What is the essence of obedience spiritually? We might think the answer is doing whatever we are instructed to do. However, this is a very minimalist sense of obedience. Spiritual obedience, which is the expression of faith, is much more than simply doing as instructed.
When we define obedience as doing what we are told, the problem is that we leave unaddressed the motivation of the heart. In other words, we neglect the human spirit and whether it is willing this obedience in response to the leading of God’s Spirit. Obedience, without God’s Spirit enlivening the human spirit, is mere compliance. It is responding to the letter but not according to the Spirit. Following the rules without being immersed in the Spirit does not constitute the kind of obedience which is the embodiment of faith.
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. 8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 2 Corinthians 8:7–8
I can use this example from Paul to demonstrate what I am saying about obedience. Paul wants the Christians in Corinth to give money in order to help others who are needy, and says in verse 7 “see that you abound in this grace”. However, in verse 8 he states that this is not a command. The minimalist-minded will assume there is nothing to obey because Paul did not issue a command. But, it is quite obvious that Paul wants them to do it.
But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. . 2 Corinthians 8:11
After saying he is not giving a command, Paul says “finish doing it” . . . which is an imperative verb! Paul is commanding (imperative) but says he is not commanding. What is going on?
Paul wants spiritual, faith-based obedience in which they are willing, and not mere concession to commands in a begrudging way. He does not want compliance, but eager obedience. As he says a little later in the letter, God loves the cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Within our hearts we find the difference between being truly obedient and merely compliant, though externally they may be indistinguishable . To obey in faith is to joyously seek to do whatever the Master wants, not out of compulsion, but willingly. The truly obedient require no command coupled with a warning of certain consequences if they were to fail to comply. The spiritually obedient need only to know the will of the Lord, and they immediately move to carry that out in love.
The faithful obedient do not wait to be instructed, but look for ways to please the One they serve. They are always moving in obedience while looking for direction. The reluctantly compliant, who are actually disobedient in heart, never act until compelled, do not seek the Father’s will, but content themselves in doing nothing more than what is demanded. Ultimately complying with commands does not make one obedient inwardly, only outwardly.
When we find ourselves among the begrudgingly compliant, we need to recognize our need for repentance, that is, for a change of mind and heart. Even a modest degree of self-awareness is enough to realize when we are inwardly disobedient, though it will require extraordinary bravery to admit it to ourselves and God.
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