Is this true? How should we answer? If we confess Jesus is Lord, are we then at liberty to disobey Him? Does obedience nullify grace? Does it make God angry if we try to obey Him?

It’s time we see what the Scriptures have to say about this vital subject.

A wise man once observed, "Obedience is the only sensible alternative for those who cannot lead." Mankind has demonstrated throughout history that he has not been able to lead his life in the way that will bring lasting happiness, peace, and prosperity. "O Lord," Jeremiah said, "I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). "There is a way," the Bible warns, "that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

No one can read the Bible through without becoming acutely aware that, from the beginning, Almighty God has required His people to obey Him. Indeed, without obedience, a person’s worship of the Creator is in vain (Mark 7:7). Obedience implies an authority to be obedient to. That authority is God. Unquestionably, one of the greatest errors within Christendom is the concept that the Ten Commandments are canceled or "done away." A greater misconception can hardly be imagined. The implied "Eleventh Commandment" seems to be: "Ignore the previous Ten especially the Fourth!"

As parents, God Almighty directs us to train up our children in the way they should go at every waking opportunity concerning His commandments, statutes, and ways (Deuteronomy 6:17; Proverbs 22:6). Instead, in our society today, children are now forbidden to read the Bible in our public schools. According to the latest ruling by the Supreme Court, any plaque displaying the Ten Commandments must be removed from certain places. The consequences of this suppression of God and His laws are filling our prisons with criminals far too numerous to cope with. The Scriptures contain literally dozens of passages in which God appeals to the sinner, or lawbreaker

(1 John 3:4), to turn from the way of disobedience and death to the path of obedience and life.

Faithful obedience is, in the final analysis, the diametric opposite of sin. Obedience is an outward expression of our inward faith and is the only biblical sign that a believer loves God (John 14:15,21,23). "For this is the love of God, "Notice! Here is the Bible definition of love-"that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).

Bible prophecy indicates that in the last days the whole world is going to be tested on this matter of obedience and that once again, as in the days of old, the choice will be between the commandments of God and the traditions of men (2 Timothy 3:15).

God and his church, cautions all its readers to beware of the smooth-sounding arguments put forward by misguided ministers who claim it is no longer necessary to obey the Ten Commandments. Nothing could be further from the truth. That the Holy One of Israel requires all His followers to obey His commandments is borne out by the writings of all the prophets and repeatedly attested to by the lives of His people down through the ages. We would be miserably failing in our duties if we led you to believe anything else.

It would be well for every Christian to memorize the Ten Commandments verbatim as they are recorded in Exodus 20. According to Scripture, the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His Commandments

(Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus Christ came to earth not to rescind His Laws, but to redeem mankind from the penalty of breaking God’s laws (Matthew 1:21; Romans 8:3,4).

God's commandments have been observed by His faithful followers from the dawn of human history and will continue unchanged through the endless cycles of eternity. The Eternal says, "I do not change" (Malachi 3:6). "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Do we believe this? God blessed Abraham "because Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (Genesis 26:5).

God asked four chapters before the Ten Commandments were codified on Mount Sinai, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?" (Exodus 16:28).

Christ warned in Matthew 5:17,18: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill [fill up to the brim-as an example… or magnify]. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."

God’s commandments are, in effect, the constitution and by-laws-the immutable code of practice-of every son who will enter into the Kingdom of God (Psalm 19:711). They will stand forever (Psalm 111:7,8).

God has repeatedly pronounced blessings on all who obey His laws, and curses upon those who disobey them. No mortal arguments, however weighty they may at first appear, can alter these facts. God has laid two options before mankind: obedience, blessings, and life on the one hand, and disobedience, cursings, and death on the other. (Deuteronomy 11:2628). There is no middle ground.

The message of every prophet of God has been basically the same: "Repent. Turn from your evil ways and keep the Commandments" (cf. 2 Kings 17:1315; Ezekiel 18:21,27; 20:11; Luke 13:3).

From its inception, God’s church has been made up of believers who endeavor to obey God. Obedience is an expression of living faith and love and is by far the most reliable sign of true discipleship (1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 11:4; 1 John 2:3,4; 5:3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12).

By contrast, blatant disobedience to God’s law and the stubborn refusal to forsake pagan tradition are the marks of a false church. Those who stubbornly refuse to obey God and cling to a church, group, or organization, which advocates disobedience, will ultimately have to give an account to Jesus Christ as to why they did not obey Him.

Sincerity and sentimentality are not criteria for truth. Satan and his demons are utterly sincere-but they are sincerely wrong. Christ classifies the worship of some as vain and futile (Matthew 7:2123; 15:8,9).

God’s grace-His divine favor and undeserved pardon for sins repented of-in no way cancels a believer’s obligation to obey the Ten Commandments. Obedience, when correctly understood, is

Faith and love in action (Isaiah 42:21; Romans 3:31; Romans 6:15,16; James 2:17; John 14:15). Faith and works are not opposed, as some would have us believe, but complement one another like a hand and a glove (James 1:22).

When questioned about how one may gain everlasting life, Jesus the Author of Salvation replied plainly: "But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).

This correct answer is seldom, if ever, given by religious teachers today. And yet it is the one Christ gave when asked about the way to life. See Ezekiel 18:21,27,28, where this qualification for life is further explained.

Moreover, God uses His law as a seal or brand upon the believer’s mind and actions. It is, figuratively speaking, placed in the foreheads and right hands of all those who obey Him. The forehead stands for one’s mind, beliefs, and motives. The right hand represents one’s actions, deeds, and works (Deuteronomy 6:48; Proverbs 7:2,3; Isaiah 8:16; Hebrews 8:810; Revelation 7:3).

In view of such overwhelming evidence, we are admonished first to have faith in-believe and trust in-God and His Son Jesus Christ. We are then counseled to add to our faith obedience. Our obedience will demonstrate to God and men that our faith is indeed alive and not lip service only.

That, in essence, is the message of the Bible, and it would be folly to avoid it (Proverbs 28:79; Ecclesiastes 12:13; James 2:1720; Revelation 22:14).

In answer to the man who tried to persuade me that no obedience to God is necessary because all we need to do is believe in Jesus and that "once saved we are always saved," I told him, "Friend, if you are right, I’m okay. But if I am right, you’re in a heap of trouble." He was stunned, for he had no answer.

For further study read all of Psalm 119 and the Sermon on the Mount, which is recorded in Matthew 5-7...In these majestic passages the values and obligations of obedience are magnified and presented in full perspective. Study them carefully, and prayerfully ask God to help you put them into practice. Do not make the mistake of following the advice of misguided leaders who are blindly leading millions into error. "But on this one will I look:" said God, "On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2).

Jesus upholds the law

Matthew 5:1719: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:1719).

Matthew 7:12: "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 19:17: "But if you would enter into life, keep the commandments."

Matthew 22:3740: "Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."