Obedience to God

Obedience to God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the relationship between the Creator and His creation. It is an act of faith and trust, demonstrating a believer's commitment to God's will and commandments. The Berean Standard Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on this subject.

In the Old Testament, obedience is often linked with blessings and prosperity. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 states, "See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: a blessing if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, but a curse if you disobey the commandments of the LORD your God and turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."

The account of Abraham is a profound example of obedience. In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's willingness to obey, even in such a difficult command, exemplifies his faith and trust in God. As a result, God provides a ram as a substitute and reaffirms His covenant with Abraham.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ emphasizes obedience as a demonstration of love for God. In John 14:15 , Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This statement underscores the connection between love and obedience, suggesting that true devotion to God is expressed through adherence to His teachings.

The Apostle Paul also addresses obedience in his epistles. In Romans 6:16 , he writes, "Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, leading to death, or to obedience, leading to righteousness?" Here, Paul contrasts obedience to sin with obedience to God, highlighting the transformative power of following God's will.

Obedience to Government

The Bible also addresses the believer's relationship with earthly authorities, advocating for obedience to government as an extension of obedience to God. This principle is rooted in the understanding that all authority is established by God.

Romans 13:1-2 provides a foundational text on this topic: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage suggests that obedience to government is a divine mandate, as long as it does not conflict with God's higher law.

The Apostle Peter echoes this sentiment in 1 Peter 2:13-14 : "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right." Peter emphasizes submission to authority as a testimony to one's faith and a means of maintaining order and justice.

However, the Bible also acknowledges situations where obedience to God must take precedence over obedience to human authorities. In Acts 5:29 , Peter and the apostles declare, "We must obey God rather than men," when commanded by the Sanhedrin to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. This instance illustrates the priority of divine commands over human laws when the two are in conflict.

In summary, the Bible presents a balanced view of obedience, encouraging believers to honor God through their actions and to respect earthly authorities as part of their spiritual duty, while maintaining allegiance to God's ultimate authority.