Many
argue that, since the gospel is only grace-based or faith-based, we are
no longer required to obey to be saved, and that, since it is by
Christ's obedience (not by our own obedience), the gospel can never be
obedience-based, law-based, or commandment-based.
But is the gospel of Jesus Christ obedience-based?
I
will ask them, We are not saved by love, but are we required to love?
Of course, yes. Of course, we are not saved by love, but love is the
highest principle in both the New Testament and Old Testament (1 Cor
13). Similarly, we are not saved by obedience, but are we required to
obey like Christ too? Certainly. Of course, we are not saved by
obedience, but obedience is the first thing God will look for in a
believer (1Sa 15:22). I have explained it in K110 (Rom 12:16, Php 2:5-8,
Php 3:15-16, 1Pe 4:1-2 ..) that we are expected to obey more (or to
obey like Christ) because of Christ's obedience:
Rom 5:19 KJV For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Php 2:12-15 KJV (12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling .. .. (15) That ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of
a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world;
The gospel of Jesus Christ will still teach us to obey God
The
question is not whether we have believed in the gospel that is
grace-based, faith-based, or obedience-based; the question is whether
we have the faith or obedience of Christ to obey (God) at all.
Rom
16:25-26 KJV Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to
my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all
nations for the obedience of faith:
Why do we say that the gospel of salvation is still obedience-based?
Beside
Php 2:12-15 which indicates that obedience can work out with great
impact on one's salvation, our obedience to God can say much about our
faith too:
Jas 2:20-23 KJV But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
(21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had
offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22) Seest thou how faith
wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (23) And
the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it
was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of
God.
Heb 11:8 KJV By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Good Christians or good solders must learn to obey commands
Does
it make sense to talk about obedience to God without talking or knowing
about His commands or commandments? Of course not. Please think, How do
the soldiers obey their army officers in the army? Of course, they must
obey instructions and commands. It would be ridiculous if we say that
they are obedient solders or good soldiers even if they do not know or
do any command of their officers. Similarly, it is ridiculous for the
Christians not to know or do any command of Jesus Christ too. Some of
them argue that they have the obedience of Christ and therefore they do
not need to obey anyone, including God and His commandments. Obviously
they do not know obedience. In the army, everyone, including the
commander in chief has learned to obey or else no one will obey them
when they becomes a leader. Similarly, Christians must learn to obey God
too as Jesus Himself has obeyed God and show Himself as the example of
an obedient servant to us:
2Ti 2:1-4 KJV Thou therefore, my son, be
strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things that
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to
faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this
life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Php
2:5-12 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
(6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross. .. (12) Wherefore, my
beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling.
It does not make sense to have obedience without any word or commandment of God
Many
of us have heard and preached the obedience of faith. Of course, it is
in the Bible. We have even read about it just now. It is of faith, and
it is of obedience. It can be preached together. If there is faith;
there is obedience and vice versa (i.e. when there is obedience, there
is faith too). But do we know that obedience of faith would not make
sense if it is preached without any commandment of God too?
Rom
16:25-26 KJV Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to
my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
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