Obedience is about the taming of our own disobedient nature; it is the bridling of our wild and unruly spirit that, without God's guidance, would run unleashed in us, and rule our lives. Our hope and salvation rests in the redemption of Christ and the grace of God which, coupled with the Holy Spirit, brings our savage nature back into check, and instills in us a hard won righteousness and humility. In this way we are saved from ourselves. Paul gives the Thessalonians, and us, instruction on how to control ourselves and follow Jesus; then, in the hope we are focusing our faith on, he writes:
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV