When Jesus started His Messianic work here, God made a big deal of His desire to adopt us into His family. He was happy, and has spread this good news like the leaves of autumn. The consequence of this amazing act is that the relationship between us has now changed. The Old Covenant relationship is that of the Master-slave type of relationship. The New Covenant relationship is that of the Father-son relationship.
This change in the relationship is reflected in the words used to describe the obedience. In the Old Covenant we were commanded to do the right thing. In the New Covenant we are moved by a strong impulse of filial love to willingly and eagerly live in a way which is pleasing to God.
“And the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice. He proclaimed his covenant—the Ten Commandments—which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.”
Deuteronomy 4:12-13 NLT
This is a Master-slave type of relationship.
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.””
John 14:21 NLT
“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”
Galatians 4:6-7 NLT
This is a Father-son type of relationship.
“So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.”
Hebrews 2:11 NLT
Jesus accepts us as His brothers and sisters, because we have the same Father, the same God. Yes. We are one family. It is like a blood-bonded family. The sacrifice of Jesus confirmed this blood bond. Jesus spilled His blood to show us that we belong. That He is our next-of-kin. That He is our Elder Brother come to rescue us. That He did this for us.
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.”
Hebrews 2:14 NLT
Jesus taught us how to live honourably as part of God’s family. His sacrifice and God’s ample provisions united to turn sinner into a child of God.
““They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.””
Malachi 3:17-18 NLT
There is a huge difference between commanded obedience and a relationship obedience. It is by the will of God the Father that we are adopted into God’s family. And not just adopted – born!
“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
John 1:10-13 NLT
If we accept this miracle of birth which comes from God; If we accept the unimaginable privilege of becoming a part of the family of God; If we accept the unthinkable honour of having God as our Father – then it is a most natural thing to render to God our Father the obedience. Willing, happy, wholehearted, filial obedience.
““If you love me, obey my commandments.”
John 14:15 NLT
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.””
John 14:21 NLT
“Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”
John 14:23-24 NLT
If we withhold our obedience from God – you know what that means. It means we deny ourselves the privilege of being a child of God. It means we deny God the joy to be our Father. It is not hard to guess. If we so cruelly and thoughtlessly reject God’s Fatherhood – we ally ourselves with other godless rebellious sinners, whose end will be in the Lake of Fire. That would be our choice. That would be our doing. Oh dear. Let us never contemplate such a barbaric, monstrous, wicked thought.
The difference between commanded obedience and a relationship obedience is so huge, because this second one comes from a heart which is drawn by the loving kindness of God and Jesus Christ and is moved from us by a deep and strongly felt gratitude.
It is His willing self sacrifice which brought Jesus here to our world – where He became our Next-of-Kin, our Elder Brother – by taking upon Himself the body like we sinners have. Having done that, He allied Himself with human family by a tie that is never to be broken. He came here by the will of God to be the Sin Solution, and to accomplish all God’s objectives to make it happen.
If we accept Christ as our Saviour; If we accept the accomplishments of His unimaginably deep anguish during His brutally experienced sufferings caused by our sins; If we accept the benefits of His spilled sacred blood, which defeated the devil, and brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand – then it is a most natural thing to willingly enhance His joy by accepting the gift of triumph over sin – which He purchased for us by that colossal price of humiliation, torture and death.
If we do that – if we willingly accept this triumphant life over sin – which Jesus offers – you know what it means? It means obedience. Willing, wholehearted obedience. Not commanded obedience. God does not desire robotic obedience. God does not desire automatons. No. God does not force our will. He hopes for a truely loving response from a pure heart. In view of all that Jesus has done for us, it is a most natural thing to willingly embrace this new reality, and yes, we will be thrilled to please God and Jesus Christ in this way.
“Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.”
1 John 3:4-6 NLT
The life without sin is not the result of our striving. It is accomplished by the anguish of Jesus. It is given us as a gift. Just look at the beautiful words in the quote which follows:
“Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT
There is a lot of joy in obedience. Having this new sense of family-belonging to the Father and to the Son, we feel impelled by this new blood bond to place everything on His altar. Our greatest joy now is to be in harmony with God. To please Him in all things.
“I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.””
Psalms 40:8 NKJV
The NLT says:
“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.””
Psalms 40:8 NLT
“Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.”
1 John 3:24 NLT
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
The CEV translation says:
“…and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings.”
Ezekiel 36:27 CEV
Yes. Now we obey with eagerness. The arrival of God’s Righteousness into our innermost being took the desire for sin away and replaced it with the desire for God. The impulses to obey God and to please Him are strong and are coming from within. Are moved by the indwelling Spirit. It is easy to say No to temptations. Our desire is for God and holiness. The goal of everything we do now is the glory of God. Our works are no longer ours but the indwelling Christ’s. He lives His victorious life from within.
I’m appealing here to my dear Christian friends – those who have been taught for a long time, that works in our Christian lives are bad. That obedience is not necessary because Jesus obeyed for us. The sad thing is that some enthusiastic individuals have attempted to make themselves ‘good’ in the eyes of God. Attempting to create their own righteousness. That is usually done by human effort – and is therefore worthless. I’m asking you to stop here for a moment – and consider the information just received. I’m appealing to you – please take a second look. Go back and reread the sections you think may be helpful. God, in His wisdom, has seen that the only way a human being can be Saved – is if His Salvation is given us as a free gift. But Salvation is a very complex endeavour, and it needs to change a habitual sinner into a habitual righteous person – but changed in such a way that this change is not imposed on us, but willingly desired and embraced. Yes. There are privileges in this new relationship, but also the responsibilities. This whole book is written with the desire to make this clear. But none of this new reality is our doing – but God’s. And none of it is achieved without our willing cooperation. This may be the crunch time. This may be the only time in your life where you were moved powerfully to do the right thing. Rejecting works, rejecting obedience is the same as rejecting life. Don’t gamble with your eternity. Read the whole of this book again. Or seek help where the help may be found. I pray that the powerful Spirit of God may guide you to the right decision.