What is obedience to you? Do you envision a husband or wife vowing to obey one another? Do you see a child being told “NO!” by a parent expecting obedience? What about a hunting dog, is it doing what you want? How do you feel when those over you expect you to be obedient? Let’s flip that around, do you like others to obey you when you need them to do something? That changes things, doesn’t it?

In the Old Testament, we see God establishing His Law to humanity. We see God command that humanity follow His Law, establishing authority. If they do it right, they are rewarded and protected. If they do it wrong, God’s wrath is poured out on them. The Old Testament is a constant lesson from God telling Adam and Eve what He wanted them to do or not do, then it shows how well they did with those commandments. The rest of the old law shows God setting parameters and man either staying in the confines of the law, or going beyond it (sinning).

In the New Testament, we see God’s own Son, Jesus coming to provide God’s will in Person. Still, the liberty that God gives man allows us to choose right or wrong.

Never has it been more important for us to look at God’s Laws, His authority, and man’s obedience. Today everyone seems to be nice and loving, but they are not doing God’s will. They may think they are, they may tell you they are, but they are not. How can you tell? Don’t seek your pastor, or your preacher, not your priest, deacon, elder, not a lay member, or anyone at church. Look to God’s word and read what it says. Anyone who interprets what those words say in ways that bend to their way of life is risking their soul

Please listen to these lessons (again?) and consider your life. How obedient are you being to God? Do you remember that God will reward you for doing what He asks? Do you also remember that He will punish us for disobedience? Both can be while we live, but both will last forever after we die. The spirit lives on forever, so does God’s pronouncement of judgement.

• Passages used for lesson 1: Judges 17:6, 21:25, Proverbs 3:7, 12:15, 16:2, Isaiah 5:21, Genesis 4:26, 6:12, 22:17-18, Exodus 5:21, Leviticus 26 (whole chapter), Jeremiah 33:13-15, 1 Kings 8:56.
• Lesson 2: Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Matthew 8:27, Acts 5:36-37, Romans 2:5-11, 6:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Peter 3:10-13,

Recordings of both lesson can be heard by clicking the link below. If you would like to have an outline of either lesson, or discuss the topics discussed in more detail, please use our Contact page to let us know what lesson you want a copy for.

Obedience – Old Testament History – Starnes
Obedience – New Testament Practice – Starnes