OBEDIENCE

by Howard N. Bunce

Obedience is doing what the Lord tells us to do. It has its negative as well as its positive force. We are told in His Word to “be” or “be not,” “let” or “let not,” “do” or “do not,” etc.

Obedience is most disagreeable if the heart is not in it. The will to do adds joy to the doing. Heart obedience is assured if the Lord has the heart. A delight to do, is the acme of perfect obedience.

While it may be a joy to obey, it is not always easy. When one wiIls to obey, many opposing forces arise to hinder. Cp. Rom. 7:21. The wilI of God is the standard of obedience and the entrance to knowledge. “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or I speak f rom myself” Jno. 7:17 (R.V.). How is it possible for any one to will to do His will? (1)--Hearing and Faith, which comes through the Word. Rom. 10:17. (2)--Self-presentation for obedience. Rom. 6:16. (3)--God working within us. Phil. 2:13.

Abraham is a striking example of faith and obedience. He understood that it was God’s will for him to go; and he went, not knowing where, Heb. 11:8. Obedience acknowledges the right of authority, and submits to it without question or complaint.

If we believe and love the Lord the question of obedience becomes automatically settled. Unless faith and love dominate, any attempted obedience is a travesty.

The Greek word translated “obedience” is a compound made up of HUPO, meaning “under” or “beneath,” and AKOUO, meaning “to hear.” Literally it is SUBMISSIVE HEARING.” This, then, would be action corresponding to the hearing. Do we hear with a willingness to act accordingly? God knows.

How willing are we to act in face of the following exhortations, admonitions and instructions:

“And be not fashioned according to this age” Rom. 12:2
“Let l ov e be without hypocrisy” Rom. 12:9
“Be not overcome of evil” Rom. 12:21
“Do all to the glory of God” 1 Cor. 10:31
“Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” Eph. 4:30
“Do all apart from murmurings and reasonings” Phil. 2:14
“Do not lie to one another” Col. 3:9
“Be not weary in well doing” 2 Thess. 3:13
“Be diligent to present thyself approved unto‘God” 2 Tim. 2:15

These texts are a few illustrations of many that are to be found in the Word of God dealing dealing directly with the matter of OBEDIENCE. It is impossibIe to be obedient in our own strength or wisdom. “Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him the glory . . .” Eph. 3:30.