Topical Bible: Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Voice

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Introduction:
Obedience to God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the relationship between the Creator and His creation. It is an act of faith and trust, demonstrating a believer's commitment to God's will and commands. Obedience is not merely about following rules but is deeply rooted in love and reverence for God.

Biblical Foundation:
The concept of obedience is introduced early in the Scriptures. In Genesis, God commands Adam and Eve to obey His instructions regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). Their disobedience leads to the fall, illustrating the consequences of straying from God's commands.

Obeying His Voice:
Listening to and obeying God's voice is a recurring exhortation in the Bible. In Deuteronomy 28:1-2, the Israelites are promised blessings if they "diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments." This passage underscores the importance of heeding God's voice as a pathway to divine favor and prosperity.

The prophet Samuel emphasizes that obedience is more valuable than ritual sacrifices: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). This highlights that God desires a heart that listens and responds to His guidance over mere religious observance.

Examples of Obedience:
Numerous biblical figures exemplify obedience to God. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18) demonstrates profound faith and submission to God's will. His obedience is later commended in Hebrews 11:8, where it is said, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance."

Moses, despite initial reluctance, obeys God's call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3-4). His life is marked by continual obedience, even in the face of great challenges.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate model of obedience. Philippians 2:8 states, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." His obedience to the Father’s will is the foundation of salvation for humanity.

The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to obey God. Ezekiel 36:27 promises, "And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." The Spirit empowers and guides believers, helping them to discern and follow God's voice.

Consequences of Disobedience:
The Bible also warns of the consequences of disobedience. In Deuteronomy 28:15, it is written, "But if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you." Disobedience leads to separation from God and the loss of His blessings.

Conclusion:
Obedience to God is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, reflecting a heart aligned with His purposes. It involves listening to His voice, following His commands, and trusting in His wisdom. Through the examples of biblical figures and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to live lives marked by faithful obedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 7:23
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people: and walk you in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Voice of Stern Rebuke
... And in the same tender recognition Christ includes even the feeblest ... In obedience
to the command, "Elijah went to show himself ... "As the Lord thy God liveth," he ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 10 the voice of.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... petulant dog had been yielding obedience to a ... a petulance manifestly directed against
God, are undeserving of ... the order of Divine Providence includes all good ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

God's Restraining Power.
... of the Spirit, wished to break away from obedience to His ... it was through law and
order that God, in His ... else, but love, that produces and includes both, has no ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xii gods restraining power.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... his creatures, but all the devout obedience of men ... who, worshipping himself,
says,""no God." The first ... the idolater, of whatever class; includes that, instead ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... Obedience is the organ of knowledge in the soul. ... God's will includes His plan
for a world, and for each life in the world. Both concern us. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm

Home-Government.
... This relation includes the principles of home-government. ... fears because he loves;
and is prompted to obedience by both ... grave, and up to the bar of God with the ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

Sirs, what must I do to be Saved? and they Said, Believe on the ...
... And this reason includes both the obedience of Christ to the ... but we have the benefits
of his obedience, by the ... as the sum and substance of all God's favors to ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/sirs what must i do.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... is, that the Covenant of God, under each dispensation, includes in it ... In this
dispensation, the blessings of God's favour are offered, and obedience to the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

The Lone Man who Went Before
... means; not suffering merely, though it includes suffering; not ... Obedience is the active
rhythm of love on the street ... much is meant by the sentence, "God is love ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the lone man who went.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... balls, and the like, they find their highest pleasure in obeying God. ... the particular
exercise may be, if it includes obedience of heart to God on any ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm