OBEDIENCE


The meaning of the word obedient is dutifully complying with the commands, orders,or instructions of one in authority. Obedience is the act or practice of being obedient.

We read in Deuteronomy 13:4," You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. " We are commanded to keep the commands of God.

Jeremiah 7:23," 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.'"

An example of obedience that we can easily relate to is parents instructing their children as to what they should do. When we instruct our children, we are not happy when they only obey a portion of our commands. We want our children to obey all that we tell them.

There are many Biblical examples of obedience to the will of God.

We read in Genesis 6:22," Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded Him, so He did."

"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

In the Old Testament, we are told of the Kings of the United Kingdom and the Divided Kingdom. Some obeyed God and some were disobedient.

I Kings 15:11," Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. " But we read in I Kings 13:33," After this event Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but again he made priests from every class of people for the high places; whoever wished, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. "

In the New Testament, we are told of Zacharias and Elizabeth and their righteous lives. " And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. " Luke 1:6

God chose them to be the parents of the prophet John who would prepare the people for the coming of Christ.

We are to obey Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for us. In His sacrificial suffering and death we have hope of a life with God after our death upon this earth.

He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.
John 14:21 (NKJV)

For God so loved this world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16(NKJV)

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
Romans 1:5(NKJV)

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
Romans 6:17(NKJV)

Our obedience to God is not forced, it is spontaneously offered. Obedience keeps our connection with God free and open. We are not to listen to any of Satan's temptations.

It is in our best interest to obey God. God wants us to keep His commands, while reminding us that obeying Him is not beyond our reach. Obeying them is reasonable, and beneficial. The hardest part of obeying the laws of God is simply deciding to begin now.

We read in Acts 5:29," But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ' We ought to obey God rather than man. '"

Obedience to God is pleasing to him. Even if your accomplishments do not meet the world's standards, you are successful in God's "eyes” and His opinion lasts forever.

" For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. " Romans 5:19

Real freedom is achieved through obedience to God. The only way to comprehend the Bible is to know God's will. Our obedience to Him will be tested.

It will also be tried by deceptive means. In counteracting these pressures, we need to lean upon God. When we are living for Him, He will give us the strength to withstand any burdens or hardships, and the wisdom to realize any deception.

We read in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14," Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Discussion and study questions
(1) How is obedience to God real freedom?
(2 ) In what ways is our obedience challenged?

Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence