Indeed, and you can absolutely obey someone without actually having respect or submission towards that person, but simply because doing the command is more convenient than facing the consequences of disobeying.
It seems we're more in agreement than disagreement, so please take these comments in the spirit they are intended - that of simply narrowing down to some more precision:
Although what you say above can certainly true, this type of statement can also be used (and has been used) to lessen the fact that obedience to God is required of all mankind, especially His Children.
Also, I find it interesting how some miss the fact that God does in fact put forth extreme and eternal consequences to mankind for remaining in rebellion and disobedience to Him. I think the consequences are more than inconvenient and to some a motivator to obey Him. Since obedience to God is related to righteousness, faith, love, and such vital things of Scripture, I would do or say nothing to lessen the importance of obeying Him, whatever ones knows about Him.
Jesus did acknowledge, and even applaud, the Pharisees' strict adherence to the letters of the law, but condemns them for neglecting what really matters, i.e. justice, mercy and faithfulness (
Matthew 23:23). The latter things are abstract concepts that can't be articulated with written regulation, and is impossible to draw out from one's life unless they are already in Christ.
I don't think these things are "abstract" or that they are not found to varying degrees in the unsaved. I would agree that they are to be developed in the Christian. I also think that the undeveloped Christian can be worse at these things than some unbelievers. Jesus is talking to a group of religious hypocrites, not making a general statement about the unsaved.
Nowhere did I mention or imply that worship refers to playing music and singing songs.
I acknowledge that it could be difficult to discern, but I was not inferring you did imply this. It was more a general statement on what much of "church" has done to the word "worship."
It seems that many people are againts the quote for its implied endorsement for License/
Antinomianism ... but I really don't think it's the case, especially since the second sentence elaborates that "it" (obedience) is a fruit of salvation, not the cause of it.
My contention with the quote is what I said it was, a clear (to me) implication of a gospel that would likely claim "works salvation" against those of us who stress the vital importance of obedience to God.
Although obedience is certainly a part of the "faith" or "faithfulness" (depending how we translate it in Galatians 5) identified as a fruit of the Spirit, you'll have to identify for me where "obedience" is clearly singled out as a "fruit of salvation."
I think it's abundantly clear from (exegesis) Scripture that obedience is so vitally interconnected with faith as to be used interchangeably at times. Additionally, since we are commanded to believe in the name of God's Son, when we so believe, we have at the same instant been obedient to God.
Simply put, God has covered with a command virtually everything He wants done by us. We don't believe in Jesus as Christ apart from God's command. We don't love God, neighbor, or fellow Christians apart from God's commands.
We begin in faith-obedience and we are developed in increasing faith-obedience.
Bringing the nations to "obedience [of] faith" was Paul's self-identified core mission.
Peter identified in Acts 10:34-35 concerning unbelievers he was sent to evangelize: Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Jesus identified the importance of proper orientation to His authority over everything as "great faith": NKJ Matt. 8:7-10 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 "
For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one,`Go,' and he goes; and to another,`Come,' and he comes; and to my servant,`Do this,' and he does it." 10
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Simply put, at this point, anyone who would even remotely lessen or misplace the vital importance of obeying God, is doing a disservice to Him and to those they speak to.
Anyway, we both acknowledge that "faith" and "works" are both essential, and inseparable, parts of the Salvation package. We just disagree on how we read that particular anonymous comment about salvation. You think it speaks against the need for Christians to obey the Bible, I don't think it does.
I answered this earlier in this post. I think it speaks to a false gospel the OP spoke against. I've picked the statement apart a bit already. There's more I can say about it, but haven't.