[Step 7] New Believer's Series - Relationship: Obey Him

This post is part of a series of core Christian principles for new believers. For more, visit the series archive.

Learn how obedience to God is a major step in relationship building and an important part of your spiritual growth.

Obedience and relationships go hand in hand because actions can reveal personal feelings.

If you asked a friend to perform an important task and they regularly dismissed your request, you would begin to question the quality of the friendship.

This is no different from the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father.

"If you love Me, you will keep my commandments" - John 14:15 (NASB)

God gave creation free-will so that we could love Him by choice, not force.

Obedience is the ultimate way to express love towards God. He definitely deserves to be loved according to His standards, not ours.

Why should I obey?

When we became Christians, we were born into a new life, and this new life has responsibilities. We're to grow in faith, spread the gospel, obey Him, and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

"...Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." - Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

In many relationships, we choose to obey each other's wishes because we love them enough to sacrifice our own desires for theirs.

Do you feel the same way about God?

Then yield your everyday choices to God's authority by obeying His commands, thus showing that you trust Him completely with the direction of your life.

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Which commandments?

The Mosaic Law vs. The 10 Commandments

Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him." 
- 1 John 2:4 (AMPC)

In the Bible, there is minimal distinction between the Mosaic law (the rules supplied by Moses) and the 10 commandments written by the finger of God.

Every command, statute, ordinance, rule, and decree in the Bible is neither more nor less important than the others because ALL of it was given by God to humanity for instruction.

With more in-depth biblical study, you'll see the different categories of the law like religious instructions, eternal truths, scenarios, or temporary and permanent conditions.

"But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. 

But where sin increased, [God's remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more," 
- Romans 5:20 (AMP)

What shall we say [to all this]?
 Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God's gift of] grace may increase and overflow?
Certainly not!..."
- Romans 6:1-2 (AMP)

God is on our side and He knows we are unable to keep all of His Holy Law.

That's why He sent Jesus Christ to accomplish what we couldn't, giving us grace to try again and mercy to be forgiven when we fail continually.

It is very liberating to view the commandments as spiritual goals and not as unobtainable demands of God.

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Which biblical principles?

Old Testament Principles vs. Jesus' Teachings

Surprisingly, there are a few Christians who only accept the 'red letters' in the bible as absolute truth because Jesus spoke them. While others adhere to the teachings of a particular apostle, holding one above the other.

To me, this study approach is selective and bias because it picks and chooses which biblical principles are worth obeying while discarding the rest.

"For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? 

They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 
- 1 Corinthians 3: 4-7 (CSB)

The Bible is one complete book written in 3 different languages over the span of 1,600 years. Moses was the first person God used to record His words, while John was the last.

Many people will argue missing or replaced books of the Bible. However, logic says that God is the ultimate being with unlimited power.

If He wanted to include/remove a specific book in HIS WORD, then He is capable without any help, and at any time.

As Christians, we do not have the authority to disregard any portion of God's Word. Once you accept the scriptures as a whole, equally inspired, and flawless Words of God, you will begin to grow in His manifold wisdom.

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Which holidays to keep?

Traditional Holidays vs. Ancient Hebrew Feasts

God created holidays, a.k.a feast days (Leviticus 23), which are still celebrated today. These holidays were created with a purpose to one day be fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and until then, we are to celebrate it each year.

Passover Feast:

The Israelites placed the blood of a lamb over the doorpost so that the death angel would PASSOVER their home.

Over 1,000 years later, on the Passover holiday, Jesus Christ died on the cross as God's ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Jesus has fulfilled 4 of 7 holy feasts of the Bible while on Earth and the rest He will accomplish in the future.

Many modern Christians are unaware of this, and so they do not celebrate them.

Is it a bad thing? Not necessarily, but when you know better, you do better, right?

So do not let anyone make rules for [or criticize; judge; or condemn] you about eating and drinking or about a religious feast [festival], a New Moon Festival [2 Kin. 4:23; Neh. 10:33], or a Sabbath day [religious observances that false teachers pressured the Colossians to keep].

These things were like [are] a shadow of what was to come. But what is true and real has come and is found in Christ [or the reality/substance belongs to Christ; the body (is) of Christ]."
- Colossians 2: 16-17 (EXB)

What about celebrating man-made festivals?

The choice to take part in celebrations like Halloween/Easter or not is mostly a personal one.

Some people justify their participation by saying 'it's not for me but the kids' enjoyment,' while others claim it's a long-time family tradition.

To determine if you should keep a particular holiday in your life as a believer, there are a few things you should consider before making the final decision.

1. Ask God for direction on the matter before the celebration.

2. Does the festival jeopardize my walk with Christ?

3. Who created this holiday, and What does it stand for?

4. Is my participation beneficial for my family and future generations?

5. Are there any spiritual consequences for aligning myself with pagan rituals?

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and then go drink a cup that honors demons. You cannot share a meal at the Lord’s table and then go share a meal that honors demons."
- 1 Corinthians 10:21 (ERV)

Scriptures:

"Does the Lord have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice..."

- 1 Samuel 15: 22 (NASB)

Songs:

'Trust In You' by Lauren Daigle

"When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers, As I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust

I will trust in You..."

'Im Gonna Let It Go' by Jason Gray

"Letting go of my worries

And my need to control things

I'm gonna take You at Your word and

I'm gonna lay down all my burdens..."

Sermons:

Fearing God Sermon Series

Fearing God Enough To Obey Him – $4.50 (MP3)

Learning to Fear God - $4.50 (MP3)

by The Urban Alternative

Dr. Tony Evans explains all the many facets of fearing God... In this series, you will learn that to fear God means to hold Him in high reverence. To biblically and spiritually fear God, the way we are meant to fear God is the overall purpose of this series.

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We have now explored what it means to build a relationship with God in obedience; next week, our focus will be on honor and respect in [Step 8]!

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