Obedience is much more than merely doing what someone asks us to do. Such an ‘obedience’ would be called obedience in true sense. The dictionary meaning fits this view perfectly – “compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.” All that is defined here is “compliance” “submission” and “authority.”
The biblical concept of obedience is much deeper and much more than merely submitting and complying to some authority or law. Here under are a few references from the Bible to help us see how the LORD defies obedience.
– John 14:15 – If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
– 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
– Isaiah 1:19 – “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;”
– Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
Christian obedience is out of love and an eager willingness to do what our LORD and Master wants us to do. It is an act out of love, out of deep respect and wilful compliance. The LORD being good, gracious and merciful, has made obedience to Him, the way for our transformation and for our blessing. Dallas Willard says, “Spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness in not going to happen unless we act… What transforms us is the will to obey Jesus Christ.”
Let us learn to obey the LORD willingly and out of love, as desired. This is for our good. Let us not be like those unwilling and grudgingly obedient Hebrews in the wilderness. May the LORD help us to be truly obedient to our LORD.
"Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love."