Why should I care about obeying God?

Why should you care about obeying God?

God considers obedience to God essential.

God has ordered life so that generally speaking, receiving instruction will often protect from physical harm and provide stability in circumstances.

How is obedience described? What do these descriptions indicate is required for obedience?

3:3-4 — Regarding relationships: Wisdom loves others without limits, and believes and obey’s with out borders

God has so ordered life that, generally speaking, loving God and others will result in

v. 1: “not forgetting”

3:5-6 — Wisdom that refuses self-reliance and relies on God provides for stability of life.

3:7-8 — Wisdom that fears God and avoids sin provides health to our inner man.

v. 1: “heart keeping commandments”

V. 3: “not allowing steadfast (covenant) love and faithfulness to forsake”

3:

v. 3: “binding steadfast love and faithfulness around the neck”

v. 3: “writing steadfast love and faithfulness on heart”

v. 5: “trusting in the Lord”

v. 5: “not leaning on own understanding”

v. 6: “know him”

v. 7: “not being wise in own eyes” parallel to 5b

v. 7: “fear the Lord”

v. 7: “turn away from evil”

God has ordered life so that obedience to God is the safest, fullest, most rewarding way to live life, both now and forever.

God has ordered life so that obedience to God is the blessed and right way to live life.

Generally speaking, God has ordered life so that those who obey God and heed his instruction will avoid the untimely deaths that those who flaunt God’s laws often experience (c.f. , , , contrast ), while living rich, full, satisfied, stable lives (the Hebrew word for “peace” describes this kind of living) (v. 2).

However, God will give the believer trials and allow them to experience loss to strengthen their faith. We must expect suffering and even death without doubting the love of God (, ). Ultimately, God has secured our rich, abundant, satisfied, stable, eternal, glorious life in God via Jesus Christ; we obeyed God by submitting to the gospel message of “Repent and Believe!”

Generally speaking, God has ordered life so that those who obey him are met with respect and approval by both God and man (see ) (v. 4).

However, believers shouldn’t be surprised that many in the world hate us for following Christ (, ). Ultimately, we will enjoy the eternal approval of God in eternity as his children (, .f. , , )

Generally speaking, God has ordered life so that those who obey him have their paths straightened before them by him ( - God guides with counsel, contrast with ) (v. 6).

However, believers should not expect God to remove every obstacle in life; God will allow obstacles for the believer’s dependence and growth (, ). Ultimately, our eternal paths will be obstacle-free as we relationally walk with God ().

Generally speaking, God has ordered life so that those who obey him find health and refreshment (as opposed to sin-produced illnesses, harm, and grief) in their obedience.

However, even in illness or death, God is working those things out for the believer’s good (, ).

3. Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed God in every respect so that you could be forgiven of your disobedience and have eternal life with God; such future grace demands your present pursuit of obedience to God, while providing encouragement and promised grace when you fail.