Listening to God (heeding His Word) and obeying it are momentously important to God.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grieves his mother. (Pro 10:1 ISV)
A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. (Pro 13:1 ESV)
Listen, children, to your father’s instruction, and pay attention in order to gain understanding. 2 I give you sound teaching, so do not abandon my instruction. (Pro 4:1-2 ISV)
According to Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, a brief definition of biblical obedience is “to hear God’s Word and act accordingly.”
The only “instruction” that it is imperative for us to obey is God’s Word and God’s instructions.
What are the reasons for this? Let’s consider what the Bible says:
- Jesus tells us to obey. (Joh 14:15 ESV)
- Our obedience, as followers of Jesus Christ, flows from a heart full of thanksgiving for God’s gift of salvation and His gift of grace. (Rom 12:1 NLT)
- The Scriptures remind us repeatedly that God rewards obedience. (Gen 22:18 NLT; Lk 11:28 NKJV; Jas 1:22-25 NIV)
- When we obey God and His Word, we prove how much we love Him. (1 Joh 5:2-3 NASB; 2 Joh 1:6 NLT)
- The Old Testament says that “obedience is better than sacrifice.” In the Old Testament, God’s people were commanded to offer sacrifices to the Lord, but even then it was not supposed to take the place of obedience. (1 Sam 15:22)
- Jesus said in John 14:15 that if we love Him we will keep His commandments.
God bless you as you read, meditate and obey God’s Word!
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