Obedience is a choice.  If we did not have a choice, what we do is no obedience, but a programmed response.  When we choose to do what pleases God when there are other options we can take, we are being obedient.  The Bible tells us in John 10:18 that Jesus laid down his life on his own initiative.  He was not coerced, but chose to do so.  That is obedience.  Again in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but thy will."?
 
  Because obedience is a choice, choosing to obey can be costly.  Sometimes the choice to obey requires little sacrifice, such as choosing between watching a football game on T.V. versus going to church.  Sometimes obedience requires more sacrifice.  The sacrifice may come in the form of an adjustment in my thinking, relationships, and commitments.  Take the case of the two sons in Matthew 21:28-30.  Father asked the 1st son to go to work in the field.  He answered, I will? but did not go.  The 2nd son answered ?I will not?, but had a change of heart and went.  Which son was obedient?  I believe we all have a desire to obey God.  But we are hesitant to act upon it because we know it requires an adjustment in our thinking, relationships, and commitments/priorities.
 Obedience grows out of humility.  If there is one characteristic that differentiates the humble from the arrogant it is obedience.  It is humility that lets us regard one another as more important than himself.  This attitude goes against that of the world.  The world delights in ?pecking order? where the strongest, the richest, and the famous pecks away at the not so strong, not so rich, and the not so famous.  But Jesus came to turn the pecking order upside down.  Jesus said, "Let him who is greatest among you become as the youngest; the leader as the servant."  Obedience grows out of the humble heart.
 
  Obedience is an act of love.  Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."  Jesus is asking, "Do you really love me?  Then do what I say."  It was Jesus' love for the heavenly father that sent him into the world.  It was Jesus' love for the heavenly father and the humanity that sent him to the cross.  Jesus knew how to talk the talk and to walk the walk.  Obedience is an outward expression of our love for God.  And the reward for our obedience is that we get to experience God's presence in our lives. 

  If we really want to know more of God, we must learn to obey God.  If we say that we love God, then we must learn to obey God.  Make the choice to love God.  For only when you love Him, will you put your faith in Him and trust Him.  Only then will you obey him.  Obedience is the path to greatness.