NT Bible passages calling for obedience

The other day, a man said to me, “A person does not have to do any works of man or OF GOD.” That statement struck me as being contrary to the scriptures. I attempted to point out that there are only two types of commands, (1) those from man (2) those from God. I agree, the commands of man should be overlooked to be obedient to God, but the commands of God should never be overlooked.

In light of this discussion, I have assembled as many scriptures in the New Testament I could quickly find. Certainly, there are more. To stop the mouths of those who would accuse me of “cherry picking”, my only defense is to ask this, If I have cherry picked, so be it, but tell me then, what do these passages mean?

I plead with you, this article is written with love, kindness and a desire to know the truth.

CHILDREN OBEY PARENTS:
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. <KJV>

SERVANTS OBEY MASTERS:
Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: <KJV>

The above passages are offered first to demonstrate that we understand what it means to obey. Now, let’s look at some other passages regarding obedience..…

INDIVIDUALS OBEDIENCE:
Ro 15:17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— <NKJV>

Ro 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. <KJV>

2Co 7:14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. 15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. <NKJV>

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. <KJV>

1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. <NKJV>

Phm 1:21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. <KJV>

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: <KJV>

NOT OBEYING THE GOSPEL:
Ro 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? <KJV>

2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: <KJV>

NOT OBEYING THE WORD:
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. <KJV>

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. <KJV>

OBEYING JESUS:
Joh 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
JJoh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. <KJV>

Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; <KJV>

2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. <NKJV>

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. <KJV>

OBEYING GOD:
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, <KJV>

1Jo 1:5 ¶ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:<KJV>

1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. <KJV>

2Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. <KJV>

OBEYING THE FAITH:
Ac 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. <KJV>

Ro 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: <KJV>

Ro 6:16 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? 17 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. <KJV>

Ro 16:26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— <NKJV>

OBEYING THE TRUTH:
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: <KJV>

COMMANDS OF MEN:
Mt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mr 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (KJV)

All of the passages listed mean something. Many are teaching a doctrine of salvation “by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone”. They then go onto say what the man I met said, “A person does not have to do any works of man or OF GOD.” I believe in the scripture, Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. It says it, and I believe it. This passage does continue……Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
One more scripture I wish to share with all of you. In the entirety of Scripture, there is only ONE PASSAGE that uses the phrase, “by faith only”. One, singular, only, there is no other passage, and here it is…….

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only. Jas 2:24

Tell me, why is this the only passage in all of scripture to use this phrase if “by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone” is true? Will you believe this passage also?

My only desire is to know the truth, to teach the truth for there is no other place to turn…

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Joh 6:68
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Joh 17:17