The Bible clearly teaches that God rewards those who are obedient to His Word. While salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), God also promises rewards to His faithful followers who seek to honor and obey Him.
God Rewards Obedience
There are many verses throughout Scripture that indicate God will reward obedience. For example:
- “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
- “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
- “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” (Matthew 16:27)
Jesus Himself taught that God rewards obedience. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said God will reward those who give to the needy, pray, and fast in secret (Matthew 6:1-18). He assured Peter that anyone who has left house, family or fields for His name’s sake “will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).
Examples of Rewards for Obedience
Scripture gives many examples of God rewarding those who faithfully follow Him. Here are a few:
- Noah: Noah was obedient in building the ark, even though there was no evidence of a coming flood. Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” Genesis 6:22 notes Noah did all God commanded him. His obedience led to the saving of his family.
- Abraham: God commanded Abraham to leave his home and family and go to the land God would show him. Though unsure of his destination, Abraham obeyed. His reward was God’s promise to make him the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3).
- Ruth: Ruth left her homeland out of loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi. She obeyed Naomi’s guidance, worked hard to care for them both, and married Boaz. Her reward was becoming the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus (Ruth 4:13-17).
- Mary: When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary obediently responded, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her reward was the unspeakable privilege of bearing the Son of God.
In each case, God rewarded those who trusted in Him and followed His instructions, even when it did not make sense or seemed difficult. He blessed their obedience in ways they could not have imagined.
How Does God Reward Obedience?
God rewards obedience in many ways. Some rewards are temporary, others are eternal. Some are spiritual, others are tangible. The Bible describes at least five different types of rewards for obeying God:
- Blessings in this life: Obedience results in blessings of peace, joy, provision, health, stability, and more – though not always financially. As Deuteronomy 28 notes, “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field” (v.3).
- God’s favor: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Closeness with God is its own reward.
- Crowns: These “crowns” are eternal rewards believers can earn based on conduct, obedience, and service in this life. They include the crown of life (James 1:12), crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), and more.
- Heavenly treasure: Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). Our obedience stores up eternal rewards.
- Future authority and responsibility: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:21). God rewards obedience with greater responsibility in the kingdom.
Obedience Leads to Blessing
Overall, a theme throughout Scripture is that those who obey God are blessed, while those who disobey experience consequences. God blesses obedience because faithfulness honors Him. It demonstrates trust in His wisdom and goodness when we obey His word – even when we don’t understand. As James 1:25 explains, “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
However, we must have the right motivation. We should not obey just to earn rewards, but out of love and reverence for God. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Nonetheless, God delights to bless those who follow Him in humble obedience. His rewards both in this life and the next are tokens of His love and favor on those who trust and serve Him.
Obedience Demonstrates Faith
Obedience flowing from faith pleases God. Hebrews 11 commends the faith of biblical heroes like Abraham, Moses, and Rahab. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Their obedience gave evidence of their faith.
While we are saved by grace through faith – not by works – our works demonstrate the reality of our faith. James 2:17 declares, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Obedience is the evidence of genuine faith at work in our lives. Through obedient living, we prove that our faith is real and bring glory to God.
Obedience Leads to Greater Revelation
As we follow God’s teachings in Scripture, He often gives us greater understanding of His truth. Like the disciples who said “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5), we grow in faith and insight through obedience. John 7:17 says, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” Obedience unlocks deeper revelation.
The more we obey, the more God teaches us from His Word and by His Spirit. The psalmist prayed, “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:4-5). As we obey God’s commands, He promises to give us greater wisdom and understanding of spiritual truth.
Obedience Unleashes God’s Power
Obedience positions us to see God’s power working in our lives. As we step out in faith to obey God’s Word, He often pours out His Spirit upon us. Many amazing works of God recorded in Scripture followed an act of obedience. The waters of the Jordan parted after the priests obeyed and stepped into the river (Joshua 3:14-17). The ten lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus’ command to show themselves to the priests (Luke 17:14). Obedience unleashes God’s power.
Of course, God is sovereign and does not always reward obedience in the timing or way we expect. But Scripture is filled with examples of God working miracles in response to faith-filled obedience. As we follow God’s instructions, we position ourselves to experience His supernatural intervention and help.
Disobedience Leads to Consequences
Just as obedience leads to blessing, disobedience leads to consequences and discipline from God. When the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land as God commanded, their disobedience led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness until that rebellious generation died (Numbers 14:26-35). Moses was forbidden from entering Canaan because he disobeyed God’s instructions to honor Him through proper use of water from the rock (Numbers 20:2-13).
Sinful disobedience leads to broken fellowship with God, hardship, and disciplinary action. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6). His correction is for our good, to lead us to repentance and restoration of relationship with Him. But unrepentant disobedience leads to ever-increasing darkness and damage in our lives.
Conclusion
In summary, God consistently rewards those who faithfully obey His Word. His blessings may include prosperity, health, closer relationship with Him, eternal rewards, greater responsibility, and unlocking of His supernatural power in our lives. Obeying God demonstrates genuine faith, leads to deeper revelation, and unleashes divine empowerment.
However, the motivation for obedience should be love, not mere pursuit of rewards. We obey because we trust God’s commands are best and true, even when difficult or contrary to human wisdom. Our obedience brings glory to God and allows us to align more closely with His will. It yields temporal blessings and eternal rewards – tokens of His love and favor.
Yet we dare not use God’s promised rewards as license for selfish pursuit or proud boasting. We obey in humility, trusting in His grace. For “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). The rewards of obedience are gifts of His goodness, meant to draw us closer to the Giver.
