Questions, Topics and Answers With Miangeni Academy (Part 3)

“Obedience to God, parents, and teachers what does the Bible say?”

As we read through the Bible, we know we need to obey God.  In fact, the Bible also says it is better to obey God than man.  But we also have a responsibility to obey those that care for us.  We will talk more about that a little bit later. So let’s look at what the Bible says about our obedience to God.

Deuteronomy 11:1

” 1 Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.”

This scripture tells us that we need to love the Lord, and then we need to keep or obey His commandments.  We find this promise of blessings in Deuteronomy when we obey God’s commandments for us.

Deuteronomy 11:27-28

“27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:

28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”

The verses we just read are instructing us to love God and obey His commandments.  If we love God, it will be easy to obey.  So we can see how important it is to keep our love for God alive in our life so we can continue to be obedient to God’s word.

God also calls us to love and obey our parents.  Did you know that honoring our father and mother is the fifth commandment of the ten commandments?  In case you might be unaware, the ten commandments are a crucial part of Christian history.  God made these rules and wrote them in stone for Moses to share with the Israelites.  Violating any one of these commands violates your relationship with God.  That said, it helps us understand how important it is to God that we respect, love, and obey our parents.

Exodus 20:12

“12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

As young people grow older and mature into independence, a natural struggle may come between the young person and their parents.  This struggle is typical as young people transition into adulthood.  But even as we grow into teens and young adults, God still calls us to obey and honor our parents. By honoring our parents, we learn to glorify and honor God, and when we honor God, we remain holy.

Ephesians 6:1-3

“6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

So, God wants us to obey Him, and He wants us to obey our parents, and God also calls us to obey those that have the rule over us. “Those who have the rule over us” would be our teachers or authority in our lives that care for us.

Hebrews 13:17

“17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Here the writer teaches us that when we obey those who care for our souls, they will find joy working with us.  Obedience to good and Godly authority is a characteristic of Salvation.  When God changes our heart, He puts something inside us that propels us to obey His word and those who watch for our soul.  Jesus was also an example of obedience.  He submitted His will to God and went to the cross for our sins that we might be saved.

Romans 5:19

“19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

Adam bred disobedience in our hearts, but Jesus gave us the ability to obey by His sacrifice.

As the Apostle Paul preached the word of God, he acknowledged those that were converted by their obedient nature and their reception of the truth.  When we receive, Salvation God gives us the fruit of His Spirit.  These fruits or characteristics help us to be respectful and obedient to those who care for our souls.

Romans 16:19

“19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”

Galatians 5:22-23

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

A heart that possesses love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, and faith will have no trouble obeying what is right; “against such, there is no law!” which is true freedom in Christ!  Romans also teaches us to be subject to God and those He ordains.

Romans 13:1

“13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

Concluding the Bible is calling us to obey God first, obey our parents, and also those that have the rule over us.  Obedience is a huge part of God’s word.  When we are obedient, we are respectful, and this characteristic is essential to our testimony.  God will propel us to love those that care for our soul and wellbeing.  He is faithful to help us understand the difference between someone who truly loves us and wishes to harm us.  So do not fear being obedient to those who sacrifice to bring you the best life possible.  Enjoy the fruit of Salvation in your life and true freedom in Christ.

Thoughts prepared by RHT