Which New Testament teachings reinforce the importance of obeying God's commands? \The Old Testament Echo That Sets the Stage\ Ezekiel 20:16 warns that God’s people “rejected My ordinances, refused to walk in My statutes, and profaned My Sabbaths. For their hearts continually went after their idols.” Disobedience led to judgment, showing that God takes His commands seriously. The New Testament picks up this same theme and presses it home to every follower of Jesus. \Jesus Links Love and Obedience\ • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 14:23-24 – Love for Christ is proven by doing what He says; refusal exposes unbelief. • John 15:10 – Remaining in His love means keeping His commands, just as He obeyed the Father. • Matthew 7:21-23 – Calling Him “Lord” is empty without doing the Father’s will. • Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” • Matthew 28:20 – The Great Commission ends with “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus never treats obedience as optional; it is the natural overflow of genuine love and saving faith. \The Apostles Carry the Same Banner\ • Romans 6:17-18 – Believers “became obedient from the heart” and were set free from sin. • Hebrews 5:9 – Jesus “became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • 1 John 2:3-6 – Knowing God is verified when we “keep His commandments.” • 1 John 5:2-3 – Love for God is defined as “keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.” • 2 John 6 – “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” • Revelation 14:12 – The saints are those “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” From Paul to John to James, obedience marks true discipleship. \Obedience: Evidence of Saving Faith\ • Faith that saves always produces works that obey (James 2:17-26). • Grace trains us “to deny ungodliness” and live godly lives (Titus 2:11-14). • Good works are prepared in advance for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:8-10). A heart transformed by the gospel cannot remain indifferent to God’s directives. \Walking in the Spirit Enables Obedience\ • Romans 8:4 – The righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled “in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” • Galatians 5:16-25 – The Spirit empowers obedience and produces fruit that accords with God’s character. • Philippians 2:12-13 – We “work out” our salvation because God is already “working in” us to will and to act. God supplies the desire and the power, so obedience becomes joyful partnership rather than grim duty. \Living Lessons for Today\ – Ezekiel’s warning stands: rejecting God’s statutes leads to loss and discipline. – Jesus and the apostles confirm that authentic faith is inseparable from obedience. – Love for Christ, life in the Spirit, and gratitude for grace all flow into a lifestyle that eagerly says, “Speak, Lord—Your servant is listening… and obeying.” |
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