Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”
Obedience simply means compliance with an order, instruction, request, or law. It also means submission to another’s authority or will.
When it comes to obedience, you can obey easily when the person to whom you must submit is around or has a direct supervisory role over you. Instances where you must obey an order or instruction of someone who is not physically present or directly going to oversee you is when your obedience is really tested.
Most people may pass the first test of obedience where they must obey an instruction from a leader, master, or a supervisor who is physically present. The second situation may be a challenge where only few can pass. Nonetheless, the Bible is admonishing us to be obedient in all situations.
You see, you must not wait for the person to whom you must obey to be present before you do that. That may equally be eye service. Nurture yourself beyond this level of attitude.
As a Christian, you must be disciplined enough, responsible enough, and wise enough to take heed to instruction, orders, and commands irrespective of presence of your instructor.
For instance, you don’t need your pastor to mount a surveillance on you before you live right or neither do you need your parents to monitor your going out and your coming in before you do what is right.
Learn to be obedient. Irrespective of what the situation may be like. That’s how to make progress in your endeavors.
Read: John 14:24, “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”
RHEMA From Heaven 