Obedience, often regarded as a virtue in Christian thought, reflects trust and alignment with God’s will, but its value depends on motives and context, raising questions about when disobedience might be morally right.
Obedience is often seen as a virtue, but the answer depends on the context in which obedience is practiced and the principles guiding it. In a Christian framework, obedience to God is considered a core virtue, reflecting trust, submission, and alignment with His will (John 14:15, Romans 6:16). However, obedience becomes problematic when it compromises moral integrity or aligns with unjust authority.
This raises questions worth exploring: Is obedience inherently virtuous, or does its value depend on the motives and outcomes of that obedience? When might disobedience be the more virtuous choice?
Romans 6:15-16 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
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? KJV
Obedience is a requirement.
For it leads us to righteousness.
It’s the turn part of salvation.
God gives us the faith to believe.
Our first step is to use that faith to turn, and walk in the newness of life.
If we haven’t turned from our sin, and we are still living in sin without conviction, then are we really saved?
Now I am not talking about someone who struggling with a habitual sin, and has to ask forgiveness over and over again.
Habitat sin can be tough to overcome.
But as long as the person is trying, how many times will God forgive them?
Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. KJV
The struggle God will forgive.
We still need to ask.
But God is faithful to His Word.
Habitual sin without conviction is a sign of unbelief.
So, obedience also an outward appearance of our salvation.
It becomes our unspoken witness.
We can talk about Jesus all we want.
However, when we walk in the newness of life that salvation has given us, our obedience to God’s Word becomes a witness to others.
At the most basic level, children should obey their parents. God is love. God’s love is fatherly. A young man, he may have a fear of his dad. A young man’s fear of his dad may reflect developing a fear of God.
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee (Deuteronomy 8:5)
Given a man develops a fear of his dad, he may have developed a respect for the law. Christians are to be law abiding. (Romans 13)(1 Peter 2) That was law abiding even in a pagan society.
When it comes to marriage, men are to be meek to God, women meek to their husbands. (1 Corinthians 11:3) There is a relationship there. There are a lot of allegories between faith and marriage.
Christians in Pagan Rome, at times, they were put into a predicament. When they went to court, they may have had to show deference to the Imperial Cult. Many Christians refused to call the Emperor a god. This is a place where disobedience to authority would be ok.
God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He puts authorities into place. Man should be law abiding, doing good, showing a good example, so that other may choose God.
