OBEDIENCE

In simple terms, obedience is compliance with an order, request, law or submission to authority.

We see in Philippians 2:8 that even Jesus showed obedience to death and death on the cross.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
death even death on a cross” hence why the bible stresses it an essential part of the Christian
faith.

Mathew 16:24 teaches us that as Christians, the fact that we deny ourselves from many
worldly desires and choose to follow Christ, that is obedience. “Then Jesus said to his
disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross
and follow me.”

The book of John 14:15, reminds us that through obeying the 10 commandments, we show
our love for Jesus. “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Jesus also tells us in John 14:23 that in the same act of love for him, we must comply with
whatever God has commanded for it is our duty to do so.

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and
we will come to them and make our home with them.”

However, Jesus condemns hypocrisy in the act of obedience to the law. Speaking to the
Pharisees, he said that despite of our deeds, without Christ, even our best and most righteous
works are as “filthy rags”.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed
tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead
and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous
but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

As Christians, we are asked to obey the law of Christ which is the law of love as it is seen in
John 13:34. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another”

Jesus also asks us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves for this is the second greatest
commandment that he gave to his disciples.

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets
hang on these two commandments.”

In Galatians 6:2, we learn that when we love God and obey him, we naturally have love for
one another. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
Why obedience is important to God
In our daily life, we know that obedience is a very essential habit one should abide to in our
homes, workplaces and in the communities in which we live. In simple terms, obedience is
compliance with an order, request, law or submission to another’s authority.

The bible also talks a lot about obedience as it is seen in many scriptures.

Children are asked to obey their parents in Ephesians 6:1 as this is the right way to behave as
a child in a family. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”

In Colossians 3:18, Wives are also called upon to be submissive to their partners as this is
fitting with the lord. “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord”

Husbands too are asked to treat their wives with respect in 1peter 3:7 which says, “Husbands,
in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as
the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will
hinder your prayers”