The Key to Obedience

Obedience is a key theme in the Christian life, but what does it really mean to be obedient to God? What commandments are we called to follow? And how does the Holy Spirit empower us to walk in obedience? In this post, we’ll explore what Scripture says about obedience and how it all ties back to God’s transformative work in our hearts.

A Journey of Obedience

It’s somewhat ironic that I’m writing this post today. The first notes for this blog were drafted back in March of 2021. At the time, I felt a strong prompting from the Lord to spread the gospel and encourage fellow believers online. But here I am, finally writing this post in 2024—three years later. If there’s anything this delay has taught me, it’s that obedience doesn’t always happen on our timeline. Sometimes we know what needs to be done, but we’re not in the right season to act on it just yet. And that’s okay. It’s part of God’s perfect timing.

If you’ve spent time in the New Testament, you’ve likely come across verses that emphasize the importance of obeying God’s commandments. Passages like, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments,” or “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.”

But here’s the question: What commandments are we called to obey? Are these the same commandments outlined in the Old Testament law? To understand this, it’s important to take a closer look at what the Scriptures actually say.

What Are God's Commandments?

In the Gospels, Jesus was once asked by the Pharisees which commandment was the greatest. His response is both simple and profound:

[Matthew 22:36-40 ESV]“36 ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’37 And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the great and first commandment.39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’”

What Jesus makes clear here is that the core of obedience is found in these two commandments: Love God and Love People. These are the heart of the Law of Christ, which is directly tied to the New Covenant that Jesus established.

The Old and New Covenant

In the Old Testament, the Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, promising that there would be a new covenant:

[Jeremiah 31:33 ESV]“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

The Old Covenant was defined by the law given to Moses, which was written on stone tablets. However, the New Covenant is different. God’s law is now written on the hearts of those who have received Christ. This marks a significant shift, one that enables true obedience—obedience that comes from within, not from external rules.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Obedience

Now, you may be wondering how all of this ties back to obedience. Here’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. Under the Old Covenant, God’s Spirit would temporarily come upon certain individuals to empower them for a specific task, such as prophesying or carrying out God’s will. But after Jesus’ death and resurrection, something incredible happened: The Holy Spirit became available to all who would receive Him.

In John 16:7, Jesus said: [John 16:7 ESV]“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit (the Helper) would be sent to guide us, teach us, and empower us to walk in obedience and to guide is and remind us of all things. [Jhn 14:26 ESV] 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live out the commandments of loving God and loving others.

This is where obedience becomes possible. Without the Holy Spirit, living according to God’s commands would be a burdensome and dare I say, impossible task. Our own efforts and willpower would fall short. But with the Holy Spirit living in us, obedience isn’t burdensome—it’s a natural outflow of the new heart He has given us.

His Commandments Are Not Burdensome

In 1 John 5:1-5, we find an important truth about obedience:[1 John 5:1-5 ESV]“1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Did you catch that? His commandments are not burdensome. This is one of the most important truths when it comes to obedience. It’s impossible to live a life pleasing to the Lord without the Holy Spirit, because we’d be relying on our own abilities, which will ultimately fail. A “Christian life” without the Holy Spirit is burdensome, dull, and incredibly difficult. But with the Holy Spirit, obedience becomes a joy, not a duty.

The Holy Spirit is the one who transforms our hearts, taking our “heart of stone” and replacing it with a “heart of flesh” that is sensitive to God’s leading. [Eze 36:26-27 ESV] 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

The Spirit of Obedience

The Holy Spirit is not just our Helper, He is our teacher, our guide, and our instructor. He leads us to walk in obedience, helping us to discern God’s voice in the secret place. He is the one who speaks to our hearts and nudges us toward the right path.

However, we must remember that we can grieve or quench the Holy Spirit. If we live in disobedience or allow sin to dominate our lives, we make ourselves less sensitive to His voice. This is why Scripture urges us not to grieve or quench the Holy Spirit. In order to live the life the Lord wants for us, we must allow the Spirit to work in us, yielding to His leading and letting Him guide us in all things.

Desiring What God Desires

In Psalm 37:4, we’re reminded that true obedience is rooted in delighting ourselves in the Lord:[Psalm 37:4 ESV]“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

It’s easy to misinterpret this verse, thinking it means that God will give us whatever we want if we follow Him. But in reality, this is about God placing new desires in our hearts—desires that align with His will. When we delight in the Lord, He transforms our desires to reflect His own. This leads us to walk in His ways, keeping His commandments, and loving Him and others.

Giving God Your Yes

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this post, it’s this: If you want to be obedient to the Lord, give Him your “yes.” Surrender your will to Him and let Him shape you. Pay attention to what He is calling you to do, and trust Him to show you when and how it will be done. The Lord wants your commitment, your faith, and your willingness to walk in His ways. ANYONE who repents and believes in Jesus will receive the Holy Spirit, the Key to Obedience.

Sometimes we may feel like we’re not in the right season to obey, or that we’ve missed our chance. But as I’ve learned through my own journey, God’s timing is perfect. When we give Him our “yes,” He will make a way for us to walk in obedience.

Conclusion

Obedience to God is not about following a set of rules—it’s about loving God and loving others. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, transforming us from the inside out, and empowering us to live in a way that pleases the Lord. If we want to be obedient, we must allow the Spirit to lead us, surrender our will, and trust in God’s perfect timing.

I hope this post has encouraged you to walk in obedience and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Remember, His commandments are not burdensome, and with Him, we can do all things!