Faith That Obeys: Biblical Obedience

Faith That Obeys: Biblical Obedience

Introduction: A Word That Offends the Flesh

The modern church is eager to talk about grace, freedom, and identity—but becomes oddly silent when it comes to obedience. Yet the Scriptures are unambiguous: true faith is always obedient. In a culture of self-expression and autonomy, “obey” sounds offensive. But to the early church, obedience was a defining mark of faith.

Jesus didn’t just call for belief. He called for allegiance—expressed by submission to His will, commands, and voice.

Greek Foundations: What Scripture Means by Obey

Two primary Greek terms define biblical obedience:

• ὑπακοή (hypakoē, Strong’s G5218) – Literally “under hearing,” it denotes submission that results from attentive listening. This word emphasizes the relationship between hearing and doing—faith and action.

• πειθαρχεῖν (peitharchein, Strong’s G3980) – From peithō (to persuade) and archō (to rule); it means “to be persuaded under authority,” often translated as “to obey” or “to follow orders.”

These are not passive ideas. They describe submission to a Lord, not a suggestion list.

Jesus: The Pattern of Obedience

“He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8, NLT

Context Note

Philippians 2 is Paul’s call for Christians to adopt the mindset of Christ—who voluntarily obeyed the Father, even unto a humiliating death. Jesus’ obedience was not merely moral—it was total and self-emptying. He is the model.

Obedience as the Fruit of Love

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”John 14:15, NLT

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.”1 John 2:3, NLT

Modern theology often pits love and law against one another. But Jesus defines love by obedience. The Greek word τηρέω (tēreō), used in John 14:15, means to guard or keep watch—indicating careful observance, not careless casualness.

Context Note

John 14–16 records Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples before His death. He repeatedly equates love with obedience and disobedience with betrayal.

Faith and Obedience Are Inseparable

“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him…”Romans 1:5, NLT

“Abraham obeyed God when God called him to leave home…”Hebrews 11:8, NLT

True faith acts. Paul introduces Romans with the goal of bringing about “obedience of faith.”

The idea that obedience is optional for believers is not only unbiblical—it’s antithetical to the gospel itself.

Jesus: The Obedient Son—Even Unto Death

The standard of obedience is not derived from tradition, church hierarchy, or cultural norms—it is found in the person of Christ. Jesus, though fully divine, modeled perfect obedience in His human life, not as an unattainable example, but as the template for every believer.

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8, LEB

Context Note

Philippians 2:5–11 is widely recognized as an early Christian hymn describing the self-emptying (kenosis) of Christ. It emphasizes not only His divinity but His chosen submission—a divine King who obeyed His Father’s will completely.

The Greek term used here is ὑπήκοος (hypēkoos), the verbal form of hypakoē, meaning “obedient, submissive, under authority.” This obedience was not convenient, partial, or theoretical. It led Him to the cross—the most humiliating and torturous death the Roman Empire could devise.

And Paul makes the implication clear in the preceding verse:

“You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.”Philippians 2:5, LEB

We are not only saved by Christ’s obedience (Romans 5:19)—we are called to imitate it. He didn’t obey for us so that we could live in disobedience. He obeyed to purchase us for God (Revelation 5:9) and to lead us in the way of righteousness (1 John 2:6).

“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”1 John 2:6, NLT

The obedience of Jesus wasn’t passive. It wasn’t cultural. It was total allegiance to the will of the Father—and that same spirit is required of His disciples.

“Take up your cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, NLT)“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21, NLT)

To follow Jesus is to obey like Jesus—not perfectly, but intentionally, sacrificially, and continually.

Acts 5:29 – Obeying God, Not Man

“We must obey God rather than any human authority.”Acts 5:29, NLT

Context Note

This declaration comes in the face of threats from the Sanhedrin. Peter and the apostles are not acting rebelliously but faithfully. God’s Word and commands always outrank man’s laws, traditions, and expectations. This doesn’t negate honoring authorities – see Romans 13, Titus 2 & 1 Peter 2.

Obedience and Judgment

“God will judge everyone according to what they have done… He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good… But he will pour out his anger… on those who refuse to obey the truth…”Romans 2:6–8, NLT

“For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household…”1 Peter 4:17, NLT

Even Christians will face judgment—not for condemnation, but for reward or loss (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10). Obedience is not optional. It’s the fruit of a redeemed heart. Refusing to obey is evidence of a false faith.

Obedience in the Last Days

“This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:12, NLT

This verse is crystal clear: the saints are marked by two things—obedience and faith. Both are necessary. Jesus does not accept faith that rejects His authority.

Misuses and Abuses of Obedience

Obedience can be twisted in legalistic or authoritarian systems. However:

• Obedience to man is only valid insofar as it aligns with Scripture (Acts 5:29).

• Obedience to leaders is valid when they themselves are obeying Christ (Hebrews 13:17).

• Obedience is never a means of salvation—it is the result of it (Ephesians 2:8–10).

Legalism says you must obey to be loved. The gospel says you are loved, so you obey.

Common Objections Refuted

1. “I’m saved by grace, not works.”

   – Correct. But biblical grace produces works (Titus 2:11–12, James 2:17). Faith without obedience is dead.

2. “Obedience sounds legalistic.”

   – Only if misunderstood. Legalism trusts in law-keeping for salvation. Obedience is the result of new life in Christ (1 John 3:9–10).

3. “We’re under grace, not law.”

   – Grace does not abolish God’s moral standards (Romans 6:1–2). The law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) includes obedience.

Practical Obedience Today

Modern obedience means:

• Rejecting self-rule (Luke 9:23)

• Submitting to Scripture even when culture rejects it (2 Timothy 4:3)

• Obeying God in our speech, sexuality, finances, and relationships (Colossians 3)

• Hearing and doing the Word (James 1:22)

Obedience isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. Is your life aiming toward submission or autonomy?

Conclusion: The Call to Loyal Allegiance

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”Luke 6:46, LEB

Jesus doesn’t need fans. He calls for followers. In biblical terms, that means disciples—those who not only hear His Word but do it.

“Let us keep away from anything that might take God’s place in our hearts.”1 John 5:21, NLT

True obedience means removing rivals and enthroning Christ as King—not in theory, but in action.