How Do I Obey God?

If we really want to please God, the end of the process means we learn to obey Him. But how do we do that? How do I obey God as simply a sinful human being?

Our last lesson in this Bite-Sized Bible course, How Can I Please God?, gives us a look at the outcome of the Christian life: obedience.

Those who follow Jesus obey. That's a natural consequence of faith in Christ.

Before we get into this lesson, keep in mind this is Lesson 3 of a three-lesson course. If you haven't already, make sure to go back and complete the other lessons first.

Also, make sure to take the quiz at the end. It helps. A lot.

And now, on to the main course.

How Do I Obey God?

Sin Disrupts Fellowship

Before we get into the meat of the discussion, let's clear one thing up.

We do sin, even as believers. No matter what anyone says, this is an unfortunate fact.

The Bible makes this point clearly, with none more compelling than what the Apostle John writes. The "Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" went out of his way to tell us that if we claim we don't sin, we're deluded and have refused the truth (1 John 1:8, 10).

Point? Sin is a part of the natural human condition, this side of heaven. We just can't help ourselves. Even after faith in Christ changes us, we still sin.

John also explains that, when sin shows up, it doesn't just break rules. It disrupts fellowship with God and throws our walk off course (1 John 1:6; 2:1–2). We need something that can restore that wounded relationship.

John gives us the cure. He explains that we need confession, forgiveness, and cleansing, not just good intentions (1 John 1:9).

Forgiveness Restores Us to Proper Fellowship

So how does this work? It's a simple and important idea. Here's where the heart of this lesson lives.

God doesn't forgive us to simply remove our sins. That's important. But it isn't the full story.

He forgives us so we can be restored to Him and walk with Him again (1 John 1:7; 2:1–2). Forgiveness isn't the end of the story. It's only the beginning. I guess you could say that it's the doorway back into obedient fellowship.

When God cleanses us, He also renews us and brings us back into alignment with His ways (Psalm 51:7–12; Hebrews 10:19–22). He brings us into right relationship with Him so that we can live out that relationship. He declared us righteous so that we could live righteously for Him (Romans 6:1–19).

Obedience Proves That Fellowship

All this leads to one resounding conclusion. Obedience is still important to salvation. Certainly, salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). What we too often forget is the next verse. God creates us to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Obedience is a natural conclusion to salvation.

So it goes without saying that obedience is what forgiven people do next. Paul speaks of a life where Christ lives in us. That dynamic changes the way we live (Galatians 2:20).

We aren't trying to obey in our own strength. We're living by faith, with Christ at work in us. Because of this, He's constantly shaping our desires and our actions (Philippians 2:12–13; Romans 8:3–4).

That's why obedience isn't cold rule-keeping or legalism. It's a living response to grace (Romans 12:1–2; see again Ephesians 2:8-10).

Jesus taught exactly this truth. He explained that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). So, obedience isn't a way to earn His love. It's the fruit of loving Him (John 14:21, 23–24; 1 John 5:2–3).

When God forgives and restores us, we want to follow Him more closely. We want our lives to line up with His Word (1 John 2:3–6).

How Do I Obey God Right Now?

What does all this mean?

1. First, it means that we come to God honestly when we sin. We don't hide. We don't pretend. We confess, receive His forgiveness, and keep walking (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13).
2. Second, it means that over time, the rhythm of repentance and restoration keeps us close to Him. It teaches us that the Christian life isn't powered by self-effort, but by grace (Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 2:11–12).
3. Third, it gives us a very important template for the Christian life. This is how we please God. Not by trying harder in the flesh, but by staying near to Christ in faith (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:6–7).

You see, if we have to ask "How do I obey God?" we probably have missed something. Christ set the standard for obedience (John 5:19; see also John 8:28). His sacrifice gave us what we needed to obey God. Jesus forgives us, restores us, and then helps us live obediently before Him (Hebrews 13:20–21; John 15:4–5).

Have you put your trust in Him? If not, your obedience means nothing (Isaiah 64:6). Trust in Christ today. In this way, your obedience will have meaning.

God bless.

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