Obedience

The idea of writing about the topic of Obedience seemed a little strange. But the more I asked people their initial thoughts on it, the more I realised how ‘obedience’ is perhaps seen as childish, restrictive and generally a negative thing. Many Christians see ‘obedience’ as lawful, while they see a life of faith in one in which there is freedom. For others ‘obedience to God’ is seen as living a mundane life guarded by with rules and regulations (perhaps they see others living this way). This blog hopes to briefly challenge these ideas, and show that true obedience is a simple truth and act of the heart, which leads to a life which looks very different to the ideas above. So, to look at ‘obedience’ meaningfully but swiftly, we will ask “what is obedience?”, “why should we obey?”, and finally, “how do we obey?”. 

What is Obedience?

The best examples of obedience and disobedience are both found in gardens. In these Gardens we see the destabilising, disorienting, and destructive nature of disobedience being painted in total contrast with the unifying, restorative, saving results of obedience. 

The Garden of Eden was the stage upon which the first act of disobedience occurred, this was essentially a doubting of the character of God and a centralisation of man’s will over God’s. The purpose of the Garden of Eden was to provide a place for man to cultivate the earth and enjoy relationship with God. However, man rejected God’s rule and ultimately faced the consequences for this -death. Perhaps many are at a similar point in this ‘garden’ - leaving the rule of God and entering into a world where they feel like they can be in control. Perhaps they see that rejection of God’s rule is where true freedom in found, in self-governing and total ‘autonomy’. 

This idea of self-governing, while it may seem popular, it is a myth. The Bible teaches that you are either a child of God or a slave to sin. If then that is me, it may seem like the decisions I make are by my own volition, but in reality I am blinded from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Jesus (2 Cor 4:4). In other words, saying that God’s laws and love does not affect me, does not change the reality of situation. The ‘freedom’ found in rejecting God is simply not freedom because true freedom should lead to life, and according to Romans, the consequences of ‘freedom’ to live without God leads to an eternity without him.

What happened in Eden did not spell the end for us. There is a greater garden then Eden. Against Eden, The Garden of Gethsemane stands in stark contrast. It is in this garden that Jesus cried, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done”. In submitting to the Father’s will, he provided a way in which the curse of Eden could be broken. A way back to the original intent of Eden - relationship with God. Its in this relationship that the fullness of life can be found.

It is in Jesus’ obedience, that we can find our definition and pattern of obedience, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8). As a friend said, “Our standard of obedience is Christ's death on the cross. It is in that standard of obedience we are called to follow.” This pattern of obedience is a humbling of ‘self’ which recognises that my convenience and my desires are secondary to entrusting myself to the will of the Father.

As we will discuss later, the Gospel is all about Jesus. Jesus restores us back to that perfect relationship with God. God is a good Father and his intentions for us are good, they might be difficult, but they are good. This being the case, then our greatest fulfilment and greatest freedom is found in humbling ourselves, holding our lives out with open hands, and committing ourselves to the will of the Father. The Garden of Gethsemane then is where we all should be, its within this Garden that true freedom is expressed and experienced, in saying “not my will, but yours be done”, Jesus was totally committing himself to the will of the Father. Obedience may not be convenient, easy, or straightforward, but it is essential, Biblical, and God Exalting.

Why should we obey?

Obedience then is not about making ourselves more righteous, or being “better Christian” - that is not just a ineffective gospel, it’s a false gospel.  This sort of “gospel” is seen in the garden of Eden, where man’s will is centralised over God’s. Rather, the true Gospel is all about Jesus. Its in true biblical obedience and the true Gospel that we find Jesus as the centre. Why is this so?

Firstly, Obedience is necessary because it is central to the Gospel. In Romans, we see that Paul makes this point explicit. In his introduction he gives an overview of the gospel. At the centre of this, he writes about receiving “grace” and “apostleship” to bring about “Obedience of faith”, which again is mirrored in his conclusion of his letter.

“Jesus Christ our Lord through whom 

we have received grace and apostleship 

to bring about the obedience of faith 

for the sake of his name among all the nations” (Romans 1:4-5)

This emphasis on “obedience” of “faith” shows that there is great unity between the two ideas. More importantly, however, we see obedience is attributed a central place and purpose in the Gospel. Its place and purpose is not found in us or our obedience, rather in Jesus. Paul makes clear it is through and for Jesus that we are able to obey and able to enjoy the promises and fulfilment that comes with this. 

The second reason for obedience is that through this obedience God is glorified. How? Firstly, Obedience shows that God is praiseworthy. Our obedience does not make God praiseworthy, but by living in obedience we are proclaiming his praiseworthiness. Secondly, Obedience shows that God's grace is a glorious power. This is so because even though we disobey, God shows us his amazing grace and love by continuing to give us opportunity to obey. 

How do we obey?

Abraham shows that obedience is by faith, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) This truth is essential to understand. Through obedience, our faith is put into action. How so? Essentially, by saying “not my will, but yours be done”, we are sacrificing our motives, conveniences, and desires, and recognising that God’s plan for our lives is far greater and better than anything I can try and achieve. We can say then that “Obedience is better than sacrifice” because genuine obedience is true sacrifice. 

Importantly, obedience can often be difficult. Its seems simple to write about, but in reality, its hard to work out in practice. This is why obedience requires trust and a willing, imperfect person. This is so because instead of trying to hold onto my all-sufficiency, pre-ordained plan for my life, and ability to meet all my needs…. wait no, instead of trying to hold onto what little I do have, I have to commit myself to God (note: I’m glad i don't have the pressure of all-sufficiency because I'm not all-sufficient and yet so much of the time I act as if I am). This is scary because my convenience may be compromised and my plans might not work out. Here, faith kicks in - i.e. “not my will, but yours be done”. This isn't blind though, in trusting God, I am trusting in the promises of the Bible. A particular favourite is Romans 15:13, which entails a beautiful promise and insight into what this trust looks like, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. Here, it is interesting to note that many of the things people seek and see as important to freedom, such as “peace”, “joy” and “hope”, are not found in us or our work, but rather in trusting God. Perhaps then, even just this verse can challenge some of the presupposition we have previously discussed. 

Conclusion

Maybe you think obedience is unnecessary; Maybe you are trying to live obediently, but its just law binding; or maybe you are learning to living in obedience through faith. 

I haven’t explicitly touched on specific ways to be obedient. The Bible gives a variety of commands and these are all worth applying and investigating, but the purpose of this jumble of words has been to look at what obedience really is, and where it begins and in doing so perhaps encourage myself and others, I hope, to reevaluate daily life, but also look beyond this into the future and prepare myself for when obedience might not seem as straightforward or simple. 

Perhaps then, living in a suburban, middle class estate might not be ‘obedience’ it might just be complacency. Going to university might seem reasonable, but that doesn’t mean going is ‘obedience’. Getting married might be an honourable thing, but it doesn't mean that for you being married is ‘obedience’. Accepting a promotion might be great, but that doesn't make it is ‘obedience’. ‘Stepping out in faith’ might seem bold, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is obedience. Doing ‘missions’ might be both daunting and exciting, but that doesn’t make it ‘obedience’. Perhaps, but maybe for some all these things are obedience. 

These things are easy to write, but often so hard to put into practice. How exactly obedience works out for you might be unclear or perhaps a challenge to come to terms with. Either way, the first step is a simple truth and act of the heart which Jesus cried in the Garden - its written in Scripture for all to see: we must all get to the place were we can truly say “not my will, but yours be done”.