I admit it is tough to always be obedient. I have a rebellious streak in me.
The Bible has much to say about obedience. In fact, obedience is an essential part of the the disciple’s faith.
Jesus Himself was “obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
For the disciples, the act of taking up our cross and following the Messiah (Matthew 16:24) means obedience. The Bible says that we show our love for Jesus by obeying Him in all things: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
Yikes! A disciple who is not obeying the Messiah’s commands can rightly be asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Obedience — The example of Jesus the Messiah
I want to learn how to be obedient. Jesus is my example. Obedience is a willingness to submit myself to the will of God and to put it into effect. Scripture emphasizes the necessity for the commandments of Jesus to be followed, gives examples and reasons, and describes the rewards.
There is a concept of being a slave. You only have one Master. Jesus is clear on this when he says you can’t be a slave to God and money (aka wealth). Jesus drives the point home in many places. Being a slave is different from being a servant.
- Matthew 26:39 — And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
- John 14:31 — “But so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.”
- John 17:4 — “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”
- Romans 5:19 — For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
- Philippians 2:8 — Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
- Hebrews 5:8 — Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
It is so difficult I don’t even claim ot obey only my willngness to do so and fail anyway. Personally, I feel that only Jesus can do it and in fact, I will never actually be any better than I am now. I am covered by the grace of Jesus and so even in my failure, I am saved. Thank God.
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It is a struggle. Thank God for His grace.
Blessings, grace and peace.
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Without the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, it is an impossible standard for us to follow. Thankful to Christ that He has not left us without His Spirit who is at work in us to both will and do God’s purpose! God bless you greatly, Michael!! 🙂
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Amen! Now that is a good word.
Blessings, peace and grace.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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I don’t understand that about Jesus learning obedience by his suffering. I can apply it to man (me) but my head can’t contain that Jesus had to suffer in order to obey. Help?
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Good morning. I think this is a tough one. Here is a resource with some good detail if that is helpful.
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/hebrews/5-8.htm
Even the author of Hebrews, a couple of verses later in Hebrews 5 says “Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain”. I agree! 🙂
My sense is that apparently obedience is learned. It is a part of the human condition. Jesus shows us how to be obedient and some of that comes from “suffering”.
The Amplified Bible says it this way: “Although He was a Son who had never been disobedient to the Father, He learned active, special obedience through what He suffered.”
The verse before (7) says: “In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both specific petitions and urgent supplications for that which He needed with fervent crying and tears to the One who was always able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will.”
Hope that helps.
Blessings, peace and grace.
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Thank you for taking my question seriously. I read a few of the commentaries. Your notes remind me to look at the setting. Seems to me it might be something like knowing something in one’s head or knowing it in one’s heart. I know I have learned about suffering during the times I suffer not just during the times I watch other suffer. Jesus had to walk the whole spectrum of life’s joys and sorrows to really identify in all things.
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