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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
The word obey has become a four letter word in today’s society. Whether as a result of rebellion, a lack of understanding or little faith in those asking us to obey; we hesitate many times even to accept advice or direction.
What does it mean to be obedient? It can mean simply carrying out an order but many times it means to be guided by advice that has the advantage of having been tried before and shown to work. Is there a difference? Taking advice leaves the option of doing or not doing; listening to the experience of another and either doing in whole or in part, or rejecting that approach altogether. Obedience more strongly indicates a sense of doing because you’ve been told to, out of respect or fear. But who should we trust to obey? Certainly God and godly parents. How about the police, our elders, the boss at work? What about politicians, judges, lawyers, preachers, doctors, coaches, teachers? That’s a lot of people to listen to. How do I decide whose advice I should consider and who I should obey?
First and foremost many people love you, are concerned about you and want to help you succeed. They have been where you are and are aware of some of the pitfalls that abound. They have experience in what does and doesn’t work and want to share some of what they know. Others have been placed in positions of authority for the good of society. Certain rules and conditions have been proven to be good, better and best; others as antisocial, bad or evil. Some people have a difficult time deciding between the two or are determined to live contrary lives. There must be an over-riding authority to guide us all, which has to be exercised a little more directly with some people than others.
Who does the Bible say we should obey? “Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands…” Deuteronomy 27:10 The Apostle John equating obedience as the true expression of our love for God. ( 1 John 5:3 & 2:3-6) We are likewise warned to “…not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” Psalm 1:1 In other words, ‘Don’t hang out with the wrong crowd!’ On the other hand, we are told that, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 And “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 Most of the time the difference is self-evident. The Proverb writer promising, “…if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, …then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 (See Proverbs 24:3,4)
The wisdom and knowledge found in God’s word is the place to start on our journey and should likewise have the final say in all we do. In it we are instructed to submit ourselves to the governing authorities, instituted by God as a means of maintaining peace and order in society ( Romans 13:1), but we must always heed the ringing declaration of Peter recorded in Acts 5:29. “We must obey God rather than men!” Even in family relationships, we must choose Christ first ( Matthew 10:37); while being careful to honor our fathers and mothers. ( Deuteronomy 5:16 & Ephesians 6:2)
One thing we must avoid that has become popular today is obedience by degree; splitting hairs, looking for loop-holes, obeying in part. Which is nothing new. The Jewish sacrificial system, meant to highlight God’s goodness and man’s need of forgiveness, became an end in itself rather than that which pointed men to God and a lifestyle of righteousness. They were told to offer sacrifices, which were meant to mirror the sacrificer; but it became superficial, taking the place of genuine obedience. It’s not a contradiction for Hosea to proclaim for God, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings. “ Hosea 6:6 Nor for Micah to declare, “He has showed, you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 Jesus was still preaching on this subject years later, explaining to all who would listen the priority of a just lifestyle “…, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother;” Matthew 5:23 After a recognition of sin, there is an expectation of our making it right. Nor can we expect God to wink at our sins as a result of our tithes or gifts, bribing our way into his good grace. How could he accept a gift of gratitude from us when we are intentionally or carelessly living ungraciously toward others?
Can church attendance become a substitute for true worship and a righteous lifestyle? Do we do just enough to get by, only what we have to instead of all we can? God is very direct in his response to this. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” and “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love,” John 14:15 & 15:10 The reasons for obedience are at times obvious, at other times not so much. Often there are specific reasons, sometimes merely because God says so. But we don’t like that, we want to know beforehand why and how this is going to work. Sometimes that’s not possible; often because we haven’t matured to the point where we can see and understand. That’s where faith and the habit of obedience come in. Through these we develop confidence and ability to see that obedience breeds success; that God and godly advisers aren’t going to steer us wrong. We may never fully understand some things because of the differences between us and God; He himself declaring “…my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” Is. 55:8 Contenting ourselves with understanding all we can while leaving the rest to Him. (See Is. 55:6-11)
Jesus set the supreme example of God’s grace and loving provision. Furthermore, he never asked anything of us he wasn’t willing to do himself. We are asked to die to sin, to learn self-control, committing ourselves to serving our fellowman in obedience to God. Which is the proper response to Jesus becoming the death of sin, our substitute in death for sin. Our “…attitude (becoming) the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… and became obedient to death.” Philippians 2:5-8 (See also Matthew 26:39)
Check back next week for Old and New Testament examples of the benefits of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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