Topical Bible: Obedience to God: should Be with Willingness

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Obedience to God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's actions and heart with God's will. This obedience is not merely a matter of external compliance but should be characterized by a willing and joyful heart. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that highlight the necessity of willing obedience as an expression of genuine faith and love for God.

Biblical Foundation

The call for willing obedience is rooted in the nature of the relationship between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Moses exhorts the Israelites to "choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him." This passage underscores the voluntary nature of obedience, which flows from a heart that loves God.

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of willing obedience in John 14:15: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Here, obedience is presented as a natural outflow of love for Christ, indicating that it should be motivated by a sincere desire to please Him rather than mere duty.

Examples of Willing Obedience

1. Abraham: Abraham's willingness to obey God is exemplified in Genesis 22 when he is asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. Despite the difficulty of the command, Abraham's readiness to comply demonstrates his trust and reverence for God. Hebrews 11:17-19 commends Abraham's faith, showing that his obedience was rooted in a confident belief in God's promises.

2. David: King David, despite his imperfections, is often highlighted for his heart of obedience. In Psalm 40:8, David declares, "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart." This verse reflects a deep-seated willingness to follow God's commands, driven by an internalized love for His law.

3. Mary, the Mother of Jesus: In Luke 1:38, Mary responds to the angel Gabriel's announcement with, "I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me according to your word." Her acceptance of God's plan with humility and willingness exemplifies obedience born out of faith and submission.

Teachings on Willing Obedience

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the attitude with which believers should obey God. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, while discussing the topic of giving, Paul states, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." Although this passage specifically pertains to giving, it reflects a broader principle applicable to all acts of obedience: they should be performed willingly and joyfully.

Furthermore, in Philippians 2:13, Paul writes, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This verse highlights the divine enablement that accompanies a believer's willingness to obey, suggesting that God not only commands obedience but also empowers His people to fulfill His will with a willing spirit.

Consequences of Unwilling Obedience

The Bible also warns against the dangers of reluctant or half-hearted obedience. In Isaiah 1:19-20, the prophet declares, "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." This passage illustrates the blessings associated with willing obedience and the consequences of resistance.

Similarly, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their outward compliance without inward willingness in Matthew 23:27-28, where He compares them to "whitewashed tombs" that appear beautiful on the outside but are full of dead bones inside. This serves as a caution against mere external adherence to God's commands without a corresponding heart attitude.

Conclusion

The biblical call to obedience is clear: it should be marked by willingness and joy, reflecting a heart that truly loves and trusts God. Through the examples of faithful individuals and the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to cultivate a willing spirit in their walk with God, knowing that such obedience is pleasing to Him and leads to spiritual blessing.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 18:44
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves to me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 1:19
If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ears to Hear are a Willingness to Obey.
... Although, therefore, we say that obedience is the gift of God ... to the Son, while to
those it should not be ... Or who art thou, O man, that repliest against God? ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 37 ears to hear are.htm

Obedience
... fire. Why should not our obedience be lively and fervent? God deserves
the flower and strength of our affections. Domitian ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 1 obedience.htm

The Crowning Test and Triumph of Faith
... was given with the purpose that it should not be ... God deals with men on the moral
and spiritual level ... test whether earthly love or heavenly obedience were the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the crowning test and triumph.htm

Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7.
... provision has been made, by which God offers us ... The gospel requires the same obedience
with the law. ... therefore, never been required, that men should be willing ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/submit yourselves therefore to god.htm

Three Tests of Love
... loves his country will, if the need should arise, count ... loves his country is willing
to sacrifice for God. ... He offered him freely in obedience to God's command. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-three three tests of.htm

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
... a willingness to disobey God, refuse his grace, and continue in unbelief and
impenitence! Should we suppose it possible for God to issue the order, obedience ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon vii moses prayer to.htm

The Temptation
... Then he is sure of his prey. If we would meet him as Jesus did, we should escape
many a defeat. ... He was in the wilderness in obedience to God, and He would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 12 the temptation.htm

God's Will and Man's Will
... Yet, mark, the will is not gone; the will is treated as it should be treated; man
is not acted upon as a ... Men are to believe in obedience to God's command. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/gods will and mans will.htm

Gracious Ability.
... What grace can there be, that should surprise heaven and earth, and cause "the angels
to desire to look into it ... God still required obedience of them ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxii gracious ability.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Passion of Christ.
... Why, then, should the Holy Spirit be added to qualify the human nature? ... He obedience,"
does not mean that as God He learned obedience; for God can not obey ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxii the holy spirit in.htm