What other scriptures reinforce the importance of obedience to God's laws? The Call to Obedience in Leviticus 18:29 “Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people.” The verse is clear and uncompromising: persistent disobedience severs fellowship with God’s covenant community. Scripture never treats obedience as optional; it is the proof of genuine allegiance. Foundations of Obedience in the Torah • Exodus 19:5 — “Now if you indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.” • Deuteronomy 6:17 — “You must diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.” • Deuteronomy 28:1-2 — “Now if you will diligently obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the LORD your God.” • Joshua 1:8 — “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.” Historical Warnings and Blessings • 1 Samuel 15:22-23 — “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Obeying is better than sacrifice…” • Psalm 19:7-11 — The perfect Law revives the soul, makes wise the simple, enlightens the eyes, and offers great reward. • Isaiah 1:19-20 — “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” • Jeremiah 7:23 — “Obey My voice, and I will be your God… that it may go well with you.” • Ezekiel 18:9 — “He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My judgments… he will surely live.” Jesus Affirms and Deepens the Call • Matthew 5:17-19 — “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets… whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” • Matthew 7:21, 24-25 — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father… everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” • John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 15:10, 14 — “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love… You are My friends if you do what I command you.” The Apostolic Witness • Acts 5:29 — “We must obey God rather than men.” • Romans 2:13 — “Not the hearers of the Law are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.” • Romans 6:16 — “Obedience leads to righteousness.” • 1 Corinthians 7:19 — “What matters is keeping God’s commandments.” • 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 — Every thought is taken captive “to make it obedient to Christ.” • Hebrews 5:9 — Christ is “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” • 1 Peter 1:14-16 — “As obedient children… be holy in all you do.” • 1 John 2:3-4 — “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.” • 1 John 3:24 — “The one who keeps God’s commandments remains in Him.” • 1 John 5:3 — “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” • Revelation 14:12 — The saints are those “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Key Takeaways • God’s expectations never shift: covenant blessing is tied to obedient hearts. • Old Testament law, prophetic exhortation, and New Testament teaching speak with one voice. • Obedience is not mere rule-keeping; it is love in action, the evidence of genuine faith, and the pathway to life and blessing. |
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