Bible Class: Lesson 32

What is obedience?

Obedience is  to do what is commanded,  to comply with authority, to do or keep instructions, to be in subjection to authority. It is compliance with an order, request, law or submission to authority or what is instructed.

• Luke 6:46
  Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
• John 14:15
  If you love me, keep my commands.

The burden of obedience

Obedience for some persons seems to be too much and demanding. Human beings react to obedience in different ways. Some are reluctant, rebel, and some question why they should obey. Some persons see Christianity as a burden. They see serving God and doing what he has commanded as a burden. Christianity to some is too much work, time and responsibility. Obedience seemed to be much work for Israel to serve God. Israel had a problem with obedience.

• Malachi 3:14
  “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?
• Joshua 24:14-15
  “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Obedience and humility

Obedience is not natural to man. Our human nature is to resist and do not comply. We must empty ourselves and cultivate a humble spirit to obey.

• Philippians 2:5-8
  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Obedience in the home

Children are instructed to obey their parents. Parents have a moral right to instruct children in the right ways of life, and the children have a moral right to carry out and do what parents instruct. Paul said it is the right thing for children to do, that good may follow them. Some children rebel and refuse to obey parents. Obedience has a reward.

• Ephesians 6:1-3
  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother" which is the first commandment with a promise. “So that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
• Deuteronomy 5:16
  Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
• Proverbs 6:20-23
  My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
  

Christians and obedience

Obedience is not an option. Christians are expected to obey the instructions of God. Christians are expected to be obedience followers in living holy lives.

• 1 Peter 1:14-16
  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Jesus is our example of obedience

Jesus learnt obedience. Obedience is not natural to man. We must learn obedience.

• Hebrews 5:8-9
  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

Is obedience necessary?

Society, the home and church cannot function without laws, rules and regulations. The laws, rules and regulations that are in society are to be respected and obeyed. What would happen if there is no obedience?

• Judges 21:25
  In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Partial obedience

People have the concept that it does not matter, what we do and how we carry out instructions from God. God requires full and complete obedience. Saul was instructed what to do. He partially obeyed God. It cost him his kingship.

• 1 Samuel 15:1-3
  Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so, listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”
• 1 Samuel 15:7-9
  Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they destroyed.
• 1 Samuel 15:19-25
  Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”

Full obedience is necessary

God requires complete and full obedience. Full obedience is rewarded. Fear and doubt have consequences. Caleb fully obeyed. People who do not obey God are punished.

• Numbers 14:22
  But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.
• Hebrews 3:18
  And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?

Obedience to authorities

God set up government for a purpose. Society cannot be left to itself. Are Christians required to obey the law of the land? When Christians violate the law of the land, are they not answerable to the authorities?

• Romans 13:1-7
  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
• 1 Peter 2:13-15
  Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
   
  

Obedience and respect to church leaders

God set up his church with laws, rules and leaders. We are asked to obey them. Some people retaliate and refuse to do so. Why should members obey leaders?

• Hebrews 13:7
  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
• Hebrews 13:17
  Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
• 1 Thessalonian 5:12-13
  Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Obedience and salvation

The salvation of our souls depends on our obedience to the truth of God’s word. We are to do what God has commanded. When we obey God, he will bless us. He will forgive our sins and give us the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 2:38
  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 5:32
  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
• Ephesians 1:13
  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
• 1 Peter 1:22
  Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.