Obedience - the fear of god
The fear of God is obedience, and obedience is the fear of God.
Obedience requires that you establish certain boundaries. Salvation is all about setting boundaries.
When it comes to the things of God, you either obey or not.
1. Obedience and Faith
Heb 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Verse 8 talks of Abraham who left a known land to an unknown one, by faith.
Abraham obeyed because he had faith in the one who had called Him. There is no obedience without faith.
2. Obedience and Command
According to Psalms 119:4, God has put in place commands that ought to be followed.
"You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed."
James 1:22-24 says that we should be doers of the Word, not just hearers. The writer of this portion of scripture compares being only hearers of the Word, to looking at yourself in the mirror and immediately forgetting how you look.
3 . Obedience and the Fear of God
In 1 Sam 12:14-15, the Word says that if you indeed fear and serve the Lord, it is an honourable thing, but if you rebel against Him, His hand will be against you.
John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands."
In Luke 6:46, the Lord asks why people call Him Lord, and do not do what He says.
According to Exo 23:22, God becomes an enemy to your enemies, and opposes those who oppose you, but only if you walk according to His requirements.
That's why Prov 16:7 talks of God causing your enemies to make peace with you, if your ways please the Lord.
Ecc 12:13 concludes that the duty of man is to fear God and keep his commands.
4. Obedience and Repentance
Isaiah 1:8 “Come now, and let us reason together,”Says the Lord,“Though your sins are like scarlet,They shall be as white as snow;Though they are red like crimson,They shall be as wool."
Isaiah 1:19 says that if we are obedient we will eat the good things of the land.
Obedience comes with,
1. Divine Protection
Obedience will bring protection your way.
We have established that a God fearing man, is an obedient man. His protection surely comes from God.
2. Divine Promotion
According to Psalms 75:6-7, no one can exalt themselves.
Promotion does not come from the East or West. It is God that exalts.
3. Divine Blessings
We have already quoted Isaiah 1:19 above. Obedience guarantees the good things of the land.
The said blessings maketh rich and add no sorrow. (Prov 10:22)
Choose to honour God today. Choose to walk in the fear of God, demonstrated in the purity of your actions, of your mind and of your heart.