Cultivating Obedience and Trust in God's Sovereignty
Cultivating Obedience and Trust in God's Sovereignty
Cultivating obedience and trust in God's sovereignty is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of following God's commandments and trusting in His goodness. The Psalmist encourages believers to "trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" [2]. This faithfulness is closely tied to obedience, as seen in the exhortation to "obey God" and "keep his commandments" as a demonstration of love for God and His children (1 John 5:2) [3].
The biblical basis for obedience is multifaceted. It is commanded by God (Deuteronomy 13:4) and includes obeying His voice, law, and the gospel [1]. Obedience is not merely a duty but is also a characteristic of those who belong to Christ, indicating a genuine relationship with Him (1 John 2:3-6) [4]. The apostle John emphasizes that obedience is a natural outcome of loving God and knowing Christ.
The cultivation of obedience is closely linked to the fear of the Lord, which is a theme in Proverbs. Matthew Henry notes that fearing the Lord involves a humble subjection to God's government, avoiding self-conceit, and being ruled by one's religion [5]. This fear produces a holy security and serenity of mind, enabling believers to maintain their purity and peace amidst challenges [7].
Children are taught to obey their parents as a fundamental aspect of their religious upbringing, reflecting the broader principle of submitting to God's authority. The apostle Paul instructs children to obey their parents, citing this as a commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:1-3) [6]. This parental obedience is seen as a training ground for obeying God.
The connection between obedience and trust is also evident in the understanding that God's grace disciplines believers, teaching them to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world [8]. This disciplining aspect of grace is essential for cultivating the kind of obedience that reflects trust in God's sovereignty.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
- Psalms “Psalms 37:3 (BSB) — Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”
- I John “I John 5:2 (Geneva1599) — In this we know that we loue the children of God, when we loue God, and keepe his commandements.”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 3:7: We have here before us three exhortations, each of them enforced with a good reason: - I. We must live in a humble and dutiful subjection to God and his government (Pro 3:7): "Fear the Lord, as your sovereign Lord and Master; be ruled in every thing by your religion and subject to the divine will." This must be, 1. A humble subjection: Be not wise in thy own eyes. Note, There is not a greater enemy to the power of religion, and the fear of God in the heart, than conceitedness of our own wisdom. Those that have an opinion of their own sufficiency think it below t”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 6:1: Here we have further directions concerning relative duties, in which the apostle is very particular. I. The duty of children to their parents. Come, you children, hearken to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The great duty of children is to obey their parents (Eph 6:1), parents being the instruments of their being, God and nature having given them an authority to command, in subserviency to God; and, if children will be obedient to their pious parents, they will be in a fair way to be pious as they are. That obedience which God demands from their childr”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 14:26: In these two verses we are invited and encouraged to live in the fear of God by the advantages which attend a religious life. The fear of the Lord is here put for all gracious principles, producing gracious practices. 1. Where this reigns it produces a holy security and serenity of mind. There is in it a strong confidence; it enables a man still to hold fast both his purity and his peace, whatever happens, and gives him boldness before God and the world. I know that I shall be justified - None of these things move me; such is the language of this confidence. 2.”
- Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:12: Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is oppos”