In my previous post,obedience in general the focus was on general aspects of obedience.For Christian believers, obedience is a fundamental aspect of their faith, serving as a cornerstone of their relationship with God. It isn’t just a general concept; it’s a specific response rooted in God’s love and grace, as revealed through Jesus Christ. Obedience for believers is a spiritual discipline that stems from a regenerated heart, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s a key part of sanctification, the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. Let’s look through the eyes of what some Christian scholars have to say about obedience.
Insights from Christian Authors
A.W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God, emphasizes that true obedience flows from a heart captivated by God’s holiness and beauty. He stresses that a deep, intimate relationship with God is the foundation of genuine obedience.
John Piper, in Desiring God, connects obedience with joy. His concept of “Christian Hedonism” suggests that our greatest joy is found in obeying God. This obedience flows naturally from a heart that delights in Him and His ways.
John Stott, in his book The Radical Disciple, views obedience as a fundamental aspect of discipleship. He makes it clear that being a disciple means “we let Jesus set the agenda of our lives. We aren’t selective.” Stott links obedience to the confession of “Jesus is Lord,” stating that to confess him as Lord but not obey him is to build one’s life on a foundation of sand.
J.I. Packer in his book Knowing God, emphasizes that obedience is a natural outflow of a relationship with God. He writes, “We are only living truly human lives just so far as we are laboring to keep God’s commandments; no further.” He views obedience not as a burden but as a joyful response to knowing God and His character.
John MacArthur is a proponent of “Lordship Salvation,” which argues that genuine faith in Christ includes a submission to His authority as Lord, which then results in a life marked by obedience. A lack of obedience, in his view, indicates a lack of true saving faith.
Despite their different points of emphasis, Tozer, Piper, Stott, Packer, and MacArthur all converge on a central truth: Christian obedience is inextricably linked to a true, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s not a means to earn salvation but a natural and necessary response to it. For the believer, it is a joyful expression of love, a foundational aspect of discipleship, and the clear evidence of a heart transformed by God’s grace. It is the inevitable fruit of genuine faith, demonstrating that we truly know and love the God we claim to serve. Let’s then look further for our understanding.
What is christian obedience?
Here’s the beautiful, life-altering truth, “Obedience”—submission to God is walking in step with Him. It is a thread woven throughout the Bible.
- It is a vibrant, dynamic, and joyful relationship.
- It’s not dragging your feet under the weight of duty.
- It’s a spontaneous, joyful overflow of gratitude.
- It is a heartfelt response to grace.
- It’s a continuous process of harmonizing with God.
- It’s not a chain, but a dance of freedom and love.
- It’s walking in step with the God who loves us.
In conclusion, the core of discussion is;
- True obedience is rooted in knowing God’s heart
- We come to understand God’s desires and purposes through His Word, the Bible. This is about more than just reading; it’s about seeking to truly know Him.
- True obedience is Trusting HIS character
- We trust that God is good and that His ways are best. This trust, represented by the Greek word peithō (πείθω), involves being persuaded of God’s goodness and submitting to His authority.
- True obedience is Living in Alignment
- Out of love and trust, we choose to live in a way that reflects our commitment to God. This active obedience is related to the Greek word hypakouō (ὑπακούω), meaning “to hear and obey.”
In this post we have briefly touched the meaning of Christian Obedience. As we move on please note that we have six different subtitles, each of the subtitles have its own series of posts. Please take some time to browse. We will appreciate your comments. Let’s meet in the next post.
May the Lord Shine His face upon you.
