Obedience, Love, and the Law of Christ: A Review of New Covenant Living

Digging Deeper

Live Obedience

Obedience is the natural expression of a life transformed by grace.  It flows from genuine saving faith, demonstrating your relationship with God and serving as your pathway for spiritual maturity and intimacy with Christ. Obedience is not a peripheral or optional addition to faith. Rather it is the outpouring of your love for Christ.  In John 14:15 Jesus declares love and obedience are inseparable: “If you love me, keep my commands.”  Later Jesus reinforces this in John 15:10 “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

Similarly, Jesus declares obedience as the mark of true discipleship.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  Matthew 7:21-23  The distinguishing mark is doing the Father’s will in obedience.

These passages are not describing sinless perfection, but rather a dedicated pattern of life. True believers are characterized by obedience, while false professors demonstrate persistent disobedience.  The parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-47 contrasts those who hear Jesus’ words and obey and those who hear but do not obey.  The solid foundation of the former will withstand judgement, while the latter practice foolishness.

Obedience is empowered by the Holy Spirit through the power of grace.  Obedience is not an exercise of self-effort to win God’s favor. Obedience is the Spirit’s work within you to will and act according to His will because God’s favor has already been given.  Such obedience becomes a delight.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”  Galatians 5:1   

Obedience leads to a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Father through Christ.  In John 14-23 Jesus declares: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”   This explains why some Christians have a deep understanding of God while others are spiritually shallow.   Bible knowledge alone does not suffice, unless the truth is applied.  Applied truth transforms you.  Mere studied truth leaves you unchanged.

Scripture constantly connects obedience with blessing as a part of God’s design.  James 1:25 confirms that “whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.”  Blessing comes not from just knowing the Word but from doing what it says.

Obedience and effective prayer are linked when your requests are aligned with God’s purposes.  John 15:7 promises: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  Remaining in Christ and His words in you imply obedience.  Your obedience need not be perfect, but it must be a persistent prayerful effort from a heart that desires what God desires.

Romans 12:1-2 describes this obedience: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  This surrendered obedience creates a symmetry between your action and His divine intention for you to participate in God’s own nature.  Afterall, this is part of your transformation into the image of Christ – part of your eternity to exhibit the radiance of His Righteousness.