Obstacles to Obedience to Christ in Christian Life
Obstacles to obedience to Christ in Christian life often stem from internal struggles, external pressures, and a misunderstanding of Christ's kingdom. One significant internal obstacle is the failure to practice self-denial, which Christ exemplified and which is presented as a test of devotion and necessary for following Him [2]. Christ's own life demonstrated humility, poverty, and submission, providing an example for believers [4]. The New Testament calls believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, control appetites, abstain from fleshly lusts, and mortify sinful desires [2].
External pressures also pose significant challenges. Persecution is a recurring theme in the Christian life, with Jesus himself suffering persecution and warning his followers to expect it [5]. The apostle Paul states that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12) [7]. This suffering for faith is often an expected part of a Christian's life [9]. The fear of man can prevent individuals from confessing Christ, as seen in the reluctance of some to acknowledge Jesus due to fear of the Pharisees [3]. Jesus prepared his disciples for coming conflicts, warning them that they would face opposition and be put out of synagogues, so that they would not abandon their faith [10]. Matthew Henry notes that the frequent counsel on suffering in 1 Peter indicates that persecution was a major danger for early converts, and good behavior under suffering is a difficult but necessary duty [12].
A misunderstanding of the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom can also be an obstacle. Some individuals struggle to accept Jesus as the Messiah because they cannot credit the spiritual nature of his kingdom, viewing "the cross" as a stumbling block [11]. Furthermore, the presence of deceivers who refuse to confess Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh poses a threat, as such individuals are identified as antichrists [1]. Obedience to God, which includes obeying Christ, is commanded and is impossible without faith [6]. Peter's initial misunderstanding of Christ's path, where he declared he would lay down his life for Jesus but failed to grasp the immediate necessity of Christ's suffering, illustrates a human tendency to prioritize one's own understanding over Christ's divine plan [8].
Sources
- II John “II John 1:7 (BSB) — For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- 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 ”
- 2 Timothy “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. -- 2 Timothy 3:12”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 13:37: Peter said unto him,.... Not understanding Christ's answer, and being dissatisfied with it, inquires: Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? is the place inaccessible? are the difficulties in the way to it insuperable? the roughness of the road, or the dangers of it, will not discourage me; I am ready to go through the greatest dangers and difficulties, to follow thee: yea, I will lay down my life for thy sake; whatever enemies I should meet with in, following thee, would not dismay me; I would readily hazard my life, and cheerfully lay it down in defence of thee.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 3:3: 3:3 we are destined for such troubles: Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (1:6; 2:14; Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 1:6; 2:21; 3:17; 4:19).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 16:1: 16:1-2 Jesus had outlined the coming conflicts (15:18-25) so that the disciples would not abandon their faith (literally be caused to stumble). The greatest obstacle his disciples would face was to stumble and renounce their faith before their opponents (see Matt 23:34; Luke 6:22), especially during the dark days ahead (see John 12:35; 1 Jn 2:9-11).”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 28:24: Some believed, etc. - His message was there treated as his Gospel is to the present day: some believe, and are converted; others continue in obstinate unbelief, and perish. Could the Jews then have credited the spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom, they would have found little difficulty to receive Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Multitudes of those now called Christians can more easily credit Jesus as the Messiah than believe the spiritual nature of his kingdom. The cross is the great stumbling block: millions expect Jesus and his kingdom who cannot be persuaded t”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 4:12: The frequent repetition of counsel and comfort to Christians, considered as sufferers, in every chapter of this epistle, shows that the greatest danger these new converts were in arose from the persecutions to which their embracing Christianity exposed them. The good behaviour of Christians under sufferings is the most difficult part of their duty, but yet necessary both for the honour of Christ and their own comfort; and therefore the apostle, having extorted them in the former part of this chapter to the great duty of mortification, comes here to direct them in”