Understanding Obedience

This chapter explains that “obedience” (see Joh 3:36; Act 5:29, 32; 6:7; Rom 1:5; 15:18; 16:26; Heb 5:9; 1Pe 1:2, 22; cf. Mat 7:21–27; 12:50; 28:20; Mar 3:35; Luk 6:46–49; Act 7:39; Joh 8:31, 51; 14:23–24; Rom 2:13; 5:19; 6:16; 2Co 9:13; 10:5–6; 2Th 1:8; Heb 4:11; 11:8; Jas 1:22; 1Pe 1:14; 4:17; 1Jn 2:17; Pro 7:1–2; Jos 24:15) to the NT “commandments” of Christ (see Joh 14:15, 21, 13:34–35; 15:9–10, 12, 14; Mat 5:19; 19:17; 22:36–40; 28:20; Mar 10:19; 12:28–31; Luk 1:6; 18:20; 1Co 7:19; 1Th 4:2; 1Jn 2:3–5; 3:22–24; 4:21; 5:2–3; 2Jn 4–6; Rev 12:17; 14:12; cf. 1Jn 2:3–6; 5:2–3; Ecc 12:13) is a vital component of genuine saving faith.[1]^, [2] Matthew 7:21–27, in particular, is a call (and a warning) to be continually and consistently obedient (“who does,” “and acts on them”) to Christ and to also act with the right motives.[3] Obedience begins anew each day; even after we have been born again, we must wisely decide to follow Christ (“the rock”) or the world (“the sand”). The “wise man” fully understands the fact that the only thing that will stand in the end on Judgment Day is Christ and all those who are found blameless in Him, obedient to Him, and who lived their lives in humble service to and for Him.

Christ’s commandments are not suggestions—they are Christian Law, and whoever keeps His commandments (all of them, not just the ones you happen to like or agree with) also abides in Him (Joh 15:10; 1Jn 2:6; 2Jn 9). Said differently, the life of the faithful Christian is marked by continued obedience to Christ, and those who profess faith but are willfully and repeatedly disobedient are not following the plan of salvation given in Scripture.[4] Furthermore, since many of Christ’s commands involve taking action of some kind, one can’t help but “bear fruit” (Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15; Joh 15:2–4, 16; Rom 7:4–5; cf. Mat 3:8) for the Lord (i.e., do “good works,” Mat 5:16; Joh 10:32; Eph 2:10; 1Ti 2:10; 5:10; 6:18; cf. Col 1:10; 2Th 2:17; 1Ti 5:10; 2Ti 2:21; 3:17) if one is obedient to them. Therefore, obedience and “good works” are closely related, as discussed in the next chapter.[5]

THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST

The need for obedience by the “child of God”[6] is not unique to the NT; that requirement has been in God’s Word from the beginning (Gen 2:16–17; 4:26; Lev 26:14; Deu 4:1–24; 11:28; 28:15; 1Ki 9:4–7; Ecc 12:13; Eze 33:30–32; Jer 17:27; Mal 2:2–3; cf. Mat 8:10–12; 19:30). Remember, it was the “disobedience” (my italics; Rom 5:19; cf. Gen 3) of man in the Garden of Eden that started this whole mess of sin, suffering, disease, and death to begin with (Gen 2:15–17; 26:4–5; Exo 20:1–17; Deu 5:33; 28:1; 30:10). And just as there was a system of laws and ordinances in the OT (the Mosaic Law), the NT also has a “law of Christ” (1Co 9:21; Gal 6:2) which is expressed in the “commandments” of Christ. The wise Christian will, therefore, read and study Scripture so they know what all of those commandments and instructions are and so they are aware of what God expects from those who “call on the name of the Lord” (see Act 2:21; 22:16; Rom 10:13; 1Co 1:2; cf. Gen 4:26; Isa 12:4; Psa 91:14–15; 105:1; 116:4, 13, 17). Most people (even non-Christians) can recite the two most important ones (Mar 12:28–31):

• Love God,[7] and
• Love your neighbor (others) as yourself.[8]

However, NT Scripture goes into much more detail than that, as we must also consider the instructions given by the apostles. While I have given you a head start in the footnotes to guide you on the two mentioned above, I won’t list all of the commandments and instructions here. The wise Christian (and serious Bible student) will go study and seek them out—for if you do not even know what all of Jesus’ commandments are, how can you be obedient to them?[9]^, [10]

IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS

A Christian’s motive for obedience is “love,” not coercion (see Joh 14:15, 21–24; 15:9–14; 1Jn 2:3–6; 4:19; 5:2–3; 2Jn 6; cf. Gal 5:6; Eph 3:16–18; 6:24; 1Pe 1:8). We should always look back on the cross and remember the love of God and Jesus (Joh 3:16; 15:13), which God demonstrated to us “while we were yet sinners” (Rom 5:6–8), hostile to God, foreign to God, “enemies” of God (Rom 5:10; cf. Act 13:10; Col 1:21; Rom 8:7; Joh 15:23; Gen 3:15; Jas 4:4), and “separated” from God in sin (see Isa 59:2; Eph 2:12; 4:18). We see how Christ was obedient to the Father, and how it was through His obedience that we were (and are) saved (Joh 14:30–31; Heb 5:8–9; Luk 22:42; Php 2:5–8; Rom 5:19). As Christ loved the Father and was “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php 2:8), so we are obedient to Christ out of our love for Him. Can you claim to love Christ and then not do what He has asked (commanded) you to do? Such faith is worthless and is what Scripture calls a “dead” faith (Jas 2:17–26).[11]

GOD’S AUTHORITY

While we serve the Lord out of love with thankfulness and a glad heart, we also equally recognize Christ’s authority as our “Lord” and “King”[12]—for He created us, and He also “redeemed”[13] us from slavery to sin and death.[14] Therefore, when we come to Christ, we are giving (surrendering) our lives to Him to do with as He pleases, and we willingly become a “servant”[15] of God and Christ (see Mat 20:26; 23:11; Mar 9:35; Luk 16:13; 2Co 6:4; Col 1:7; 4:7; 1Ti 4:6; Rev 19:10; 22:9; cf. Mat 4:10; 6:24; Luk 1:74; 4:8; Act 7:7; 24:14; 27:23; Rom 1:9; 7:6; Col 3:23–24; 1Th 1:9; Heb 9:14; Rev 7:15; 22:3).[16] We, therefore, have a duty to God, and we are placing ourselves under His command as we choose to be obedient. We are actually offering (and living) our lives now as a sacrifice to God (1Th 4:1), just as Jesus did for us (Eph 5:2), and we are also to give Him our very best (1Co 9:23; Col 3:23; cf. Exo 34:26; Deu 18:4; Neh 10:34). Also, know that God reveals Himself more fully to those who are in obedience to Him (Joh 14:21).

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

The kind of faith that is “pleasing” to Christ (2Co 5:9; cf. Rom 8:5–8) is not one of casual commitment or convenience, nor foxhole faith,[17] nor an idle profession of faith. Rather, it is a lifelong commitment to Christ in selfless action and active obedience to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles). It is a faith that leads one to do the following each day:

• “Deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (see Mat 16:24; Mar 8:34; Luk 9:23; cf. Joh 12:25–26),
• “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 13:12–14; cf. Col 3:1–17; Eph 4:17–32),
• “Seek the things above, where Christ is” (see Col 3:1–2), instead of the things “of this world,” [18]
• Seek “His will” to be done instead of our own (Mat 7:21; 12:50; Mar 3:35; Joh 7:17; Eph 6:6; 1Pe 4:2; cf. Mat 6:10; 21:31; 26:42; Mar 14:36; Luk 22:42; Joh 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 9:31; Act 21:14; 22:14; Rom 1:10; 12:2; 15:32; 1Co 4:19; Col 1:9; Php 2:13; Heb 10:7–10; 36; 13:21; Jas 4:15; 1Pe 4:19; 1Jn 2:17; 5:14; Psa 40:8),
• “Abound in the work of the Lord” (see Mat 7:19; 24:45–51; Luk 12:43; 1Co 15:58; Rev 2:19; cf. Joh 6:28; Eph 2:10; Gal 6:9), and
• “Endure to the end” (see Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13; cf. 1Co 4:11–13; 9:12; 10:13; 13:7; 2Co 6:4; Heb 10:32; 12:1–2, 7; Jas 1:3; 5:11; Luk 21:19; Rev 2:3; 12:11; Php 3:8; 2Th 1:4; 2Ti 2:10–12; 3:11; 4:5; 1Pe 2:20).

The Lord will sort out professing Christians who are disobedient, the “hypocrites” (Mat 6:2, 5, 16; 15:7; 22:18; 23:13–15, 23–29; 24:51; Mar 7:6; Luk 12:56; 13:15; cf. Mat 15:8) and idle “professors” of faith[19] on Judgment Day (Mat 7:21–23; 13:24–30; cf. Mat 3:10; 7:13, 24–27; 24:45–51; 25:11–12; Luk 3:9; 6:46; 13:25; Rom 2:13; Tit 1:16; Jas 1:22; 2:20–26; Eph 2:2; 5:6; 6:5–6; Col 3:6; Heb 4:6, 11; Eze 33:30–33). In particular, the verses of Matthew 7:21–23 have to be some of the most tragic verses in the entire Bible. Realize that this scene occurs at the very gates of heaven itself—right on the brink of eternity on the “last day.”[20] Note that it is not just a few that will be turned away at that time from entering heavenly glory but “many” (Mat 7:22), being seen for what they are: “merely hearers” of the Word, but not “doers” of the Word in obedience and action (see Rom 2:13; Jas 1:22–25; Mat 7:21; 12:50; Mar 3:35; 1Jn 2:17; Joh 8:31, 51).[21]

BE LIKE CHRIST (AN IMITATOR OF CHRIST)

We further read in Scripture that we are to be “perfect” (Mat 5:48). You are probably wondering what that verse has to do with obedience. For the longest time (several years, in fact), I was confused by this verse even after becoming a Christian. I’ve heard it explained that this verse means that a Christian no longer sins; however, that is yet another false teaching of man.[22] Scripture is clear that the only Person who ever lived a perfect and sinless life was Jesus. So how in the world could I be perfect? I didn’t feel perfect; I did not (and do not) act perfect now, nor did I see a way to become perfect. If you ask anyone who knows me, you will certainly hear them agree that I am not perfect. In fact, the closer I get to Christ, the less perfect I feel as I start to see my own wretched nature more clearly.

The verse didn’t become clear to me until I wrote this book. It is actually a beautiful exhortation to be obedient to Christ—that is, to “imitate” Him and follow His “example” (see Joh 13:15; 1Co 11:1; 4:16; 1Th 1:7; 1Ti 1:16; 4:12; Tit 2:7; 1Pe 2:21; 5:3; cf. Mat 5:13–16; 10:38; 2Co 5:20; Eph 5:1–2; 6:20; Rom 2:19; Php 1:27; 2:15; 3:17; 1Th 1:6; 2Th 3:9; Heb 6:12; 12:1; 1Jn 2:6). As the Father is perfect (in love, the context of Mat 5:48) and Jesus expressed that love in perfect obedience to the Father (Joh 14:31; 5:19; 6:38; 12:49; Heb 5:7–10; Luk 22:41–42; Php 2:8), it is through obedience that we press on toward “perfection,” being made to conform more and more to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29; 2Co 3:18; Eph 4:13; Php 3:10; 1Jn 3:2). Thus, “imitating” Christ as best we can via obedience to His commandments is “perfection” for us.[23]

We cannot attain the perfection of Christ while we are still in our fleshly bodies of “corruption” (Gal 6:8; 2Pe 1:4; 2:19; cf. Rom 8:23), but we can strive to be more like Him and to imitate Him as best we can each day. As with salvation, becoming perfect (i.e., obedience) is a process, not an event. It happens as we continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18; cf. Col 1:9–12; Heb 6:1; Php 3:12–14)[24] by reading and studying His Word, and it is developed over a lifetime of conscious commitment to following Christ. As you continue doing that, you will find that you are moving toward “perfection.” If you were ever to be 100% obedient to all the commandments of Christ, you would look just like Him (not in outward appearance and not as a god but in behavior).

PROVE WHAT THE WILL OF GOD IS

Lastly, understand that obedience includes not doing some things any longer; in other words, obedience also includes abstaining from actions and behaviors that God has restricted and that aren’t appropriate for a Christian or “pleasing” to God (2Co 5:9; cf. Rom 8:5–8). By doing this, we “prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).[25] As you have read in prior chapters, you will very likely need to change your worldly habits, entertainment choices, and so on. If you fail to do those things, “sin is crouching at the door” (Gen 4:7), just waiting to pull you back into it. In fact, the more obedient you are, the more you will find that the sinful, lustful, prideful, and fleshly temptations of the world will come your way in an attempt by “the rulers … the powers … the world forces of this darkness … [and] the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12) to try to lure you and turn you back from following Christ and into the world again. You must “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7)[26] and continue to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” in obedience (Php 3:14).

IN SUMMARY

A truly saving Christian faith is not simply a one-time profession of faith (in words only) followed by idleness; it is followed by continued obedience to the commandments of Christ and the instructions of His apostles as a thankful “bond-servant” of Christ, as a “friend” of Christ, as a “child of God” and in love “bearing fruit” for the Lord. When you are born again, God gives you a new heart and a new spirit, and He also gives you “the desires of your [new] heart” (Psa 37:4), which actually makes you want to be obedient and “well-pleasing” (Php 4:18; Col 3:20; cf. Mat 11:26; Luk 10:21; 2Co 5:9; Rom 8:5–8) to your “heavenly Father,” just as Jesus also was obedient and “well-pleasing” (see Mat 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mar 1:11; Luk 3:22; cf. Mat 11:26; Luk 10:21) to the Father. Furthermore, it is “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9; 1Pe 1:11) dwelling in you that gives you the strength and ability to be obedient, as we could not be obedient by our own strength, might, or willpower.[27] Amazing and amen! The discussion of obedience continues in the next chapter on the role of works.

SPECIAL FALSE TEACHING WARNING: BEWARE

Before we continue, I want to call your attention to the danger of the “Sabbath keeping” false teaching (i.e., legalism), which claims that Christians today are required to keep the Saturday Jewish Sabbath day of rest.[28] When Jesus said to keep His “commandments,” He was referring to His commands and instructions as given in the NT, not the Ten Commandments of the Mosaic Law given to the Jews (Israelites). We today are no longer under the OT Mosaic Law—we are under the NT Law of Grace, as Jesus completely “fulfilled” the former Law for us (see Gal 4:4–5; Mat 5:17–20; cf. Mat 3:15–17; Luk 2:22–24, 27, 39; Rom 6:14; 7:4, 6; 8:3–4; 10:4; Gal 2:19; 3:17–25; 5:18; Eph 2:14–15; Heb 7:18).

This “Sabbath keeping” false teaching is being preached far and wide today by several groups and “isms” masquerading as “Christian” churches and deceiving millions of people. But fully understand that by accepting and adhering to this false teaching, you are re-crucifying Christ (Heb 6:6), and “you have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal 5:4; my italics). Furthermore, if you are putting yourself back under even one single part of the Mosaic Law to be justified (e.g., keeping the Jewish Sabbath), you are putting yourself back under the entire Mosaic Law (Jas 2:10; Gal 5:3; cf. Mat 5:17–19; Gal 3:10), and you must keep it perfectly from birth to death—which no person has done nor will ever do, except Jesus. So beware (see also Gal 1:6–9; 3:1–3; Rom 10:4; Col 2:14)!