Obedience is a choice (Rom. 6:16). You set yourself up (present your members or faculties) to sin or to obey. A Christian sins because he chooses to, not because he has to. The sin nature is no longer his default setting. He died to sin, though sin didn't die to him.
Obedience is contrasted against sin (Rom. 6:16). To sin, therefore, is to disobey (to feed rebellion). All disobedience to God is sin.
Obedience, once you're regenerated, is the catalyst for character (Rom. 6:16). There is more to obedience than pleasing God in your behavior (doing). Through obedience comes development in Christian character (being).
Obedience is the gateway to freedom (Rom. 6:17). Change begins with obedience. New life in Jesus begins with obedience. Obey the gospel. Surrender to its demands. Then your servitude will no longer be to sin but to righteousness (Rom. 6:18).
Obedience is a heart issue (Rom. 6:17). The heart is the place of choice, desire, want, trust and surrender. It is the place of formation. God wants your heart (1 Sam. 16:7). He wants not only external compliance but internal willingness. Read 2 Chron. 16:9.
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