WALK IN OBEDIENCE

“Though He was a Son, yet HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE by the things which He suffered” – Hebrews 5:8

To Walk in God’s Way is to WALK IN OBEDIENCE: “Though He was a Son, yet HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE by the things which He suffered” (Heb.5:8). Obedience is doing everything God commands, as perfectly exemplified in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God plodded the path of Obedience. If He had to learn obedience, no human being will ever be excused from walking in obedience! The Christian Life begins with obedience and continues by means of it: “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall now the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jh.8:31b-32).

God has always valued Obedience, right from inception of human creation, through the Old Covenant, right into the New Covenant! Adam and Eve earned the bitter consequences of disobedience (Gen.3:17-19). Obedience is synonymous with walking with God: “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generation. Noah walked with God” (Gen.6:9). God told Israel: “Now therefore, if you will indeed OBEY My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exo.19: 5-6a).

Obedience means to hear God’s Word and act accordingly. The Scriptures become the rule of our whole life: “ALL Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Tim.3:16). Obedience is our practical response to the Word of God, as we become “DOERS of the Word, and not hearers only” (Jam.1:22). Obedience entails our coming to Christ, hearing His words, and putting them into practice (Lk.6:47). It is the primary pedestal for personal growth, and the fitting way to draw near to and grow in our relationship with God.

Obedience is the proof of the new birth and discipleship, and it constitutes the secret of the Believer’s Joy, no matter how costly that obedience may be: “If you keep MY COMMANDMENTS, you will abide in MY LOVE, just as I kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that MY JOY may remain in you, and that YOUR JOY may be FULL” (Jh.15: 10-11). Here, the Lord spells out three basic elements of Faith: obedience, love and joy. Love is at the centre, holding Obedience and Joy together. If we disobey, it’s because we don’t fully appreciate God’s Love; we don’t realise that sin interferes with our ability to love and to be loved. But when we obey because we love, we experience great Joy! Obedience motivated by love is a mark of mature faith!

Obedience is God’s work in us to will and to act according to His good purpose, as a consequence of the new birth (Phil.2: 13-14). However, God often confronts us with responsibilities to accept and obey if we are to walk pleasingly with or before Him! Living in obedience to God in all things, even the mundane, is a great way to show our love and respect for Him. Obedience is synonymous with loving God: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (Jh.14:15). It is a vital part of our relationship with Christ, and the primary pedestal for personal growth. Believers are called to a Life of Obedience!

God rewards Obedience because it pleases Him: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in OBEYING the voice of the LORD? Behold, to OBEY is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1Sam.15:22). Every command of God isn’t just for His sake, but ours: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isa.1:19). The path of Obedience is the path of Blessings: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who WALK in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who KEEP His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” (Psa.119: 1-2).