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Obedience
How important is obedience?
Ex 19:5; De 10:12, 13; Ec 12:13; Jas 1:22
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 15:17-23—The prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for disobeying Jehovah; then Samuel stresses the importance of obedience
Heb 5:7-10—Although Jesus has always been a perfect Son of God, he learned to be obedient when being treated badly while on earth
What should a Christian do if a human authority asks him to disobey God?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Da 3:13-18—Even at the risk of their life, three loyal Hebrews refuse to bow down to an image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar
Mt 22:15-22—Jesus explains that his followers obey the secular authorities unless such authorities ask them to disobey Jehovah God
Ac 4:18-31—Even when ordered by the authorities to stop, the apostles boldly continue to preach
What must we do if we are to obey Jehovah’s commandments consistently?
De 6:1-5; Ps 112:1; 1Jo 5:2, 3
See also Ps 119:11, 112; Ro 6:17
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ezr 7:7-10—The faithful priest Ezra prepares his heart so that he can take the lead in obeying God’s Law and in teaching it to others
Joh 14:31—Jesus reveals why he does just as his Father commands him to do
What should motivate us to obey Jehovah and Jesus?
How does our obedience demonstrate our faith?
Ro 1:5; 10:16, 17; Jas 2:20-23
See also De 9:23
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 6:9-22; Heb 11:7—Noah shows his faith by building an ark exactly as Jehovah commands, doing “just so”
Heb 11:8, 9, 17—Abraham demonstrates his faith by obeying Jehovah’s commands not only to leave Ur but also to offer up his own son
How does Jehovah bless obedience?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Le 26:3-6—Jehovah promises to bless and care for those who obey him
Nu 13:30, 31; 14:22-24—Caleb shows an obedient spirit, and he receives Jehovah’s blessing as a result
To what does disobedience lead?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 2:16, 17; 3:17-19—Because they disobey Jehovah God, Adam and Eve lose out on Paradise, perfection, and everlasting life
De 18:18, 19; Ac 3:12, 18, 22, 23—Jehovah foretells the coming of the Prophet greater than Moses and reveals that disobeying that one will bring dire consequences
Jude 6, 7—The rebellious angels and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah incite Jehovah to anger because of their disobedience
Why should we obey Jesus Christ?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Joh 12:46-48; 14:24—Jesus explains that failure to obey his words leads to adverse judgment
Why do Christians obey overseers in the congregation?
Why should a Christian wife be in subjection to her husband?
Why are children obedient to their parents?
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 37:3, 4, 8, 11-13, 18—Young Joseph obeys his father and travels to see his brothers even though they hate him
Lu 2:51—Jesus remains in subjection to Joseph and Mary even though he is perfect and his human parents are not
