Obedience to God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's actions and will with the commands and desires of the Almighty. The resolve to obey God is not merely a passive acceptance but an active, deliberate decision to follow His statutes and commandments.

Biblical Foundation

The call to obedience is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Shema, a foundational text for Israel, commands: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This love for God is expressed through obedience, as further emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:17: "You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has commanded you."

Examples of Resolved Obedience

1. Abraham: Abraham's life is a profound example of resolved obedience. In Genesis 22:2-3, God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Despite the personal cost, Abraham rises early the next morning to fulfill God's command, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to obey.

2. Joshua: Joshua's leadership is marked by a resolute commitment to God's law. In Joshua 1:7-8, God instructs him, "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go." Joshua's resolve is evident as he leads Israel in obedience to God's commands.

3. Daniel: In a foreign land, Daniel resolves to remain obedient to God despite external pressures. Daniel 1:8 states, "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way." His determination to uphold God's laws exemplifies steadfast obedience.

Teachings of Jesus

Jesus Christ, the ultimate model of obedience, underscores the necessity of obeying God. In John 14:15, He declares, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Jesus' own life was marked by perfect obedience to the Father, as seen in Philippians 2:8: "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

Apostolic Exhortations

The apostles continue this theme, urging believers to resolve upon obedience. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul appeals to the church: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves a deliberate choice to obey God's will.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resolve upon obedience. In Galatians 5:16, Paul instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The Spirit aids in aligning the believer's will with God's, enabling a life of obedience.

Consequences of Obedience

Scripture consistently links obedience to blessings. In Deuteronomy 28:1-2, God promises Israel, "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God." Conversely, disobedience leads to curses and separation from God.

Conclusion

The resolve to obey God is a fundamental aspect of the believer's life, requiring intentionality and reliance on divine strength. Through the examples of biblical figures, the teachings of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to a life of obedience, reflecting their love and devotion to God.Exodus 24:7
And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD has said will we do, and be obedient.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 24:24
And the people said to Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Notion of Inability.
... sinners and backslidden saints often make legal resolutions, and resolve upon obedience
under the ... conviction, purpose selfishly to do their duty to God and man ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxiii the notion of.htm

The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience.
... the morning watch may be in the life of one who makes a determined resolve to meet
God there; to renew the surrender to absolute obedience; humbly and ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/iv the morning watch in.htm

Relation vi. The Vow of Obedience to Father Gratian which the ...
... have been about a month after this my resolve was made ... I was already resolved upon,
to live under obedience to the ... now I had something I could do for God, I was ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/relation vi the vow of.htm

The Servant's Inflexible Resolve
... III. The basis of Christ's fixed resolve in filial confidence ... 'The Lord God will
help ... That confidence of divine help was based upon consciousness of obedience. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the servants inflexible resolve.htm

Experience, Resolve, and Hope
... A firm resolve. ... direction, and example, and our poor imitation and obedience, are
most ... And 'walking before God' means, I suppose, mainly, feeling always that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/experience resolve and hope.htm

The School of Obedience
... any profit, rest not till you have written it down"Daily obedience to all that God
wills of ... Not in the strength of your resolve or effort, but that the ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vii the school of obedience.htm

What Constitutes Disobedience to Moral Law?
... us examine whether this supposition would not resolve itself into ... the law of my reason,
and of God, implies that ... being as an ultimate end, in obedience to the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvi what constitutes disobedience.htm

Obedience to the Last Command
... It helped them into the surrender of obedience to the great command ... their Master's
will, if they could take the simple resolve By the grace of God I devote ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/viii obedience to the last.htm

How Internal Exercises are to be Practised in Times Improper and ...
... out that the office which at first was undertaken out of obedience to God and superiors ...
to his imperfect soul; but this being done, he must resolve to submit ...
/.../chapter iv how internal exercises.htm

On Obedience to Pastors
... this will not affright you, if you resolve to be ... bind this upon your consciences,
in the sight of God. Were it only in obedience to this direction, you cannot ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 97 on obedience to.htm

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Obedience: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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