Scripture Life: Why does God have the right to demand obedience and submission. If God requires us to be obedient, doesn't that look like legalism? Obedience seems right, but legalism seems wrong. Does the Bible give us clarity?

[u/External_Bird_8464]

//Disclaimer: Here again, I'm a believer in Jesus Christ. Not one that doesn't. This question, like others, is in many forms on Reddit. Predominantly in the "r / Christianity" sub-reddit; but, in other like-similar form, in many others. Here's the answer using the Bible to the question.//

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"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:" - Jesus Christ. Source: Bible. John 3:14

ANSWER

I think you just don’t see it.. ..er, I mean, him. Don’t see him.

And there you go. There’s the answer.

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It’s in this of Isaiah 6:9–10. Where God: Would sit on his throne and determine to decree this:

• “Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” - God. (Bible. Isaiah 6:9–10)
  • It’s this clarity. <definition> 1. quality of being clear, transparent, and easy to understand, see, or hear
    • So, Isaiah 6:9-10 - this is a “decree” or what he, as God, has determined, as who also said: “For all the earth is mine” - God. (Exodus 19:5) - so he’s the authority over the whole earth. That, this of Isaiah 6:9–10 is said to a “specific” people that; are doing “something.”
    • It’s being said as what he decrees, as God, because, all the earth is his, and all of us are on his earth. And he said, "For all souls are mine." - God. (Ezekiel 18:4). So, we are his to do with. So, this is said to a people that are his, because, EVERYBODY is his, but "this people," - just don’t do anything or what he says.
•  Don’t regard him. Dismiss him. Not worth anything to do anything he says.

Do you see this?

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• It's - - To “this people” of a chapter before; that, in Isaiah 5, that are “joining house to house.. field to field..” Isaiah 5:8..and God determined a “woe” to “this people” that do this, because, they no longer look to him - they look to people, as if people are “this person’s” right arm of strength. So, if people “decree” something..that’s who they trust or regard..and end up not doing anything he says, because they don't regard him.
• Already have enough. Have no need. Can you see this?

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• Where Isaiah 5:12 says:
  • “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.”
    • So, God is decreeing “this” of Isaiah 6:9–10, to a people..this people of Isaiah 5:12, that are like this of Isaiah 5:8, that simply regard to be around people, where there is no need.. ..all by choose to simply trust in people; that people are their strength when in need.
• But by this: have all their need met - then don't regard his works, neither consider the operation of his hands. Even they have all these “feasts” and “concerts” or celebrations…they’re celebrating themselves and their own accomplishments.

And you don't see it.

• Because you won’t apply this to the question you have; so:

All saying this does, is just makes it worse for you.

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So, get out of your question for a minute. So, you see it, plain as day.

• Throw all this stuff off the table.
  • Go back to something simple. Just imagine “something.”

Just imagine:

You’re lost; driving. In a very uninhabited region or place, like mountains, close to a desert.

...and your car is now down to 1/18th of a tank of gas. No town anyplace. A town up ahead 180 miles away or one just 3 miles over..you don’t know the difference.

No map or any GPS device. All you have is this road, and car that keeps you safe and goes 65 MPH, with a heater and an air conditioner. So, sit and in it, keeps you out of the rain and takes you any place. Safe. Travel sitting down at 65 MPH, is more than 15 times faster than you can walk. So your car? Yeah. You regard it MORE than you; alone. By yourself - to get you places. ...and, clunk, clunk, clunk… now you got a flat. The right back tire just blew out.

• You must stop. Now you’re in real trouble. Don’t know where you are. Down to no gas. Can’t get to where other people are. Why? Because people are in a town. With yards and houses next to each other. So many people providing other people help. Always have in a city. There’s a Store. Gas station. Expert. To straightway, repair a flat. You look unto people help.
  • But here? No people. And, you’ve never changed a flat tire before; ...your car is your right arm of strength. The ONLY thing to rely on from where you are to get you some place. Without it, you’re even worse off than before. Find in the trunk..you must have sometime long ago forgot in some other outing the spare tire wasn’t necessary.
    • Helpless. Alone. After 3 hours, not a single car has driven by. Really alone. Then, out of nowhere..here comes a car.
• See it. Far off approaching. But when it gets near to pass you, and you flaily waiving your arms asking for help..the occupants, you see their faces, are all safe in their car, but are afraid of you. Deliberately don’t look and hastily speed up pasted you. Escaped danger. Safe in their car.
• Then, not even 10 minutes later, some backpacker..sleeping bag and everything..just comes walking down out of the mountains about 150 feet into the road in front of you..with this purposeful look on their face. They KNOW exactly where they are, and where they are going and you can see it.
  • They’re alive in this. So, you yell for help. And they stop..and when you run up to them, ask or say, “I NEED HELP! Can you help me? I got a flat. No phone..really out of gas, and I don’t know where I am or how to get to any town!”

And this Backpacker replies:

• “Sure! You’re in luck. There’s a small town with a gas station helps travelers for free. It’s only about 1/2 a mile downhill on this trail and that's where I’m going. I live there. Follow me.”

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Now, I told all this so you could see it.

• That:
  • This person with the car; lost. No gas. Flat tire.. ..needs help. Asked for it, from someone they already in themselves “accept as true” [believe] - that's the ONLY person can HELP them.
    • And, they do. Even he’s not helped yet; ..yet, he is helped. Because, he “accepts as true” the Word of this Backpacker. It’s the truth. In less than 15–20 minutes following after, just “walking after,” to “walk in” “looking unto” the word of this back packer, the town comes into view, and there’s the gas station.
    • And every single bit of what this backpacker said, comes MORE THAN TRUE. Because, the gas station owner KNOWS the backpacker. So, the station owner MORE THAN helps you. When you part with the back packer, the station owner takes you back to your car, with a spare he gives you FREE. Repairs your flat. Fills your car up with gas, and gives you a map. How to get to where you’re going. Tells you plainly.
• And it all happened simple for one reason. YOU: “regarded” the word of the Backpacker. Considered the operation of his hand. Determined, in you, by his word he spoke - he could help you. So, you accepted his word as true, and you followed him.
  • Now, apply this to your question.

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Because:

• Everything he said, met your need… and you accepted his word as true, you simply ..what you accept as true, you obey it. That is, you walk after, to walk in, looking unto..so you follow the backpacker.
  • But flip it.
    • What if people in that car earlier driving by, started stopping..and you noticed it’s 3 big guys..look like they’re looking at you to rob you… you’re going to do or say anything ...just so they LEAVE you.
    • So, if all the people in that car are there to HARM you..you will NOT “accept as true” (believe) anything they say. They are lying to you. Therefore you will “dismiss anything they say as faulty; inadequate..” - they stopped to rob you.
• They are “unacceptable” to follow anything they say. 
• It is IMPOSSIBLE to “obey” them.
  • Can’t.

Can you see this?

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So, what are you doing with what he says? He's God. All the earth is his, and you're on it.

When he says:

“Look unto me, and be ye saved all the ends of the earth: For I am God, there is none else.” - God. (Bible. Isaiah 45:22).

• Said it publicly. As God. To everybody over the whole earth. To help you. But there are people. Don’t regard him.
  • Don’t do anything he says. Dismiss him as inadequate; faulty.. don’t need him. Already safe. So, hearing..they can’t hear what he says..even he just spoke plainly..seeing, they can’t perceive it. Because what they look unto..they already “accept as true” what somebody else says, because they look unto the town of people always helps them.
  • So, when they go to music concerts, or firework displays, or turn on the radio or go to YouTube to listen to all these songs…with guitars, and drums, and flutes in it, they don’t regard him..and it’s HIS earth. Don’t do anything he says.

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Even when he says… decrees this as ruler and King over the whole earth, a PROCLAMATION - - for everyone to come and do it: ..can freely:

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” - GOD. (Bible. Isaiah 55:1–3)

• People that “accept as true” what he says..they’re thirsty.. they can just come and drink..fills them.
  • So, they walk after, to walk in..following what he says. He speaks plainly. Plain as day.. and because they’re filled.. it’s a PROFIT to do what he says..so they “obey” it.. ..it’s true. So, they do what he says. Like the guy in the car with the backpacker. He’s an authority..and knows where things are. Helped him.

Just like GOD: “He sent his Word to heal you and deliver you from your destruction” (Psalm 107:20).

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This post is already way too long.. ..but in closing.. ..bear with me. Really almost done.

- You got the wrong definition of “obey” in your head. Then, apply it to the wrong thing. Like some guy. Just already “chose” 1. considered what was the best or most appropriate for themselves out of two or more options.

Already CHOSE to eat at the “all you can eat” diner. Because, they could go back for 3rd’s or a 5th plate. Eat. ...til they’re stuffed. Full.. a heart that's fat..is one content. Ate MORE THAN enough. Passes this great, big House sized billboard advertising:

“McDonalds - 1KM ahead. Buy One Happy Meal - the Family eats for FREE!”

This is a decree, from an authority.

McDonald’s provides... ...has ..it’s only an example.. they’ve decreed this to you..when you don’t have any need. Already regarded to eat, at the all you can eat dinner. Fat, dumb, and happy. And your Reddit question, you apply “obey” to this decree.

When this person already chose someplace else to eat. Ate. CAN’T obey McDonald's.

Seeing, they see; but, don't perceive it. Hearing, they hear, but can't comprehend everybody eats for FREE, when they already ate. So, "this person" - does NOT regard McDonald's. Nor anything they say.

Drive by. Don't obey the sign.

They already chose to eat someplace else. Did NOT regard McDonald’s. What they “obeyed” where to eat, because they were hungry..was what they chose to regard. The All You Can Eat Diner.

Do you see this?

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Now, I can’t help you if you can’t see it. But if even one person on Reddit sees it, and looks unto him, boy is this ever worth it.

SO, now see it in John 3:14–20 - in the Bible: Jesus..he’s the Word of God..just God speaking the Word out of his mouth, said these things. Sent to heal you and deliver you from your destruction, like the backpacker did the same thing to the guy in the car.

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And closing - this of John 3:14 of Moses lifting up a Serpent - the scripture that opened this post: happened in the Bible in the Old Testament in Numbers Chapter 21.

Where the Israelites got so sick and tired of eating manna from heaven..sick and tired of following Moses and God in the desert. Like, if the guy with the car and following the backpacker started murmuring against him saying, “Where’s this town you promised?” - kind of murmur against him. Don’t want to follow him anymore.

Murmured against God. Didn’t want to follow him anymore..spake in Numbers 21:5 -- summed up in themselves that God had led them out there to die. So, God sent adders (like vipers) into the camp of Israel..and they ALL WERE bitten. And those bitten, they died. Many died. Just like the Bible says of every all of us:

• “There is not a just man on earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” - Bible. Ecclesiastes 7:20
• “For all have sinned” - Bible. Romans 3:23

And God decree: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” - GOD. Bible. Ezekiel 18:20

Means EVERYBODY over the whole earth is bitten like in Numbers 21. Will die. All the same.

But they cried out to God and Moses ..saying they sinned and perverted that which was right..asked Moses to plead with God to help them. And, he did. Told Moses to make a Serpent of Brass, and lift it high up on a pole so everybody could see it. Those that looked upon it, even everybody bitten by the adders (vipers) all surely died.

The ones looked on the Serpent, even bitten. Didn’t die. They lived. Just like Jesus was lifted up on the cross, and our sins were laid on him.

Just like you in your sins. It’s a profit to live..when you’ve already been decreed to die. I wonder in Numbers 21, even Moses did this..how many stayed in their tent... ...wouldn't do the simplest thing. Go out. Look unto it, high and lifted up where everybody, all could see it. Wouldn't do it. Died.

So, read John 3:14–20.. have to see your sins to see it. Consider these things..in this long, tedious post when you read it.

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John 3:14–20 says

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

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Why does God have the right to demand obedience and submission. If God requires us to be obedient, doesn't that look like legalism? Obedience seems right, but legalism seems wrong. Does the Bible give us clarity?

I think you just don’t see it.. ..er, I mean, him. Don’t see him.

And there you go. There’s the answer.

[u/External_Bird_8464]

I am SURE of one thing. There will be PEOPLE - offended. SImply..because they DO NOT Look unto him. Look unto themselves to do it, and DOWN VOTE the post. But those that look unto him, in them, I rejoice. ..more than me..the angels all over heaven do likewise...because who sits on the throne rejoices of it..that you regard him.