Body: | What is Bible Obedience?
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1: 1. Not
only did God create the heaven and the earth, God also, "created man in his
own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he
them". Genesis 1: 27.
Every person of the whole human race is loved mightily and tenderly by God
our Creator. Whatever God has ever done for the human race, he has done out
of genuine love, and with an intense desire to see man happy. In the Book,
the Bible, our loving heavenly Father and beneficent Creator has revealed
unto the human race His divine will.
Everything God has ever said to us in His Holy Book has been said for our
own good, and is conducive to our happiness here in this life, and in the
life that is to come. Our obedience, therefore, to God's holy will as
revealed in the Bible, is for our own personal happiness and eternal
welfare.
A study of the Bible and of human history reveals that man's obedience to
God's will has always brought man happiness, and disobedience has always
brought unhappiness. For this reason we have in the Bible an emphasis on
obedience. God said, "The things I command you, observe to do". Deuteronomy
12: 32. Again, "If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of
the land". Isaiah 1: 19.
Christ himself set the example of obedience to the Father's will. "Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey him". Hebrews 5: 8,9. Christ said, "I came down from heaven,
not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" John 6: 38.
Again Christ said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father
which is in heaven" Matthew 7: 21. The inspired Apostle John said, "He that
doeth the will of God abideth forever" I John 2: 17.
Man must come to know God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "This is
life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ
whom thou has sent" John 17:3. Eternal life thus depends on our knowing
God. But how do we know that we know God? "Hereby we know that we know him,
if we keep his commandments" I John 2: 3. We cannot claim scripturally to
know God, if we refuse to keep his commandments. Obedience shows we know
God.
Man needs friendship with God and his Son. Jesus said, "Ye are my friends,
if you do whatsoever I command you" John 15:14. Obedience is an expression
of our friendship with Jesus. What a marvelous friend we have in him! Every
human being needs this close friendship with our blessed Lord. Obedience
shows our friendship. Faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son is essential to
our salvation from sin. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved" Acts 16: 31. But our faith is not a saving faith unless it
expresses itself in obedience to God's will. The inspired James said, "For
as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also" James 2:26. Saving faith expresses itself in obedience to God's will.
Certainly we know that love for God on our part is indispensable. But love
expresses itself in obedience. "If you love me, keep my commandments", said
Jesus in John 14: 15. Vocal claims of love for God and His Son are empty
sounds unless they come from the hearts of faith, finding expression in
willing, loving obedience to God's will. Faithful obedience to God shows we
love God.
May God bless you richly in your obedience to His will.
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