When life in Christ becomes little more than religious activity, we could find ourselves with a dull, lifeless group of people busy doing what appears to be all the right things with little to show for it. Where is the appeal in that? Why would people who need Jesus be drawn to that? Yet, that’s what we have when we merely focus on obedience in the Christian life.
Obedience is Important But Not God’s Top Priority
Scripture speaks of the wisdom of obeying:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. (Matt. 7:24-25)
The Word also refers to the blessing that comes from obedience:
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)
But, Scripture also points to something that supersedes the law. Jesus referenced the two greatest commandments as loving God with all of who we are and loving others as ourselves. He said, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:37-40)
Emphasis on Love Gets Us Beyond Mere Religious Activity
Jesus died on the cross to bring us into a relationship with the Father (Jn. 14:6; Rom. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:18; Heb. 4:16). That makes the Christian life more of a relationship than a religion. When we’re in a love relationship with God, we have added motivation to do what pleases and honors Him. Obedience is not burdensome.
- It’s about showing love to God by doing what He says not trying to earn His favor. (Matt. 22:37-38; Jn. 15:10; 1 Jn. 5:3)
- It’s about getting to know God better which comes as we step out in faith and do what He says. (Col. 1:9-10)