The "Why" of Christian Obedience
Why are we to do what God tells us to do?
To avoid eternal death?
No! Praise God! None of us obey perfectly. Due to the suffering and death of Jesus, all believers receive eternal life!
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Reason 1: It is good for us here on earth.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
This passage speaks of the Law, which has a bit of a negative connotation, but I believe the giving of the Law was a loving act. Look at the situation when it was given. Israel had just been brought out of 400 years of slavery. These people did not know how to govern themselves, relate to one another, or relate to their God! The law was not given by a God who just wanted to watch His people jump through hoops. It is a guide given by the God who IS love on how to live so that your life goes well for you.
Can we afford to ignore God's Book? Think of buying a new car. In the glove compartment, you will find an owner's manual. It is written by the people that designed the car to help you take the best possible care of the car. They know how to do that since they know everything there is to know about the car. "When do you change the oil?", "What kind of gas do you use?", and so on. What if you just throw this manual away and do things your own way? Say you decide to put water in the gas tank to save money? Do you have cause to get upset with the manufacturer when it does not run very well? Well, the Bible is the same way. It is written by our Maker, who also made the whole earth. Do not expect things to go well in any part of our lives, if we do not do what the Book says do. Think of the Bible as our owner's manual.
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Deuteronomy 28 (This chapter explains the blessings of obedience, in stark contrast to the 'curses' of disobedience)
Reason 2: To receive heavenly rewards.
While Jesus has earned for us the privilege of spending eternity with God, He does teach that there are heavenly rewards (in addition to just being there) based upon actions here on earth.
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Reason 3: We have been entrusted with the riches of God.
Do we want to keep the blessings God has given to us? Most of us would say, Yes! Those who do not follow the directions of the owner of property tend to lose the opportunity and honor of managing that property.
Matthew 25:14-30 (excerpts) "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. Then the man who had received the one talent came. I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' His master replied, 'You should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.'
These first three reasons may seem selfish, so do not misunderstand. Remembering that God looks at our hearts, we should not consider only purely selfish reasons for being obedient. Be obedient for the reasons that follow, but rest in His assurance that as you follow Him, He will provide for your needs, and more!
Reason 4: We obey to set an example for others.
We are called to make disciples, to have others follow us. Therefore we must model the behavior that we want others to follow. This is particularly important in the process of raising kids.
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
Reason 5: Everything belongs to God.
We naturally want to take good care of things lent to us by friends. God is our friend and the lender of all we have.
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Reason 6: To show our thankfulness to God
Our God has given us all things, including salvation through Jesus Christ! What should our response be? We are enjoined throughout the Bible to be thankful to God, and one of the ways to show gratitude to God is to do what He wants.
Psalm 107:8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
WORSHIP Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
WORKS 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 4:15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
WITNESS 1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
FELLOWSHIP Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reason 7: To show our love for God.
What is the difference between thanksgiving and love? Thanksgiving is based upon what God has given us, and love is based upon who God is. Would you still glorify God if he took away His blessings? Then you love Him for who He is.
John 14:15 [Jesus said,] If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Job (Job lost everything he had, but he remained true to God.)
Mark 12:29-30 "The most important [commandment]," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
Habakkuk 3:17-18: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Would you like to know the Savior deeply? Would you like to know Him as a Friend, just as Abraham and Moses and the disciples did? Then, hold His hand and live a trusting, obedient lifestyle. Seek Him by doing His will. There is much joy in working side-by-side with the Lord. Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."