God's desire is for us to obey Him. However, to 'obey' does not have the same meaning as one might think. God desires obedience so that we live a life that is without chaos. We often think it is blind obedience we are to have. In so doing, we never believe we can obey nor is He ever pleased with us. God does want obedience, however He does not require it to be blind obedience. We see this in several verses and in particular, Isaiah 1:18.
Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Reason: to argue; causatively to decide, justify or convince:
Obedient: to hear intelligently, understand, consent, consider, be content.
The Hebrew words indicates that God wants us to reason with Him, to argue, to understand and be content with what we are hearing.
I recently had a young man come to me for counsel. We dialoged about the solution to some of his problems. He inquired if he had to follow my counsel. I advised him that if he came for counseling and I gave him a solution to his dilemma, he had an opportunity to argue the merits of the counsel. It was my obligation to explain thoroughly and articulately my remedy. He was required to 'hear' me but my role was to convince him that my solution would work. If he didn't understand or didn't agree, he was not obligated however, once he was convinced and left the session, he was required to follow. The principle is that I am required to convince him that my solution would work. He needed to be content with, understand and convicted with what I advised.
The believer is also required to "'obey' them that have rule over you and submit themselves..." Heb 13:17.
The same principle applies here. The word obey is 'peitho' and the meaning is: to convince (by argument, by analogy to pacify or conciliate (stop someone from being angry or discontent, act as mediator), persuade, trust, yield.
It is incumbent upon those that rule to convince, mediate with and persuade those under their rule. It is abhorrent of them to dictate or require blind obedience.
This is played out in Paul's writing to Timothy when he pens the qualifications for those who rule: "One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how [experientially] to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil". 1 Timothy 3
The principle, again, is that the father must rule his house, wife and children, by the same approach, not requiring blind obedience but rather by an appeal, argument, analogy, conciliating and convincing. If he does not learn and know how to do this with his family, he will not know how to do this with the Believer of whom he is responsible.
Lastly, we see that the wives, children and slaves (involuntarily or voluntarily) are told to 'obey'.
The Greek word for this action is: hupakouō
The meaning of this word is: To hear under, to listen attentively, heed or conform; be reported, understand.
The one in authority, if the husband, parent or master, must have an audience and must give clear instruction and reasoning and reference so that the hearer can understand. The subordinate person is required to listen attentively.
The theme in these Scriptures is not a domineering tyrant but rather a kind leader who 'knows his flock', be it in the assembly of Believers or the home.
He leads by communicating with those under him with conversation and convincing and dialog. I propose that the subordinate is not required to comply by blind obedience but rather by being convinced of an action.
The thought behind obedience is not to do what one is told, without question but with reason and reasoning through a command. I have seen youth whose parents want ultimate control over their lives but don't give them a reason for making them obey. Rather, they say, "because I am your parent" or "because I said so". These children often grow to adults who have to experiment with every evil to learn on their own, the 'why or why not', because they don't have a "file cabinet" in their mind, to help them with decision making. This "file cabinet" of information was what the parent should have helped them build when they were young. This is done by helping them make decisions, not deciding for them. It is done by reasoning with them, not by requiring blind obedience.
God 's desire is for the Believer to "lead a tranquil and quiet life in all Godliness and dignity". 1 Tim 2 This proper response to authority is accomplished through proper training and reasoning.
