So you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God and do His commandments and statutes which I command you today.
Deuteronomy 27:10 AMPC
Many believers in Christ view obedience as optional. They choose to follow God’s instructions only when they find them easy or convenient. However, the Bible emphasises the importance of obedience to God and even to those in positions of authority and our parents. (See Ephesians 6:1, 5, Colossians 3:20, 22, Titus 3:1, and Hebrews 13:17.)
Obedience is the act of submitting to authority. When it comes to God, obedience means willingly complying with His commands and instructions. No instruction from God is too small or insignificant to obey, as illustrated in 2 Kings 5:1-14. Meanwhile, the essence of trust can be overemphasised in terms of obedience. It is difficult and almost impossible to obey someone you do not trust willingly. When you trust God, you will naturally follow Him (2 Kings 18:5; Proverbs 3:5).
Similarly, faith is another cornerstone of obedience. Obedience to God often requires faith because His instructions may sometimes seem unreasonable when evaluated with human reasoning. However, faith empowers us to act and obey.
Meanwhile, it is crucial to note that sacrifice cannot substitute obedience, no matter how precious or weighty the sacrifice may be. God told Saul through Samuel the same in 1 Samuel 15:22. Saul, in an attempt to manipulate God’s instructions to align with personal desires, tried to use sacrifice as a disguise. However, sacrificing without obedience is akin to trying to bribe God, and God cannot be bribed. Unfortunately, many Christians today attempt to replace obedience with sacrifice. Additionally, partial obedience is equivalent to disobedience. Complete obedience involves fully adhering to all of God’s instructions, not just selectively following the ones we prefer. Those who obey God fully enjoy the most profound relationship with Him.
God Himself desires our obedience. The best way to experience His blessings is to follow His instructions, and His commands are not burdensome. Our obedience is an act of honour to God, acknowledging who He is. Just as a father expects obedience from his children, we must understand that obedience to God is not optional but essential.
The Bible provides numerous examples of those who disobeyed God and highlights the consequences of such actions. Disobedience dishonours God and has many consequences. However, judgemental fear should not drive us into obedience but a reverential fear of our Father.
Abraham stands as one of the Bible’s most significant examples of obedience. When God called him to leave his homeland and go to a place He would show him, Abraham obeyed even without knowing where he was going (Genesis 12:1-4). Later, when God tested him by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham demonstrated unwavering obedience.
In conclusion, obedience to God is not merely an option but a necessity for those who seek to live in alignment with His will. Grounded in trust and faith, obedience is the key to experiencing God’s blessings and maintaining a close relationship with Him. As believers, let us prioritise obedience to God, honouring Him through our willingness to follow His commands, and thereby live a life that reflects our faith and trust in Him.
