“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me,
he will keep My word…he who does not love Me does not keep My words;
and the word which you hear is not Mine,
but the Father’s who sent Me.’” John 14:23‐24, NASB

Our Target is Obedience

God does not take disobedience lightly. Jesus taught that to love God is to obey His commands, but to disobey is the equivalent of not loving Him (John 14:15, 23‐24). Unfortunately, because of our sin nature, we try to justify doing what we shouldn’t—or not doing what we ought to. Sometimes we don’t even know God’s Word thoroughly enough to recognize the difference.

Just as a loving parent sets up boundaries in their home for the safety and well being of their
children (physically, emotionally, and spiritually), God has given us commands out of His love
for us. God promises blessings for His children who hear His Word and observe what it says (Luke 11:28 and James 1:25).

God’s blessings for our obedience include:

  • having peace and joy (Ps. 119:111, 165; John 15:10‐11; Isaiah 48:17‐18 NIV)
  • knowing the right path to take in life (Ps. 119:105, 128, 133)
  • living a long life and having future generations come to know the Lord (Deut. 6:1‐2 NASB)
  • being equipped for doing ministry (2 Tim. 3:16‐17)
  • or simply avoiding the consequences of disobedience (Deut. 11:26‐28)

The most important part of being obedient to God is that it shows Him love (2 John 1:6) and brings Him glory (Exodus 19:5 and 1 Peter 2:11‐12).

Obeying God's Word

God’s Commands

“But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty,
and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer
but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:25, NASB

The Bible is full of commands and teachings to guide our lives. Reflect on this partial list and
honestly ask yourself, “Are there any areas where I’m not being fully obedient?”

  • Repent and trust in Jesus for salvation (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9)
  • Be imitators of God and make Him your highest priority (Eph. 5:1, 8 and Matt. 6:33)
  • Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut. 6:4‐6, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27)
  • Be rooted in Him (Colossians 2:6‐7, Psalm 1:1‐3)
  • Aim for moral excellence (2 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 2:11‐12, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:3‐8)
  • Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thess. 5:22)
  • Obey the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1‐18)
  • Practice the Fruit of the Spirit, not their fleshly opposites (Galatians 5:19‐26, Eph. 5:9)
  • Tell others about Jesus and make disciples (Matt. 28:19‐20, Acts 1:8)
  • Care for the poor, orphans, and widows (Deut. 15:11, Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27, 1 John 3:17‐18)
  • Rejoice always (I Thess. 5:16, Philippians 4:4)
  • Pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 6:18)
  • Give thanks in everything (I Thess. 5:18, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 5:20)
  • Let peace rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:7)
  • Cast all your anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7, Matt. 6:26‐34, Philippians 4:6)
  • Do everything without grumbling or disputing (Philippians 2:14‐15)
  • Don’t be lazy (Proverbs 10:4‐5, 6:6‐11)
  • Serve each other in humility and brotherly kindness (Philippians 2:3‐11, 5:21 and 2 Peter 1:7)
  • Treat others as you want to be treated (Matt. 7:12, Luke 10:27b)
  • Deal with others in love and forgiveness (John 15:9‐14, Colossians 3:12‐14, Mark 11:25‐26)
  • Practice love and respect in your marriage (Eph. 5:22‐23, Colossians 3:18‐19)
  • Don’t exasperate your children (Colossians 3:21, Eph. 6:4)

If you are abiding in Christ, then doing what is right will be the fruit that naturally comes from your life (John 15:1‐8). Otherwise it can be intimidating, and even discouraging, to look at a list of commands and try to accomplish them in your own strength. Remember, obedience is about expressing love to God, and love is a matter of the heart. When your heart changes, your outward actions are sure to follow.

Our Response

“You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him;
and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice,
serve Him, and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:4, NASB

For Christians who have developed the discipline of studying the Bible, it is important to not just seek knowledge. The Pharisees showed us what happens to a person who has religious knowledge, without spiritual transformation and heart‐felt obedience. We must not only study and hear the Word of God, we must also do what it says. James says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, NIV 1984)

Obedience isn’t always easy, but we have been given a Helper who will enable us to do what is right, and we will reap blessings for our obedience (Luke 11:28, James 1:25, Psalm 112:1)!

Digging Deeper

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”
Psalm 119:111‐112, NIV 1984

The Bible is overflowing with verses about obedience (and the blessings that follow for God’s
children). Spend some time right now soaking up what it truly means to live according to His
Word.

  • I John 5:3
  • Psalm 119
  • I Samuel 15:22‐23
  • Job 23:10‐12
  • Psalm 19:7‐11
  • James 1:22‐25