Hear And Obey

People tend to have a love/hate relationship with rules. We know we need them. We certainly know that other people need them. But we don’t necessarily like them. Unless, of course, they serve our own purposes of control or power. Then we wield them with an air of superiority, usually ignoring them in our own lives when others aren’t watching.

Such was the case with the ruling religious leaders when Jesus arrived on the scene. In Matthew 23, Jesus excoriated them for having “seated themselves in the chair of Moses,” an allusion to the Law, and declared “they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders” (verses 2,4). The rest of the chapter is one of the most brutal and poignant prophecies in the New Testament. And yet early in His ministry, He told His disciples, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

What exactly was Jesus up to?

The writer of Hebrews later explained it to the Jews by saying, “For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19). What is this “better hope”? It is a reconciliation to God not through works, but through faith. And the object of that faith is not a rule, routine, or ritual. It is the person of Jesus Christ.

That faith, however, is not without action. It is not a lawlessness devoid of morality. Instead, it is a new code of conduct motived by love, not rules.

John laid it out beautifully in his first letter to believers dealing with a myriad of false teachings. He wrote, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 1:1-5).

Here we see the intersection of our faith in Christ with a response born of love. We do what He says. And He kept it pretty simple. An expert in the Mosaic Law tested Jesus by asking, “Which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus condensed 613 laws into two. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” which comes from Deuteronomy 6:5, and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” which comes from Leviticus 19:18. He added, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). That’s a radical shift. Love God, love others. Do those two things and you meet the stringent requirements of old.

Even more so, Jesus also brought a new dynamic that results in obedience, yet hinges not on law but relationship. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me,” He said in John 10:27. To his close disciples, He said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

This is not strictly rule-keeping. This is an ongoing practice of hearing and obeying. This requires relationship and communion. It is motivated not by obligation or fear, but enthusiasm and love. It does not breed resentment or pride, but humility and joy.

Hebrews 10:1 describes the Old Covenant Law as “a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things.” In Christ’s model of hearing and obeying, we see the illuminated form. And it is good.

This is foundational to kingdom living. First, fall in love with God the Father. Next, share the love you’ve experienced with those around you. Through it all, soak your mind in His word, relying on the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Put Jesus’ words into action. Listen to the Spirit in your daily interactions. When you sense His direction, act on it.

You will make still mistakes. God knows this. When you do, confess it, correct it, and move on. Know that “sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). You are forgiven. God’s grace carries you. Your right-standing comes not from your perfection, but Christ’s. You are free from the burden of the Law. Simply listen for His voice and do what He says. And enjoy it.