Topical Bible: Obedience to God: Saints Elected To

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Obedience to God is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the relationship between the Creator and His creation. The concept of obedience is not merely about following commands but is deeply rooted in love, faith, and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Saints, or believers, are elected to this obedience as part of their calling and sanctification in Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The call to obedience is evident from the earliest narratives in the Bible. In Genesis, God commands Adam and Eve to obey His instructions in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:16-17). The failure to obey results in the fall, illustrating the consequences of disobedience. Conversely, figures like Noah and Abraham exemplify obedience through faith. Noah obeys God's command to build the ark, demonstrating righteousness in a corrupt world (Genesis 6:22). Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac at God's command is a profound act of obedience, underscoring his faith and trust in God (Genesis 22:2-3).

Election and Obedience

The New Testament further develops the theme of obedience, particularly in the context of election. Believers are chosen by God to live in obedience through the sanctifying work of the Spirit. The Apostle Peter writes, "To the elect, exiles scattered throughout... who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood" (1 Peter 1:1-2). This passage highlights that obedience is not merely a human effort but is enabled by the Holy Spirit's transformative work.

Obedience as a Mark of Discipleship

Jesus Christ, the ultimate model of obedience, emphasizes the importance of following God's will. In the Gospels, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Obedience is thus a demonstration of love and commitment to Christ. The Great Commission further underscores this, as Jesus instructs His disciples to teach others to obey everything He has commanded (Matthew 28:20).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to live obediently. The Apostle Paul writes, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). This divine assistance ensures that obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's grace.

Obedience and Sanctification

Obedience is intrinsically linked to the process of sanctification. As believers grow in their faith, they are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Romans, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This transformation involves a continual commitment to obey God's Word and align one's life with His will.

Examples of Obedient Saints

Throughout church history, numerous saints have exemplified obedience to God. The lives of the apostles, early church fathers, and countless martyrs reflect a steadfast commitment to God's commands, often in the face of persecution and trials. Their obedience serves as an inspiration and model for contemporary believers.

Conclusion

Obedience to God is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, rooted in the believer's election and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is both a response to God's love and a reflection of one's faith in Christ. As saints are called to live obediently, they participate in God's redemptive work and bear witness to His kingdom on earth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
... as if they regarded all true saints as of ... 2. Elect according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father ... sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlviii perseverance of the.htm

Andover Orthodox Creed.
... unto life, faith to feed upon CHRIST, love to GOD, and new obedience, are the ... and
election sure, and that the final perseverance of saints, though it is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/andover orthodox creed.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... of mind"dutifulness; they show themselves in obedience, in the ... us to the unseen society
of Saints and Angels ... May God grant, that we, like Josiah, may improve ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... by the blood of Christ."[537] The saints are described ... of Christ's death by the Spirit
of God, was wont ... so, under the last dispensation, the obedience of the ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

The Unity of the Church.
... heaven; but what follows now from believing that all saints are one ... whole doctrine
of ecclesiastical order is connected with personal obedience to God's will ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xvii the unity of.htm

Of the Teachers and Ministers of the Church. Their Election and ...
... In this way, the renewal of the saints is accomplished, and the body of ... to bring
back the world from its revolt to the true obedience of God, and everywhere ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 of the teachers.htm

Rejection of Errors
... not chosen; and that therefore faith, the obedience of faith ... contrary to the experience
of the saints, who by ... apostle and praise this favor of God (Ephesians 1 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm

The Second Commandment
... Paul, and St. Stephen, and St. Luke; they canonise dead saints, but persecute
living saints; and do they love God? ... Obedience pleases God. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Duty to New and Old Man.
... Such are the factious spirits and monastic saints, who base ... joy, into doubts or into
presumption toward God, and from unspotted, noble obedience into the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/nineteenth sunday after trinity duty.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... Some angels persevered in obedience, and are ordained unto ... without any respect of
men, the saints whom he ... God elected us in Christ and for Christ's sake, so ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm