Response

People are to respond to God in obedience, worship and repentance and in love for others. Lack of response from others can be a sign of death, disobedience and defiance.

The response of people to God

Obedience and love for others

Exodus 24:3; 1 John 4:11 See also Exodus 19:8, Exodus 24:7; 1 Chronicles 29:6–9; Romans 15:7; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:1–4; 1 John 2:3–6, 1 John 3:16–17

When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Worship

Nehemiah 8:6; Romans 12:1 See also Nehemiah 12:24; Daniel 4:34–37

Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Repentance

2 Kings 22:18–20 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:26–28; Acts 2:37–38

Response to the preaching of the gospel

Acts 16:14 See also Acts 16:31–34; 1 Corinthians 15:1–2; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Inappropriate responses

2 Chronicles 32:24–25 See also Daniel 4:24–32; Romans 1:21–23

In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign. But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

The response of God to people

God responds to those who seek him in prayer

Psalm 102:17 See also Psalm 3:4, Psalm 40:1–3; Isaiah 19:22; Daniel 10:12; Matthew 7:7–11 parallel Luke 11:9–13; Luke 11:5–8; John 14:13–14, John 15:7, John 16:24

He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.

Sometimes God appears not to respond to prayer

Job 19:7; Psalm 10:1, Psalm 13:1–2, Psalm 22:1–2, Psalm 42:9–10; Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 59:1–2

False gods do not respond to people

1 Kings 18:26–29 See also Deuteronomy 4:28; Isaiah 44:18; Jeremiah 10:5

And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. Midday passed, and they kept on raving until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response; no one answered, no one paid attention.

The response of people to others

Believers should respond to others in kindness and forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 See also Genesis 50:15, Genesis 50:21; Matthew 5:38–42 parallel Luke 6:29–30

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Harsh or aggressive responses

2 Samuel 19:43; Romans 12:19–21

Lack of response

As an indication of death

1 Samuel 4:20; 2 Kings 4:31

As a sign of disobedience

Jeremiah 7:27–29 See also Proverbs 29:19; Jeremiah 2:30, Jeremiah 17:23, Jeremiah 32:33

When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer. Therefore you must say to them, ‘This is the nation that would not listen to the voice of the LORD their God and would not receive correction. Truth has perished; it has disappeared from their lips. Cut off your hair and throw it away. Raise up a lamentation on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.’

As a sign of defiance

2 Kings 18:36 parallel Isaiah 36:21

From not knowing what to say

Job 32:15–16, Job 40:3–5; Matthew 22:46; Luke 20:26

Jesus Christ made no response at his trial

Matthew 27:14 parallel Mark 15:5; Mark 14:61; 1 Peter 2:22–23; Isaiah 53:9