I. Obedience is related to God's grace.

A. Grace is God's unmerited, undeserved favor that enables.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure"  (Philippians 2:13).

B. Grace is used two ways in the Word.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me"  (I Corinthians 15:10).

1. In relation to eternal salvation itself, grace enables us to be God's children.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

2. In relation to living the Christian life, grace enable us to act like Children of God.

"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them"  (Ezekiel 36:27)

C. Grace has many benefits.

1. We enter into eternal salvation by grace.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. Faith in Jesus as Lord brings grace into effect in our lives in relation to eternal salvation.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"  (Romans 10:9-10).

3. The grace of God sustains (keeps) our salvation.

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day"  (II Timothy 1:12).

4. The grace of God redeems us from the curse of the Law (there is eternal forgiveness).

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree"  (Galatians 3:13).

5. The grace of God allows us to enter into a new covenant relationship with God.

"And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect" (Galatians 3:17).

6. The grace of God allows us to become Abraham's seed, and heirs according to promise.

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).

7. The grace of God entitles us to the blessings under the law of the old covenant (we we in faith act upon the grace and obey the Spirit).

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (II Corinthians 1:20).

D. The grace of God enables us to live a life free from sin.

1. By becoming a new spiritual creation.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"  (II Corinthians 5:17).

2. Being able to escape sin.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it"  (I Corinthians 10:13).

3. Being able to resist the devil.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"  (James 4:7).

4. Being able to stand against evil.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness"  (Ephesians 6:6-14).

5. Being able to withstand afflictions.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong"  (II Corinthians 12:9-10).

E. When we need more grace to enable us to obey God, it is available.

1. There is grace to meet our needs.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"  (Hebrews 4:16).

2. We can also receive grace to serve.

"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear"  (Hebrews 12:28).

3. More grace is given to the lowly.

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble"  (James 4:6).

4. Grace enables us to build up our lives.

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon"  (I Corinthians 3:10).

5. Grace is given to enable us to witness.

"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all"  (Acts 4:33).

6. Grace enables us to labor more abundantly.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me"  (I Corinthians 15:10).

7. Grace enables us to live an effective Christian life.

"For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward"  (II Corinthians 1:12).

8. Grace enables us to be strong.

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus"  (II Timothy 2:1).

F. Grace brings us to obedience.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world"  (Titus 2:11-12).

A. All things in one sense are lawful, but not all things are profitable.

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any"  (I Corinthians 6:12).

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not"  (I Corinthians 10:23).

Notes:

1. Nothing will send a Believer to hell, but all not all things build us up.
2. Example: Although the eating of fats under the Old Covenant is unlawful, we may eat them under the and still go to heaven.  However, we may get there through some disease associated with the eating of fats.
3. God's laws are always for our benefit.

"And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day"  (Deuteronomy 6:24).

B. We are to obey the spirit of the law and not the letter.  "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter"  (Romans 7:6).

1. The spirit is governed by love.

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"  (Galatians 5:14).

2. The spirit is actually more strict than the Law itself.

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart"  (Matthew 5:28).

C.  We are to obey the voice of God.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"  (John 10:27).

D. Obedience brings various promises.

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart"  (Psalms 37:4).

E. We all must face the Judgment seat of Christ.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad"  (II Corinthians 5:10).  (the Greek word "bema" means (more of a contest judgment, than the final judgment "kirma".

F. The good stands, but the bad is burned up.

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire"  (I Corinthians 3:11-15).

G. Rewards will be given.

1. Crown of life for obedience unto death.

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life"  (Revelation 2:10).

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"  (John 1:12).

2. Crown of righteousness for living righteously.

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing"  (II Timothy 4:8).

3. The incorruptible crown for purity.

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible"  (I Corinthians 9:25).

4. Crown of glory for shepherding.

"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away"  (I Peter 5:4).

5. Crown of joy for soul winning.

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"  (I Thessalonians 2:19).

"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Philippians 4:1).

A. Faith without works is dead. (True faith should produce some good works).

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone"  (James 2:17).

B. Obedience is a way to witness to others.

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation"  (I Peter 2:12).

C. Obedience is a sign of maturity.

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil"  (Hebrews 5:14).

D. Obedience demonstrates that one is a servant of righteousness.

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness"  (Romans 6:16-18).

E. Obedience brings a clear conscience before God.

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"  (I Peter 3:21).

1. A clear conscience gives support to faith (confidence).

"Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck"  (I Timothy 1:19).

2. A clear conscience enables us to receive from God.

"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight"  (I John 3:21-22).

F. Disobedience bring Chastening.    (Hebrews 12:5-13).

1. The fear of the Lord is knowing that God responds to our every action, be it good or bad.

2. "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear"  (I Peter 1:17).

3. "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king"  (I Peter 2:17).

4. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction"  (Proverbs 1:7).

5. "The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil"  (Proverbs 19:23).