Obedience
How important is obedience?
Ex 19:5; De 10:12, 13; Ec 12:13; Jas 1:22
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
1Sa 15:17-23—The prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for disobeying Jehovah; then Samuel stresses the importance of obedience
-
Heb 5:7-10—Although Jesus has always been a perfect Son of God, he learned to be obedient when being treated badly while on earth
-
What should a Christian do if a human authority asks him to disobey God?
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Da 3:13-18—Even at the risk of their life, three loyal Hebrews refuse to bow down to an image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar
-
Mt 22:15-22—Jesus explains that his followers obey the secular authorities unless such authorities ask them to disobey Jehovah God
-
Ac 4:18-31—Even when ordered by the authorities to stop, the apostles boldly continue to preach
-
What must we do if we are to obey Jehovah’s commandments consistently?
De 6:1-5; Ps 112:1; 1Jo 5:2, 3
See also Ps 119:11, 112; Ro 6:17
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Ezr 7:7-10—The faithful priest Ezra prepares his heart so that he can take the lead in obeying God’s Law and in teaching it to others
-
Joh 14:31—Jesus reveals why he does just as his Father commands him to do
-
What should motivate us to obey Jehovah and Jesus?
How does our obedience demonstrate our faith?
Ro 1:5; 10:16, 17; Jas 2:20-23
See also De 9:23
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Ge 6:9-22; Heb 11:7—Noah shows his faith by building an ark exactly as Jehovah commands, doing “just so”
-
Heb 11:8, 9, 17—Abraham demonstrates his faith by obeying Jehovah’s commands not only to leave Ur but also to offer up his own son
-
How does Jehovah bless obedience?
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Le 26:3-6—Jehovah promises to bless and care for those who obey him
-
Nu 13:30, 31; 14:22-24—Caleb shows an obedient spirit, and he receives Jehovah’s blessing as a result
-
To what does disobedience lead?
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Ge 2:16, 17; 3:17-19—Because they disobey Jehovah God, Adam and Eve lose out on Paradise, perfection, and everlasting life
-
De 18:18, 19; Ac 3:12, 18, 22, 23—Jehovah foretells the coming of the Prophet greater than Moses and reveals that disobeying that one will bring dire consequences
-
Jude 6, 7—The rebellious angels and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah incite Jehovah to anger because of their disobedience
-
Why should we obey Jesus Christ?
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Joh 12:46-48; 14:24—Jesus explains that failure to obey his words leads to adverse judgment
-
Why do Christians obey overseers in the congregation?
Why should a Christian wife be in subjection to her husband?
Why are children obedient to their parents?
-
Relevant Bible account(s):
-
Ge 37:3, 4, 8, 11-13, 18—Young Joseph obeys his father and travels to see his brothers even though they hate him
-
Lu 2:51—Jesus remains in subjection to Joseph and Mary even though he is perfect and his human parents are not
-
Why is it wise to obey a secular employer even when we are not being watched by others?
Why are Christians obedient to governments?