Everything that we believe must be firmly established upon the written word of God. In our study on obedience we must ascertain how the writers of the Bible dealt with the subject rather than rely upon books and the lives of others.
From the very beginning of Creation we find that obedience was presented as a vital truth. Genesis 2:16-17 records God’s first command that man comply with His will, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”, but see how quickly man failed, “And He said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” (Genesis 3:11). God demanded obedience rather than faith, humility and worship, for in obeying Him Adam would have fulfilled these too. Obedience was the needful part. To have it or to reject it would determine man’s eternal destiny.
In the closing pages of the Holy Bible there is a reminder about from whence man has fallen and that only through obedience can the believer be permitted to eat of the Tree of Life, “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14
It is extremely clear that obedience to God’s word is not an option but a command. The first man, though perfect in every way, suffered the consequences of disobedience. His access to the Tree of Life (Eternal Life) was hindered. How is it that modern believers think that God winks at their downright rebellion against His word? Both Testaments speak of the fact that Divine mercy and eternal life are limited to those who trust and obey God. He has never changed His mind about the need for obedience, “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).
From Adam to the present day man continues to reject God’s call to obedience, thus His flaming sword remains in place so that man cannot gain access to eternal life, “So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24). It is through religion and good works that man especially tries to defy God and enter beyond the flaming sword, but rather than clothing himself with perfection wears the filthy robes of self-righteousness, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). Since a single act of disobedience brought about the Fall, it would take a one act of obedience on Christ’s part to obtain full access to God again, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19) ... “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8) ... “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Redemption is built solidly upon the foundation of obedience. Disobedience brought God’s wrath, and still does, but obedience brings restoration. There can be no salvation without obedience. Through Christ the believer has the privilege of a new start and to win the victory at the very place Adam fell. “And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us” (1 John 3:24).
The Scriptures teach that God expects and demands that His children comply with His commands and that even the slightest act of disobedience cannot be overlooked. Obedience is for our own good rather than simply a form of worship towards God. Obedience enables the believer to partake of the glorious rewards of the saints. “Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
In our next study we will look a little deeper into how the Old Testament presents the need for obedience.
Page created 2 June 2006