
God’s conditional blessing on obedience has always been there, but I think we often view that negatively. We want freedom to do whatever we want while still expecting God’s blessing. But God’s instruction is not an indictment of His character—it is actually evidence of His love and mercy toward us.
God, like a loving Father, wants good for us. Therefore, He gives us instruction to lead us toward that rather than leave us on our own to figure it all out for ourselves.
Bible Verses about God’s Desire for Our Good:
You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you,
Deuteronomy 5:33
"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.'
Jeremiah 7:23
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
Isaiah 1:19
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Joshua 1:7
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8
As a Bible study teacher, I wish we were sitting together at a table with our Bibles and journal open and pens in our hands so we could take a moment to look at one more Scripture and them talk about this comparison of the cost of obedience to God versus the blessings. But since we can’t, I want to challenge you to take this a little further on your own.
Click here to Read Proverbs 3:3-10.
In your journal or on a paper, make 2 columns:
1) God’s Instruction - Under this heading list everything you see that sounds like an instruction.
2) God’s Blessing - Under this heading list everything you see that sounds like God’s blessing or reward.
Then go back through the bible verse listed in this blog and do the same thing.
Jesus said in Luke 14:28, “count the cost” of following Him. So, take some time to do count the cost based on all what God says. Ask yourself:
Is the blessing worth the cost?
Does the cost of obedience outweigh the blessing and reward or does the blessing and reward outweigh the cost of obedience?
Listen to the latest HER Podcast: Is God Calling You Out of Normal Life into Something That Feels Risky,
Frequently Asked Questions About Radical Obedience
What is radical obedience to God?
Radical obedience to God means trusting and following Him even when His instructions feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or costly. It is choosing faith over comfort and trusting that God’s plans are greater than our own understanding.
Why does God call people out of their comfort zones?
God often calls us beyond what feels safe or familiar because spiritual growth, deeper trust, and greater dependence on Him happen when we rely on His direction instead of our own security.
Does obedience to God always require sacrifice?
Obedience to God often involves sacrifice, surrender, or letting go of control. However, Scripture repeatedly shows that God’s blessing, peace, and spiritual reward far outweigh the temporary cost of obedience.
How do I know if God is asking me to take a step of faith?
God’s leading will never contradict Scripture. Prayer, time in God’s Word, wise counsel, and the peace of the Holy Spirit all help us discern whether God is leading us into a new step of faith and obedience.
What does the Bible say about trusting God in uncertainty?
The Bible teaches believers to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Even when we do not fully understand where God is leading, we can trust His character, His promises, and His faithfulness.
Why are wilderness seasons important in the Christian life?
Wilderness seasons are often places of spiritual growth, preparation, dependence on God, and deeper intimacy with Him. Throughout Scripture, God used wilderness seasons to shape and strengthen His people.
