What does the Bible say about Obedience?

Obedience is shown in the world around us. The earth moves around the sun, the moon around the earth, the seasons come and go, all according to laws that are never broken.Mankind was also placed under law, although not in the same sense as the universe. And man alone dared to be disobedient.

There are two kinds of obedience. One is the obedience that is compelled by a stronger force. This is not willing obedience and if the opportunity arose, would likely cease. The other kind of obedience is willing. The person obeying recognizes the rightness of what is required and does it cheerfully. This kind of obedience brings peace and satisfaction. It is an inner control where reason rules and not mere whim or fancy.

Through obedience man can have life:

“Then as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18-19)

We must obey God:

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” (Acts 5:29)

God will reward obedience:

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:19,20)

We are either obedient to sin or obedient to God:

“Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

Disobedience is disregard for God:

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Obedience is learned through suffering:

“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8)

Obedience must come from the heart:

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:5-8)

Even our thoughts must be in obedience:

“For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

Obedience produces love:

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct… Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:14,15,21,22)

Quotations taken from The Revised Standard Version

Article by Julie.