Obedience is not a popular topic in an age that exalts the self. But the Bible shows that obeying God is the path to blessing and true freedom. This article looks at four examples of obedience in the Bible. Bible quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible.
The Example of Jesus
Jesus always obeyed the will of the Father, even in suffering, as when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me.” Yet Jesus said: “Yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus knew: “He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29).
In fact, Jesus said: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work” (John 4:34) and “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:5–7), and “being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Who could be more humble than Jesus, who washed His disciples’ feet, including those of His betrayer, Judas Iscariot?
The Call of Abraham
Abraham is presented in Genesis 12 as an example of immediate, unhesitating obedience. When God called him, he left his homeland, his family and everything to go to a land God would show him. “So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him” (Genesis 12:4). This same spirit of obedience appeared when Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, his only son, as a sacrifice.
From Saul to Paul
Saul’s transformation into the Apostle Paul is powerful evidence of obedience and change by God’s grace. Saul once persecuted the church, but after meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, his life changed completely. He accepted suffering and the mission of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, despite the hardships he knew he would face (Acts 9:15–16).
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Mary, the mother of Jesus, showed remarkable obedience in accepting God’s plan. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would give birth to the Savior, Mary simply said: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Despite the difficulties, she trusted and obeyed God’s plan completely.
Conclusion
What other examples of obedience in the Bible can you remember? We could mention Moses returning to Egypt to bring God’s people out, or Gideon defeating the Midianites despite overwhelming odds. But truly, Jesus is the greatest example of obedience to God and our model for submitting to God’s Word, which means submitting to God’s will, because God’s will is found in His Word.
Learning Obedience in Daily Life
All four examples show that obedience often comes before we understand everything. Abraham set out without knowing where he was going. Mary said “I am the Lord’s servant” before she knew the road ahead. Jesus obeyed to the point of death on the cross.
Obedience is not coercion but a response of love. Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” When we know how much God loves us, obeying Him becomes a joy rather than a burden.
This week, ask God for one specific thing He wants you to obey: an apology to make, a habit to break or a step of service to begin. Obedience in small things today prepares you for bigger steps tomorrow.
A Prayer
Father, thank You that Jesus obeyed You even to death to save us. Give us hearts that obey Your will, even when we do not fully understand. May Your will be done in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Article: Thoa Trần
Adapted from: WhatChristiansWantToKnow.com
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