What does the Bible say about obeying god?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that obeying God is the grateful response of those who know and love Him, not a means of earning salvation. Jesus says that love for Him is shown in keeping His commands, and that true disciples hear and do God’s word (John 14:15, 14:21; Luke 11:28). God desires obedient hearts rather than empty religious offerings (1 Samuel 15:22), and believers must obey God above human authorities when the two conflict (Acts 5:29). James warns against merely hearing the word without doing it (James 1:22). Yet obedience flows from God’s covenant grace and reveals whom we serve (Exodus 19:5; Romans 6:16), while Christ alone saves those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commandments.
- Luke 11:28
But he said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it."
- Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
- 1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said, Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
- James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
- Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine;
- John 14:21
One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."
- Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
- Romans 6:16
Don't you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about obeying god and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about obeying god