To hear God's Word and act accordingly. The word translated "obey" in the Old Testament means "to hear" and is often so translated. In the New Testament, several words describe obedience. One word means "to hear or to listen in a state of submission." Another New Testament word often translated "obey" means "to trust."

• The person's obedient response to God's Word is a response of trust or faith. Thus, to really hear God's Word is to obey God's Word (Ex. 19:5; Jer. 7:23).
• The Bible views disobedience as a failure to hear and do God's Word (Ps. 81:11). Israel's story was one of a nation who failed to hear or to listen to God (Jer. 7:13; Hos. 9:17). Jesus warned: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matt. 11:15).
• How does obedience affect one's spiritual life? Obedience is essential to worship (1 Sam. 15:22; John 4:23-24). The obedience of faith brings about salvation (Rom. 1:5, 10:16-17). Obedience secures God's blessings (John 14:23; 1 John 2:17; Rev. 22:14). Spiritual insight is gained through obedience (John 7:17). A life of obedience to God is the fruit of faith (Jas. 2:21-26).
• True obedience means imitating God in holiness, humility, and love (1 Pet. 1:15; John 13:34; Phil. 2:5-8). True disciples do the will of God (Mat. 7:21). Facing clashing claims for one's allegiance, the Christian obeys God rather than other persons (Acts 5:29).
• What motivates us to obey God? Obedience springs from gratitude for grace received (Rom. 12:12). Christians obey God as an expression of their spiritual freedom (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16). Jesus taught that our love for God motivates us to obey Him (John 14:21, 23, 24; 15:10).
• How does obedience affect our relationships with others? The Bible speaks of obedience from the wife to the husband (Eph. 5:22), from children to their parents (Eph. 6:1), from slaves to masters (Col. 3:22). Obedience with joy should be shown to church leaders (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Obedience is expected from all Christians to persons in authority (1 Pet. 2:13-14).
• The New Testament places special emphasis on Jesus' obedience. Christ's obedience stands in contrast to Adam's disobedience (Rom. 5:12-21). A desire to obey the will of God motivated Jesus' actions (Luke 4:43; John 5:30). Jesus acted and spoke only as the Father directed (John 3:34). By living a life of obedience, Jesus showed Himself to be the Savior (Heb. 5:7-10). Christ's work on the cross is viewed as a sacrifice of obedience (Rom. 5:19; Heb. 10:7-10).
• God has spoken in the Scriptures. Disobedience to God's Word comes from a sinful heart--a heart that will not trust God. Obedience comes from a heart that trusts God. If God's people obey Him, they find the blessings He yearns to give. If they disobey, believers receive judgment and necessary discipline.
  Gary Hardin

1. (Rom 1:5 NIV) Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

2. (Rom 5:19 NIV) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

   Notes:
   made righteous. A reference to a standing (status) before God (see 2 Cor. 5:21), not to a change in character. The latter (the doctrine of sanctification) is developed in Romans chapters 6-8.

3. (Rom 6:16 NIV) Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

   Notes:
   The contrast between sin and obedience suggests that sin is by nature disobedience to God.

4. (Rom 16:19 NIV) Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

   Notes:
   wise about what is good. Christians are to be experts in doing good.

5. (Rom 16:26 NIV) but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—

   Notes:
   revealed and made known through the prophetic writings. (Rom 1:2 NIV) the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. all nations. The universe of the gospel (see Matthew 28:19)

6. (2 Cor 7:15 NIV) And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.

7. 2 Cor 10:5-6 NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

   Notes:
   every thought……obedient to Christ. The center of man’s being thus becomes fully subject to the lordship of Christ.

8. (Phile 1:21 NIV) Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

9. (Heb 5:8 NIV) Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

   Notes:
   he learned obedience from what he suffered. He was made “perfect” (verse 9) through suffering. Christ had not been made morally or spiritually imperfect, but his incarnation was completed (perfected) when he experienced suffering. He identified with us on the deepest level of anguish, and so became qualified to pay the price for our sinful imperfections and to become our sympathetic high priest.

10. (1 Pet 1:2 NIV) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

    Notes:
    chosen. Divine election is a constant theme in Paul’s letters . It is emphasized in the following ways: (a) “he chose us” (here); (b) “he predestined us”; (c) “we were also chosen”; (d) “having been predestined”. forknowledge. Some insist that the knowledge here is not abstract but is couched in love and mixed with purpose. They hold that God not only knew us before we had any knowledge of him but he also knew us, in the sense of choosing us by grace, before the foundation of the world (see 2Titus 1:9 and notes). Others believe that Paul here refers to the fact that in eternity past God knew those who by faith would become his people. Father…..Spirit…..Jesus Christ. All three persons of the trinity are involved in the redemption of the elect.sanctifying work. The order of the terms employed suggests that the sanctifying work of the Spirit referred to here is the influence of the Spirit that draws one from sin toward holiness. Peter says it is “for” (or “to”) obedience and sprinkling of Christ’s blood, i.e., the Spirits sanctifying leads to obedient saving faith and cleansing from sin. obedience to Jesus Christ. God’s choice or election is designed to bring this about. sprinkling of His blood. The benefits of Christ’s redemption are applied to his people.

    Researched by Terry Crutcher