Topical Bible: Character of the Renewed Heart: Obedient

Bible > Topical > Character of the Renewed Heart

◄ Character of the Renewed Heart: Obedient ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of obedience is central to the Christian faith and is a defining characteristic of a renewed heart. In the Scriptures, obedience is not merely a matter of external compliance but is deeply rooted in the transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit. This transformation leads believers to willingly and joyfully submit to God's will, reflecting their love and reverence for Him.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of obedience as a response to God's grace and love. In the Old Testament, obedience is often linked to the covenant relationship between God and His people. Deuteronomy 11:1 states, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments." Here, obedience is portrayed as an expression of love for God, integral to maintaining a covenant relationship with Him.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect obedience. Philippians 2:8 describes Jesus as "being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's obedience is the ultimate model for believers, demonstrating that true obedience often involves self-sacrifice and submission to God's will, even in the face of suffering.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The renewed heart is characterized by a transformation that enables believers to obey God out of love rather than obligation. This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, who writes God's laws on the hearts of believers. Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Romans 8:4 , stating that "the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." The Spirit empowers believers to live in obedience, aligning their desires with God's will.

Obedience as an Act of Faith

Obedience is also an act of faith, demonstrating trust in God's wisdom and goodness. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "faith chapter," highlights numerous examples of individuals whose obedience was a testament to their faith. For instance, by faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance (Hebrews 11:8).

James 2:17 underscores the inseparable link between faith and obedience: "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Genuine faith naturally produces obedience, as believers trust in God's promises and act accordingly.

Obedience and Love

The renewed heart's obedience is motivated by love for God and others. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Obedience to these commandments is the fulfillment of the law, as love compels believers to act in ways that honor God and serve others.

In John 14:15 , Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This connection between love and obedience highlights that true obedience is not burdensome but is a natural outflow of a heart transformed by God's love.

Conclusion

The character of the renewed heart is marked by obedience, a response to God's grace and a reflection of His transformative work within. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are enabled to live in obedience, demonstrating their faith and love for God. Obedience is not merely a duty but a joyful expression of a heart aligned with God's will, seeking to honor Him in all things.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:112
I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always, even to the end.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 6:17
But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer Born of Compassion
... compassion, the kind born in a renewed heart, which is ... these multitudes stirred the
pity of His heart. ... striking attributes of the Divine character: "The Lord ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/x prayer born of compassion.htm

Forms Versus Character
... to drive the wheel of life, to build up character, to make ... of God, will spring up
in our renewed spirits as ... The will will bow where there is love in the heart. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/forms versus character.htm

Love's Logic
... to God is as natural to the renewed heart as love to ... fountain of the grace of love
in any man's heart. ... and marked the inimitable beauty of the character of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/loves logic.htm

A Call to Holy Living
... If you say you are regenerated, renewed, and sanctified ... Our Lord Jesus Christ's heart
was expansive and ... No depravity of character or poverty of condition must ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/a call to holy living.htm

Prayer and Obedience
... To infer it, is to slander the character of God. ... incident to the natural man removed,
but a heart which gladly ... But to declare that, after one is renewed by the ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ix prayer and obedience.htm

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in ...
... it to a more orderly, regular, obedient state. ... to others, and sink in their character
below those ... fruits and efficacious influences in a renewed heart and life ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse vii of the necessity.htm

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effect upon its victims,
filled ... the same power that gave life to the body had renewed the heart. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the ... and Christianity, and, like paganism,
misrepresenting the character of God ... is a broken and contrite heart, a humble ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the ... and Christianity, and, like paganism,
misrepresenting the character of God ... is a broken and contrite heart, a humble ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

Modern Revivals.
... His heart must be renewed by divine ... It is a mirror which shows the perfection of
a righteous character, and enables him to discern the defects in his own. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /27 modern revivals.htm