8454 obedience, to God

A willingness to submit oneself to the will of God and to put it into effect. Scripture emphasises the necessity for God’s laws to be followed, gives examples and reasons, and describes the rewards.

Obedience is demanded of God’s people

Lev 25:18; 1Sa 15:22 See also Dt 26:16; Dt 32:46; Ro 6:16-18; 1Pe 1:14-16

Examples of obedience in the OT Jos 11:15 See also Ge 6:22; Ge 12:1-4; Ge 22:2-3; Ex 40:16; Jnh 3:3

The example of Jesus Christ Mt 26:39 pp Mk 14:36 pp Lk 22:42 Jn 14:31 See also Jn 17:4; Ro 5:19; Php 2:8; Heb 5:8

Jesus Christ is obeyed

By the wind and the waves Mt 8:26-27 pp Mk 4:39-41 pp Lk 8:24-25

By evil spirits Mk 1:27 pp Lk 4:36

Obedience and love

Jn 14:15; 1Jn 5:3 See also Ps 119:167; 1Jn 2:5; 1Jn 3:10; 2Jn 6

Obedience and faith

Heb 11:8; Mt 7:21 Obedience to the will of God demonstrates the reality of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ. See also Ro 1:5; Jas 2:14-26

God rewards those who obey him

Ex 19:5; Jn 15:10 See also Dt 5:29; 1Ki 3:14; 2Ki 18:5-7; Mt 7:21,24-25 pp Lk 6:47-48; Mt 12:50 pp Mk 3:35 pp Lk 8:21; Jn 12:26; Jn 14:21,23; Jn 21:4-6; 1Jn 2:17

Obedience to the word of God

Mt 7:24-27; Jas 1:22 See also Ps 119:9-11; Jnh 3:3; Lk 11:28; Jn 17:6; Jas 2:14-20

Examples of people who obeyed God

Ge 6:9 Noah Abraham: Ge 12:1-4; Ge 17:23 The psalmist: Ps 119:30,100-106 The apostles: Ac 4:19-20; Ac 5:29
Php 3:7-14 Paul

See also