Obedience to God’s commands is a central theme throughout the Bible. From the commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai to the message of the Apostles in the early church, the importance of obedience to God’s word is clear. As believers, we are called to follow God’s commands and to keep His word. When we do, we can experience blessings and rewards that come from living in accordance with His will. The following verses teach us that obedience to God’s commands can bring blessings and rewards.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 – “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” In this passage, the Hebrew word for “diligently obey” is shama, which means “to hear, listen to, or obey.” The word “observe” comes from the Hebrew word shamar, which means “to keep, guard, or preserve.” These words emphasize the importance of actively listening to God’s commands and carefully guarding them in our hearts and minds.
Proverbs 3:1-2 – “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” Here, the Hebrew word for “law” is torah, which refers to the instructions and teachings of God. The word “keep” comes from the Hebrew word natsar, which means “to watch, preserve, or guard.” This verse reminds us that keeping God’s commands and teachings in our hearts can lead to a long and peaceful life.
Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” The Hebrew word for “law” is torah, and the word “meditates” comes from the Hebrew word hagah, which means “to murmur, ponder, or meditate.” This verse highlights the importance of delighting in God’s commands and meditating on them day and night.
Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” This verse emphasizes the importance of meditating on and obeying God’s word in order to experience success and prosperity. The Hebrew word for “observe” is shamar, which we discussed earlier, and the word “prosperous” comes from the Hebrew word sakal, which means “to act wisely, to prosper, or to have success.” This verse reminds us that obedience to God’s commands is key to living a successful and prosperous life.
Psalm 19:11 – “Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” Here, the word “them” refers to the commands and instructions of God. The Hebrew word for “keeping” is natsar, which we also discussed earlier, and the word “reward” comes from the Hebrew word shakar, which means “to be paid, to be rewarded, or to be recognized.” This verse reminds us that obedience to God’s commands can bring great reward and recognition, not only in this life but also in the life to come.
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This passage reminds us that the treasures we accumulate on earth are temporary and can be lost, but the treasures we lay up in heaven through obedience to God will last for eternity. The Greek word for “treasures” is thesauros, which refers to a storehouse or a treasure chest. This word emphasizes the idea of storing up eternal rewards through obedience to God’s commands.
1 Corinthians 3:11-14 – “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.” In this passage, Paul uses the analogy of a building to describe our lives and our works. The foundation is Jesus Christ, and our works are the building materials we use to build upon that foundation. The Greek word for “reward” is misthos, which refers to wages or compensation for work. This passage emphasizes the idea that our obedience to God’s commands and our works for His kingdom will be rewarded in heaven.
James 1:25 – “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” Here, the Greek word for “looks into” is parakupto, which means “to stoop and look into with interest and care.” The phrase “perfect law of liberty” refers to the Gospel, which sets us free from sin and gives us new life in Christ. The word “continues” comes from the Greek word meno, which means “to abide, remain, or endure.” This verse encourages us to actively engage with and follow the Gospel, so that we may be blessed in all that we do.
John 14:23 – “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.'” Here, Jesus emphasizes the connection between love for Him and obedience to His word. The Greek word for “keep” is tereo, which we discussed earlier, and the phrase “make Our home with him” refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. This verse reminds us that obedience to God’s commands is a vital aspect of our relationship with Him, and that it can lead to a deeper experience of His love and presence in our lives.
Revelation 22:12 – “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Here, Jesus speaks of His return and the reward that He will bring with Him for each person based on their works. The Greek word for “reward” is misthos, which we discussed earlier. This verse reminds us that our obedience to God’s commands and our works for His kingdom will be recognized and rewarded by Him in the future.
While obedience to God’s commands can bring blessings and rewards, it’s important to recognize that it’s not always easy. We may face obstacles such as fear, doubt, pride, and temptation. However, we can look to the examples of individuals in the Bible who faced similar obstacles and overcame them through their faith and obedience to God.
Consider Hebrews 12:1, which says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” This verse refers to the many faithful men and women who have gone before us, who lived lives of faith and obedience to God. These individuals serve as examples and encouragements to us, showing us that it is possible to overcome obstacles and follow God’s will even in the face of adversity.
- Moses – When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses initially resisted due to his fear and insecurity. However, he ultimately obeyed God and led the Israelites out of slavery. Through his faith and obedience, Moses witnessed God’s power and miracles, and he became a great leader and prophet.
- David – David faced many obstacles in his life, including opposition from his enemies and personal struggles with sin and temptation. However, he remained faithful to God and sought His guidance and strength. Despite his weaknesses, David became a great king of Israel and a man after God’s own heart.
- Esther – Esther faced the daunting task of saving her people, the Jews, from destruction at the hands of the Persian king. She overcame her fear and risked her life to approach the king and plead for her people. Through her faith and obedience, God used Esther to save her people and preserve their heritage.
- Peter – Peter was impulsive and often acted on his own understanding rather than seeking God’s guidance. He denied Jesus three times out of fear, but ultimately repented and became a bold and faithful apostle. Through his faith and obedience, Peter played a significant role in spreading the Gospel and establishing the early church.
- Paul – Throughout his ministry, Paul faced numerous obstacles, including persecution, imprisonment, and opposition from both Jews and Gentiles. However, he remained steadfast in his faith and continued to preach the Gospel, even when it meant putting his own life at risk. He wrote many of the letters that make up the New Testament, in which he encouraged and instructed early Christians on how to live lives of faith and obedience.
- Stephen – In the early church, Stephen faced fierce opposition from Jewish religious leaders who were threatened by his teachings. Despite the intense persecution he faced, Stephen remained obedient to God and His truth, even to the point of death. His example reminds us that even in the face of intense opposition and persecution, we can remain faithful to God and His truth.
Through their faith and obedience, the great cloud of witnesses received blessings and rewards both in this life and in the life to come. They provide us with a powerful example of what it means to live a life of faith and obedience, and they encourage us to press on in our own journey of faith, even when we face obstacles and challenges.
- We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) – We have to live by trusting God by faith because we don’t have the sight to see his appearance yet. But someday…
- Acts 15 Grace changes everything – Acts 15 From death under the burden of the law to life in the fullness and power of Jesus Christ
- But they would not listen – One of the saddest phrases is, “But they would not listen.” Even when God has proven he wants to help with love and mercy.
In conclusion, as believers, we are called to follow God’s commands and to keep His word. When we do, we can experience blessings and rewards that come from living in accordance with His will. Let us strive to actively listen to God’s commands, carefully guard them in our hearts, and delight in His teachings, so that we may experience the fullness of His blessings and rewards in our lives.