What words come to mind when you think of obedience? For the world, “obedience” is in the same field as rules, restrictions, and unhappiness. However, as believers, we do not view things the way the world does. We have truth that is found in Jesus, the Word of God (Ephesians 4:21).
God’s Word tells us that His way leads to life (Psalm 119:37; Matthew 7:14). Obeying the Lord means freedom, joy, peace, and abundance from God Himself (John 8:32; 15:11; 14:27; Malachi 3:10).
Here are some additional passages that provide us truth and wisdom into godly obedience:
1 John 2:3 tells us that our obedience to God is a symbol of our knowing God. Joyful obedience occurs when we truly acknowledge our sin and God’s saving grace in our lives. It occurs when we realize God is loving and right, and He has our best in mind.
1 John 5:3-4 tells us that we love God by keeping His commands, or living according to His Word. God’s Word is not a burden to us, for it leads us on the path of life. God is good. His way is the most abundant way.
In Christ, faith and obedience work hand in hand through love. The Word of God tells us it is by grace through faith that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus also tells us that without obedience, we can not have real love for God (John 14:15). Simply put, faith leads to obedience. When we obey, we are loving the Lord because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Take a moment to read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and Philippians 2:1-4. These verses continue to transform the way I view obedience. Here I realize that God’s love for me demonstrated in Christ is the motivating force behind my obedience to God. Therefore, I seek to know more and more what it means to be loved by God (see Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesians 3:14-19.
God is our heavenly Father, and He is a good Father. Perhaps you have not experienced the love of an earthly father. I want you to know that God is unlike any earthly father. He is perfect in love. He is perfect in grace. He is perfect in truth.
He created you in your mother’s womb because He wants to be in a relationship with you. Love was and is His motivating force. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in your place and pay the price for your sins. He raised Jesus from the dead to conquer death so that you could live forever with Him one day.
He offers grace to cover your mistakes. He removes your shame. He calls you a new creation when you believe in His name.
Obedience to God becomes our natural response as we discover and know the character of God and the gospel of God’s grace. We are obeying Someone who loves us deeply and has proven it (Romans 5:8).
How then should we live? The Word of God says it better than I ever could (Titus 2:11-14):
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.”
According to the Word, we are to live with every part of us captivated by God’s grace and loving God with the entirety of our being. We are to intentionally walk away from sin and into the newness of life given to us by Christ. We are to love God’s people and His church, a testimony of His love to the world. We are to love like Christ.
To sum it all up, do you know the love of God? Jesus has shown it to us. I would encourage you to read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Get to know who Jesus, your Savior, truly is. Be reminded of His character. Allow His beautiful love to lead you to obey — to follow in His way — and then experience His abundant life. You are loved more than you will ever know.
