What is obedience?

Obedience is an act or instance of submitting to an authority. It is compliance with the demands or requests of someone over us. The general words for obedience in both Hebrew and Greek refer to hearing a superior authority. One Greek word that is translated “obedience” includes the idea of submission to authority in the sense of arranging or ordering oneself under someone in a place of command. Another Greek word suggests obedience that is a result more of persuasion than of submission.

Obedience to God and human authorities is an obligation stressed in both the Old Testament and New Testament. Abraham was additionally blessed on one occasion because he obeyed God in offering Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:5). God’s continued blessing upon Israel by virtue of the Sinai covenant was contingent upon their obeying his voice and keeping his covenant (Exodus 19:5). On the verge of entering Canaan, Moses placed before Israel a blessing and a curse—the former if they listened to and obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and the latter if they did not (Deuteronomy 11:22-28).
Deuteronomy warns that the penalty for stubborn and rebellious children is, first of all, chastisement, and then death by stoning if they persistently refuse to listen (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

One evidence that a person is a child of God is continued obedience to the commandments of God (1 John 2:3-5). Jesus said that those who love him would keep his commandments (John 14:15). And Peter, speaking of Christians, calls them “obedient children” (1 Peter 1:14).

Christians are to render obedience to a variety of people: believers to the Lord (John 14:21-24), wives to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24), children to their parents (Ephesians 6:1), citizens to their governmental officials (Romans 13:1-7), and servants to their masters (Ephesians 6:5).

However, in spite of the strong stress on obedience in the Bible, such obedience is never made the grounds for justification before God. Paul declares that salvation is a gift of God that will produce good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). So, too, James speaks of works of obedience as flowing from faith (James 2:14-26).

Jesus himself, on the night of his betrayal, emphasized by repetition that love for him is measured by obedience to his commandments (John 14:15). He underscored this by asserting that his own love for the Father was evidenced by his obeying the Father’s commands (John 14:31). The Bible mentions many people whose obedience to God comes from their faith and love for him (Hebrews 11). For example, Abel believed God and offered a more excellent sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4); Noah put his faith in God’s word and prepared an ark (Hebrews 11:7); by faith Abraham left Ur at God’s direction, not knowing his destination (Hebrews 11:8); Moses put his faith in God and refused the privileges of being called Pharaoh’s son, choosing rather to identify with Israel, God’s people (Hebrews 11:24-25). The greatest example of obedience based on trust in God is Jesus Christ himself. He emptied himself, taking the form of a bond servant; he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8).

Why do people obey?

People obey for three reasons:

• A slave obeys because he/she must obey.
• An employee obeys because they need to obey.
• A loving son or daughter obeys because they want to obey.

Disobedience

Another word for disobedience to the revealed truth of God's holy word is sin.  If God says "don't ..." and you do, you have sinned against God.  If God says "do ..." and you don't, you have sinned against God.

Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. - Colossians 3:20

So, if children do not obey their parents, the sin is not disobedience to the parents; the sin is disobedience to God.

THE FREEDOM OF OBEDIENCE

IN WHAT WAYS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD TRUE FREEDOM?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 3:1-24
KEY BIBLE VERSE: He replied, “I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:10-11)

OBEDIENCE KEEPS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD OPEN AND FREE

Adam and Eve got what they wanted: an intimate knowledge of both good and evil. But they got it by doing evil, and the results were disastrous. Sometimes we have the illusion that freedom is doing anything we want. But God says that true freedom comes from obedience and knowing what not to do. The restrictions he gives us are for our good, helping us avoid evil. We have the freedom to walk in front of a speeding car, but we don’t need to be hit to realize it would be foolish to do so. Don’t listen to Satan’s temptations. You don’t have to do evil to gain more experience and learn more about life.

BIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 30:11-19
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. I have commanded you today to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. (Deuteronomy 30:15-16)

OBEYING GOD IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST

God has called us to keep his commands, while reminding us that his laws are not hidden from us or beyond our reach. Have you ever said you would obey God if you knew what he wanted? Have you ever complained that obedience is too difficult for a mere human? These are unacceptable excuses. God’s laws are written in the Bible and are clearly evident in the world around us. Obeying them is reasonable, sensible, and beneficial. The most difficult part of obeying God’s laws is simply deciding to start now.

BIBLE READING: 1 Chronicles 15:11-29
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it in the proper way. (1 Chronicles 15:13)

OBEYING GOD, EVEN WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND, IS TRUE FREEDOM

When David’s first attempt to move the ark failed (13:8-14), he learned an important lesson: when God gives specific instructions, it is wise to follow them precisely. This time David saw to it that the Levites carried the ark (Numbers 4:5-15). We may not fully understand the reasons behind God’s instructions, but we do know that his wisdom is complete and his judgment infallible. The way to know God’s instructions is to know his Word. But just as children do not understand the reasons for all their parents’ instructions until they are older, we may not understand all of God’s reasons in this life. It is far better to obey God first, and then discover the reasons. We are never free to disobey God just because we don’t understand.

BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-21
KEY BIBLE VERSE: God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant. (Romans 5:20)

FREEDOM TO OBEY COMES THROUGH GOD’S GRACE

As a sinner, separated from God, you see his law from below, as a ladder to be climbed to get to God. Perhaps you have repeatedly tried to climb it, only to fall to the ground every time you have advanced one or two rungs. Or perhaps the sheer height of the ladder seems so overwhelming that you have never even started up. In either case, what relief you should feel to see Jesus offering with open arms to lift you above the ladder of the law, to take you directly to God! Once Jesus lifts you into God’s presence, you are free to obey-out of love, not necessity, and through God’s power, not your own. You know that if you stumble, you will not fall back to the ground. Instead, you will be caught and held in Christ’s loving arms.

THE BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM GOD WHEN WE OBEY HIM?

BIBLE READING: Joshua 1:1-9
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. (Joshua 1:8)

OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS PLEASING TO HIM

Many people think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria. He said that to succeed Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous, because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law-God’s Word. To be successful, follow God’s words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world’s standards, but you will be a success in God’s eyes-and his opinion lasts forever.

BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When Abijah died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king. There was peace in the land for ten years, for Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the LORD his God. (2 Chronicles 14:1-2)

OBEDIENCE TO GOD OFTEN LEADS TO PEACE

Asa’s reign was marked by peace because he “did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the LORD his God.” This refrain is often repeated in Chronicles-obedience to God leads to peace with God and others. In the case of Judah’s kings, obedience to God led to national peace, just as God had promised centuries earlier. In our case, obedience may not always bring peace with our enemies, but it will bring peace with God and complete peace in his future kingdom. Obeying God is the first step on the path to peace.

THE CHALLENGE OF OBEDIENCE

HOW IS OBEDIENCE CHALLENGED?

BIBLE READING: Exodus 5:4-9
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Load them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to these liars! (Exodus 5:9)

OBEDIENCE IS OFTEN CHALLENGED BY DIFFICULTIES

Moses and Aaron took their message to Pharaoh just as God directed. The unhappy result was harder work and more oppression for the Hebrews. Sometimes hardship comes as a result of obeying God. Are you following God, but still suffering-or suffering even worse than before? If your life is miserable, don’t assume you have fallen out of God’s favor. You may be suffering for doing good in an evil world.

BIBLE READING: Joshua 9:1-6
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” (Joshua 9:6)

OBEDIENCE IS OFTEN CHALLENGED BY DECEPTION

As the news about their victory became widespread, the Israelites experienced opposition in two forms: direct (kings in the area began to unite against them) and indirect (the Gibeonites resorted to deception). We can expect similar opposition as we obey God’s commands. To guard against these pressures, we must rely on God and communicate daily with him. He will give us strength to endure the direct pressures and wisdom to see through the trickery.

HOW DOES OBEDIENCE CHALLENGE US?

BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:17-20
KEY BIBLE VERSE: If you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

OBEDIENCE CHALLENGES US TO GO BEYOND MERE UNDERSTANDING

Some of those in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they missed the central point of God’s laws themselves. Jesus made it clear, however, that obeying God’s law is more important than explaining it. It’s much easier to study God’s laws and tell others to obey them than to put them into practice. How are you doing at obeying God yourself?

OBEDIENCE CHALLENGES US TO GO BEYOND MERE OUTWARD CONFORMITY

The Pharisees were exacting and scrupulous in their attempts to follow their laws. So how could Jesus reasonably call us to a greater righteousness than theirs? The Pharisees’ weakness was that they were content to obey the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts (or attitudes). Jesus was saying, therefore, that the quality of our goodness should be greater than that of the Pharisees. They looked pious, but they were far from the kingdom of God. God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is in the heart that our real allegiance lies. Be just as concerned about your attitudes that people don’t see as about your actions that are seen by all.

OBEDIENCE CHALLENGES US TO ACT OUT OF LOVE FOR GOD

Jesus was saying that his listeners needed a different kind of righteousness altogether (love and obedience), not just a more intense version of the Pharisees’ righteousness (legal compliance). Our righteousness must (1) come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves, (2) be God-centered, not self-centered, (3) be based on reverence for God, not approval from people, and (4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law.

Please stay tuned for more.