A Sure Pathway To Living An Overcoming Christian Life.
BIBLE PASSAGES – Acts 5:29 | 1 Peter 1:14 | 1 John 5:3 | Isaiah 1:19 | Luke 6:46 | Exo 23:22, Psalm 119:30 | John 14:31 | Luke 11:28 | 1 Sam 15:22.
INTRODUCTION
Obedience first and foremost is an important virtue in Christian calling, everything else follows after this solemn act. If you have faith in God and believe Christ is the truth and the only way then obey Him . John 14:6.
WHAT IS OBEDIENCE
Dictionary meaning/definition is – the act or instance of obeying. The quality or state of being obedient. It could also be “being submissive to the restraint or command of authority willingly”. Therefore, the meaning of Christian obedience is the act of submitting (obeying) to the commands (laws) of God, the highest authority, creator, and Father of mankind.
WHY SHOULD WE OBEY GOD?
God is the Creator and Lord of the universe, so we should obey him. We should hear God’s voice, accept his authority and do what he says voluntarily because only voluntary obedience is acceptable to God – Exo 15:26, Deu 4:35-40.
WHAT DOES OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD SHOWS? If we obey God it bring the proof of:
i) Our true love for God – John 21:15
ii) Our true discipleship – Matt 9:37-38
iii) Our true fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:22-23
iv) Our true born again character
v) Our true prayer toward God – Luke 11:2-4
vi) Our true rest on earth.
vii) Our true happiness – John 13:17, Psalms 40:8
viii) Our true knowledge in Christ – John 7:17
ix) Our true Sacrifice – 1Sam 15:22; Jer 7:21-23.
WHAT ARE THE SET RULES OF OBEDIENCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE
Christians have a responsibility to submit to the various kinds of authority that God has established in human society.
a) In the family, children are to obey their parents – Eph 6:1; Col 3:20).
b) In the church, Christians are to obey their leaders – Phi 2:12; 1Thess 5:12; Heb 13:7a.
c) In our work place, employees are to obey their employers – Eph 6:5; Col 3:22.
d) In our community or nation, we are to obey the laws of that community or nation – Rom 13:1 | 1Pet 2:13-14.
WHY SHOULD WE CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF OBEYING GOD
If we develop the habit of obeying God, they will become true servants of righteousness and therefore true servants of God.
By contrast, if they develop the habit of obeying the sinful human nature, they will become servants of sin and therefore useless to God Rom 6:12-16.
CONCLUSION
Our natural instinct is to do what we feel and think is right (just like the Israelites in the book of Judges).
But we are not called to obey lies, human bias, or any other thing different from the word of God.
