Obey or die! ... or befriend?

There is an apprehensive, fear-instilling and condemning message that most church-goers get to hear on a weekly basis - "Obey or die!" And they pay for it!

Yes, sadly the institutional church assumes the role of our local-law-enforcement-and-kangaroo-court-agency. And it derives its right to do so from a long history of traditions and like things that it do. [Mark 7:13] 

In the opening chapter of their book Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of our Church Practices, Frank Viola and George Barna ponder the question about doing church by the Book. They ask a very valid question that the institutional church subscribes to, but is rather unwilling to comment on: “We do everything by the Word of God! The New Testament is our guide for faith and practice! We live … and we die … by this Book!”

And so, we have been told and also not to question what we are told.

Follow the rules!

Never converse about politics or religion. At least, that is the explicit rule in the Afrikaner cultural setup I grew up in.

In mostly all denominations the Mosaic law is held in high esteem, at an elevated level far above the finished work of Christ. It is even broken down into the specific do’s and don'ts to make it easy for us, without concern about the fact that if we transgress in one, we've transgressed them all. 

Guilty as charged!

Repent, or take the consequences!

That’s the message.

... no encouragement ...

... no invitation for intimate relationship ...

... no love!

No Gospel!

It is not even practical

If I would tell my wife to "obey or else ..." I think I'll be without her by at least the end of the week. I don't tell my beloved this ... and neither does Jesus!

There is no good news in this message. And Yah’shua commissioned the Gospel (good-news-only-message).

Then there is misalignment

Age-old church doctrine does not add up to what Yah’shua commissioned. And we only get a slight understanding of the intolerance towards the pure Gospel when we consider the origins of our church traditions the way that Frank and George did.

There is no Good News in the primaeval, church doctrine message!

Religious preaching has turned the Gospel into something it really is not! We look at obedience in terms of the law - like "If you do not obey the speed limit you will be punished" or "Obey the ten commandments or God will punish you!" and many other like traditions.

Let’s examine the word

The word obey is used throughout scripture. And mostly by God Himself!

Obey occurs 1160 times in the old covenant (understandably, considering that this is the covenant of the law) and more than 27 times in the New Testament, albeit the context is much different.

So, where is the alignment?

Ready for a little linguistic research?

I'm still in Acts where Abba Abba, over the weekend gently and in rational terms tutored me about the words obey and obedience.

Peter, imprisoned once again by the local-law-enforcement-preachers and religious mob of his time, says these words: Him [Jesus] hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. [Acts 5:31-32]

Obey?

First, some English

The English dictionary meaning for the word obey is to submit to the authority of (someone) or comply with (a law); carry out (a command or instruction) or behave in accordance with (a general principle, rule, law, etc.) This English word comes from the Latin oboedire, a composite word from the word ob, meaning in the direction of and the word audire, meaning to hear. 

Mmmm, even the English agrees with the broader meaning of the word!

Now, some Greek

The Greek word (remember we are reading in the book of Acts) for obey is peitharcheō, which means to listen attentively; being persuaded; being convinced of the matter; to rely on fully; to agree; to be assured; to befriend. It is a compound word from peithō, meaning to persuade, induce, befriend, trust and archō, meaning the highest power, the leader, authoritative person.

Simply, the word obey means to befriend and trust the Highest (Jesus)! 

WoW!

Apply insight

So, with that bit of information, let's reconsider Peter's words: Him [Jesus] hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance [metanoia - see here] to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that befriend and trust Jesus (obey him).

Isn't it wonderful? No "if ... then ...", "thou shalt not ...", "if not ... then ...", etc. Only invitation to know Jesus!

Listen, there is another obey

Another Greek word translated as obey is the word hupakouō.

Hupakouō is where spirits and elements such as storms, winds and trees obey man (such as with Jesus when he walked the face of the earth) as in Matt 8:27, Mar 1:27, Luk 8:25. It is also used in instances where man is advised to hear (obey) Jesus when Father God speaks on the mount of transfiguration saying stop turning to the law and prophets, this is my beloved Son: hear Him! [Mat 17:5, Mar 9:7 & Luk 9:35]. 

Hupakouō is to hear, to understand and listen attentively.

To obey is to befriend and to listen attentively and understand, to know Jesus. 

There is a word for this kind of interaction.

It is called RELATIONSHIP!

… and now for some Hebrew

The Hebrew word for obey agrees 100% with the Greek. It is שָׁמַע or shâma‛ - to hear intelligently, together, carefully, give ear, witness.

Interestingly, the first time the word obey is used in scripture, it refers to Grace. It is where Father God speaks to Abraham and says: And in thy seed [referring to Jesus] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou [again referring to Jesus] hast obeyed my voice." [Gen 22:18]

Listen!

Jesus obeyed so that we may inherit!

HalleluYah!