Why is obedience to God important?
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible has a lot to say about obedience. In the history of the Ten Commandments, we see how important the concept of obedience is for God.
Deuteronomy 11: 26-28 summarizes it thus: “Obey and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will be cursed. " In the New Testament we learn through the example of Jesus Christ that believers are called to a life of obedience.
Definition of Obedience in the Bible
The general concept of obedience in both the Old and New Testaments refers to listening to or listening to a higher authority. One of the Greek terms for obedience conveys the idea of placing yourself under someone by submitting to their authority and command. Another Greek word for obeying in the New Testament means "trusting".
According to Holman's Illustrated Bible Dictionary a concise definition of biblical obedience is "to listen to the Word of God and act accordingly". Eerdman's Biblical Dictionary states that "True 'hearing' or obedience implies the physical hearing that inspires the listener and a belief or trust that in turn motivates the listener to act in accordance with the speaker's wishes."
Therefore, biblical obedience to God means listening, trusting, submitting and surrendering to God and his Word.
8 reasons why obedience to God is important
1. Jesus calls us to obedience
In Jesus Christ we find the perfect model of obedience. As his disciples, we follow Christ's example as well as his commands. Our motivation for obedience is love:
If you love me, you will obey my commandments. (John 14:15, ESV)
2. Obedience is an act of worship
While the Bible places a strong emphasis on obedience, it is vital to remember that believers are not justified (made righteous) by our obedience. Salvation is a free gift from God and we cannot do anything to deserve it. True Christian obedience springs from a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received from the Lord:
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I beg you to give your bodies to God for all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the type they will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship it. (Romans 12: 1, NLT)
3. God Rewards Obedience
Several times we read in the Bible that God blesses and rewards obedience:
"And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed, all because you obeyed me." (Genesis 22:18, NLT)
Now if you obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my special treasure among all the peoples of the earth; since all the earth belongs to me. (Exodus 19: 5, NLT)
Jesus replied: "But even more blessed are all those who listen to the word of God and put it into practice." (Luke 11:28, NLT)
But don't just listen to the word of God. You have to do what it says. Otherwise, you're just fooling yourself. Because if you listen to the word and don't obey, it's like looking at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, go away and forget what you look like. But if you carefully observe the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what he says and don't forget what you've heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1: 22–25, NLT)
4. Obedience to God shows our love
The books of 1 John and 2 John clearly explain that obedience to God shows love for God. Loving God implies following his commands:
By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. Because this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (1 John 5: 2–3, ESV)
Love means doing what God commanded us and commanded us to love one another, just as you felt from the beginning. (2 John 6, NLT)
5. Obedience to God demonstrates our faith
When we obey God, we show our trust and faith in him:
And we can be sure of knowing him if we obey his commandments. If someone says "I know God" but does not obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and does not live in truth. But those who obey the word of God really show how much they love him completely. This is how we know we live in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2: 3–6, NLT)
6. Obedience is better than sacrifice
The phrase "obedience is better than sacrifice" has often baffled Christians. It can only be understood from the perspective of the Old Testament. The law required the Israelite people to offer sacrifices to God, but those sacrifices and offerings were never meant to take the place of obedience.
But Samuel replied: “What is more pleasing to the Eternal: your offerings and your sacrifices burned or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice and submission is better than offering the fat of the rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as worshiping idols. Therefore, because you refused the command of the Lord, he rejected you as king. " (1 Samuel 15: 22–23, NLT)
7. Disobedience leads to sin and death
Adam's disobedience brought sin and death into the world. This is the basis of the term "original sin". But Christ's perfect obedience restores friendship with God to all who believe in him:
Since, as for the disobedience of a man [of Adam], many were made sinners, so for the obedience of one [Christ] the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19, ESV)
Because as in Adam everyone dies, so also in Christ they will all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22, ESV)
8. Through obedience, we experience the blessings of holy life
Only Jesus Christ is perfect, therefore only he could walk in sinless and perfect obedience. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within, we grow in holiness. This is known as the sanctification process, which can also be described as spiritual growth. The more we read the Word of God, we spend time with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to change us from within, the more we grow in obedience and holiness as Christians:
Happy people who follow the instructions of the Eternal are joyful. Joyful are those who obey his laws and seek him with all their heart. They do not compromise with evil and only walk on its paths. You have instructed us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would constantly reflect your decrees! So I won't be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you for living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me! (Psalm 119: 1–8, NLT)
This is what the Eternal says: your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Eternal, your GOD, who teaches you what is good for you and guides you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace that flowed like a sweet river and justice that rolled over you like waves in the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore - too many to count! There would have been no need for your destruction or to cut the surname. "(Isaiah 48: 17–19, NLT)
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let's purify ourselves of everything that can contaminate our body or spirit. And we work for complete holiness because we fear God. (2 Corinthians 7: 1, NLT)
The verse above says: "Let us work for complete holiness." So we don't learn obedience overnight; it is a process that we pursue throughout our life making it a daily goal.