“You have commanded Your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments.”
(Psalm 119:4-6)
A radical change occurs in the heart of a believer who has been converted by the work of the Spirit of God. The evidence of this change is godly obedience. People often think that when Christians strive for holiness, they are trying to earn their salvation. Rather, a holy life is the natural outgrowth of one who has been born into the family of God. The desire to please the Father and obey His commands is what a true child of God does.
Christians possess a genuine desire and purpose of the soul because the Spirit of God dwells in them. Along with salvation comes a hunger to grow in the knowledge of God and a desire, through the strength of Christ, to live acceptable and pleasing to their Lord and Master (Ps. 119:4-6, 30-33, 112; Phil. 3:9, 4:13).
Why do we call this obedience to Jesus Christ a new obedience? Because it is evident only in those who are made a “new creation” in Christ. The new birth means we are motivated by new principles and enabled by new strength, in accordance with the New Covenant (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:12).
This New Covenant, sealed by the Spirit of Christ, binds all believers who have the same faith as father Abraham, to God’s will in obedience, not for working to earn salvation, but working out our salvation in fear and trembling. True believers embrace the supreme God for our God. We give up ourselves and what we want to be His people, which necessarily includes our obedience to Him as our King (Gen. 17:1ff; Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10).
John Willison said, “Without new obedience, and its sincere purpose, a man comes to the Lord’s table in a state of rebellion, and not in obedience to Christ, and so they can have no communion with Him. For fair profession is dishonest, and his religious performances are hypocritical and abominable to God (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Amos 3:3; Titus 1:16).”
A believer’s good works is merely outward evidence of the inward reality of his or her faith (Titus 3:8; James 2:18-20). Because without holiness in both the heart and life, one cannot see God (Matt. 5:8. Heb. 12:14) nor adore Christ as God.
How shall we examine the truth and reality of our new obedience? By examining whether the graces of faith and love and the fear of God are present within us. The fear of hell, or love of reward, may influence a hypocrite to some form of obedience. But a genuine love for God and a tender regard for His authority give witness to the believer that the Spirit of God lives in him. These are unnatural desires for one who does not know God. A new obedience, and all that it evidences, is what allows us as believers to glorify God and adore Him all the days of our life (Rom. 16:26; Heb. 11:7-8; 2 Cor. 5:14; Ps. 119:4-6; Acts 10:35).
- Lord, Your will and commands are revealed and contained in the holy scriptures; I’ve read them countless times. They are certainly not the guidelines and inventions of men. But even though I know them, and therefore what You expect from me, do I follow them? Or is it that I follow some of them, the ones that are more convenient, and disregard the rest?
- Do I perform this new obedience with as much zeal as the Psalmist? I don’t think so. I should be living out my faith with exuberance, but every time I examine my life, I fall so short. I want to depend on Your strength that I may live in obedience, worthy of adoring You. Help me live in the power of Your Spirit. Help me rely entirely on Christ.
- Is there evidence in my life, Lord, of being redeemed by Jesus Christ? I don’t want worldly success or the praise of men. But is Your glory magnified through me? Does my life promote the kingdom of God as a faithful representative of Your people?
- What kind of obedience do I have before You Lord? My obedience should be universal; the obedience of the whole man to all Your laws and commands. It should be a willing obedience that springs from love for You and Your ways. It should be a resolute obedience, no matter what difficulties come my way. It should be a humble and self-denying obedience, performed in the strength of Christ and relying on His merits for acceptance with You.
Further References for Psalm 119:4-6
Deut. 6:17; Ps. 103:18, 119:56; Jer. 7:23; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3
