It is often thought that obedience holds little significance in New Testament Christianity, with emphasis placed on belief, love, and faith rather than on adhering to God's law. Yet, Jesus Christ Himself underscores the importance of obedience, using clear directives to guide us. He instructs the rich young ruler, "But if you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments." He also declares to a crowd, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" In His final teachings to His disciples, He emphasizes, "If you love Me, keep My commandments," and further states, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." Through these statements, Jesus reveals that obedience to the commandments, the word of God, and His own teachings is essential for Christians of all times. Jesus provides compelling reasons for obedience, linking it to eternal life, demonstrating love for Him, receiving blessings, having God and Christ dwell within us by the Holy Spirit, and abiding in the love of the Father and the Son. Conversely, failing to obey results in dire consequences: we will not enter into life, we will not be blessed, we will not show love toward Christ, we will not have the Father and Son living in us, and we will lack the love of God. Such a state is devastating for a Christian. Even when the necessity of obedience is acknowledged, questions arise about its role in salvation, especially since we are saved by grace through faith and not justified by works of lawkeeping. However, obedience remains vital in the spiritual process beyond initial salvation. Christ, as Head of the church, works to bring us to spiritual maturity, fashioning us in His image as the new man, created in true righteousness and holiness. Obedience to God's commandments serves as a tool in this process, guiding us to learn what God requires and impressing His character upon us. While God's laws do not save us, they provide a pattern of behavior that pleases Him, reflecting His own nature, and prepare us for the Kingdom of God.

Obedience to the Law is a fundamental aspect of receiving God's Holy Spirit. Peter clearly states in Acts 5:32 that God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him, indicating that those who heed the gospel message of repentance from sin and active faith in the sacrifice of Christ will begin to live lives of obedience to God's commandments. Some, however, raise objections, suggesting that obedience to God is not a prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit, leading to confusion about Peter's straightforward statement. Addressing the objection that it is impossible to obey God before receiving His Spirit, the requirements for receiving God's Spirit are repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Christ, as outlined in Acts 2:38. Repentance involves a deep remorse for sins and an urgent desire to make changes in one's life to avoid repeating those sins, which naturally leads to a desire to obey God. This desire prompts changes in lifestyle to conform to God's commandments. John the Baptist, preaching repentance before the Holy Spirit was given, demanded that people demonstrate genuine repentance by changing their lives, as seen in Luke 3:8. Similarly, repentance is defined as turning from sin, which is the transgression of God's law, and beginning to obey that law. Ultimately, Acts 5:32 means precisely what it says: God gives His Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. Repentance and faith in Christ are both necessary conditions, with repentance involving a turn toward obedience to God's commandments. God grants His Spirit to His humble, faithful people who keep His commandments and maintain the faith of Jesus.

Obedience to the law remains a vital aspect of our relationship with God, even under the New Covenant. The law of God is not done away with by justification, grace, or faith; rather, it continues to serve as the standard by which we align ourselves with His will. Sin, defined as the transgression of the law, still exists, and thus the law, including the Ten Commandments, remains in effect. Jesus Christ Himself, as the Head of the church and Immanuel, God with us, demonstrated this when He forgave the woman caught in adultery, yet instructed her to go and sin no more, affirming that the law against adultery still stands. God has always given us the freedom to choose obedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 30, where He commands us to choose life by following His commands, without forcing our decision. Like a loving parent, He narrows our choices for our good, limiting options to guide us in the right direction, much as He did with Israel in the wilderness by providing only manna as food and designating the Sabbath for worship. This narrowing of choices, as Jesus Christ reiterated in the Sermon on the Mount, shows that the narrow way of obedience to God's law leads to life, while the broad way leads to destruction. The apostles, including Paul, reinforce this obligation to obey God's law, even after justification. Paul urges believers not to sin, emphasizing that justification by grace through faith does not nullify the law but establishes it as a continuing guide. He warns against willful sin, particularly in the context of breaking God's commandments, indicating that such rebellion, even among those who have received grace, invites severe consequences. The law remains essential, providing guidance to keep us aligned with God's standard and warning us when we stray. Justification brings us into alignment with God's law, but it does not eliminate it. Instead, it heightens the importance of the law as the measure by which we maintain our standing before Him. Faith, grace, and justification work together to confirm the law, not to invalidate it, ensuring that we continue to walk in obedience as part of our journey toward salvation.