The Obedience of The Obedience of FaithFaith

• Concept: Salvation by faith (belief) onlyConcept: Salvation by faith (belief) only• Common among Calvinists, Lutherans, etc.Common among Calvinists, Lutherans, etc.• Denies the necessity of obedience as a condition of Denies the necessity of obedience as a condition of

salvationsalvation• Scripture does not teach this concept, but instead it Scripture does not teach this concept, but instead it

teaches the “obedience of faith.” Romans begins teaches the “obedience of faith.” Romans begins and ends with this concept:and ends with this concept:• Romans 1:5 – …through whom [Jesus] we have received Romans 1:5 – …through whom [Jesus] we have received

grace and apostleship to bring about the grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of obedience of faithfaith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake… among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake…

• Romans 16:25-27 – Romans 16:25-27 – 2525Now to Him who is able to Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 2626but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faithobedience of faith; ; 2727to the only wise God, through Jesus to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

Abraham is the father of the faithful, and his faith is Abraham is the father of the faithful, and his faith is a pattern for our own faith.a pattern for our own faith.•Galatians 3:7-9Galatians 3:7-9• 77Therefore, be sure that Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who it is those who are of faith who

are sons of Abrahamare sons of Abraham. . 88The Scripture, foreseeing that The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” will be blessed in you.” 99So then those who are of faith So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

•Romans 4:16-17Romans 4:16-17• 1616For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in

accordance with grace, so that the promise will be accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us allfaith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, , 1717(as it is (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.does not exist.

Abraham’s faith included obedience, and it was this Abraham’s faith included obedience, and it was this faith that justified him.faith that justified him.•Hebrews 11:1Hebrews 11:1• Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the

conviction of things not seen.conviction of things not seen.

•Hebrews 11:8-10Hebrews 11:8-10• 88By faith Abraham, when he was called, By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyedobeyed by going by going

out to a place which he was to receive for an out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. was going. 99By faith he lived as an alien in the land of By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 1010for he for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.architect and builder is God.

Abraham’s faith included obedience, and it was this Abraham’s faith included obedience, and it was this faith that justified him.faith that justified him.•Hebrews 11:17-19Hebrews 11:17-19• 1717By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up

Isaac, and he who had received the promises was Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; offering up his only begotten son; 1818it was he to whom it it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 1919He considered that God is able to raise people even He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.a type.

•Genesis 22:18Genesis 22:18• ““In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be

blessed, blessed, because you have obeyed My voicebecause you have obeyed My voice.”.”

Abraham’s faith included obedience, and it was this Abraham’s faith included obedience, and it was this faith that justified him.faith that justified him.•James 2:21-24James 2:21-24• 2121Was not Abraham our father justified by works when Was not Abraham our father justified by works when

he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 2222You see that You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; works, faith was perfected; 2323and the Scripture was and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. called the friend of God. 2424You see that a man is justified You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.by works and not by faith alone.

Faith requires us to believe in the historical events of Faith requires us to believe in the historical events of the gospel.the gospel.•Matthew, Mark, Luke, JohnMatthew, Mark, Luke, John•1Corinthians 15:1-41Corinthians 15:1-4• 11Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I

preached to you, which also you received, in which also preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, you stand, 22by which also you are saved, if you hold fast by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. in vain. 33For I delivered to you as of first importance For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, according to the Scriptures, 44and that He was buried, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…Scriptures…

•This history is the basis of our faith. Without these This history is the basis of our faith. Without these events, our faith has no substance.events, our faith has no substance.

How can we obey the gospel?How can we obey the gospel?•Obviously, we need to obey the gospel.Obviously, we need to obey the gospel.• 2Thessalonians 1:6-8 – 2Thessalonians 1:6-8 – 66For after all it is only just for For after all it is only just for

God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 77and and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, His mighty angels in flaming fire, 88dealing out retribution dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to to those who do not know God and to those who do not those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

• 1Peter 4:17 – For it is time for judgment to begin with 1Peter 4:17 – For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for will be the outcome for those who do not obey the those who do not obey the gospel of Godgospel of God??

•The gospel is more than just a record of the The gospel is more than just a record of the historical events involving Jesus. It is also the historical events involving Jesus. It is also the expression of God’s will for us.expression of God’s will for us.

How can we obey the gospel?How can we obey the gospel?•When we obey the gospel, we reenact the historical When we obey the gospel, we reenact the historical events of the gospel.events of the gospel.•Romans 6:3-7Romans 6:3-7• 33Or do you not know that all of us who have been Or do you not know that all of us who have been

baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? death? 44Therefore we have been buried with Him Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. too might walk in newness of life. 55For if we have For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, resurrection, 66knowing this, that our old self was knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; slaves to sin; 77for he who has died is freed from sin.for he who has died is freed from sin.

How can we obey the gospel?How can we obey the gospel?•Our own death, burial, and resurrection:Our own death, burial, and resurrection:• Just as Jesus died on the cross, so also we die to sin. Just as Jesus died on the cross, so also we die to sin.

This means that we repent and cease from the practice This means that we repent and cease from the practice of sin.of sin.

• Just as Jesus was buried in the tomb, so also we are Just as Jesus was buried in the tomb, so also we are buried in baptism. Baptism is an immersion or burial in buried in baptism. Baptism is an immersion or burial in water.water.

• Just as Jesus was raised from the grave to live again, so Just as Jesus was raised from the grave to live again, so also we emerge from baptism with a newness of life.also we emerge from baptism with a newness of life.

•Romans 6:11-13Romans 6:11-13• 1111Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive

to God in Christ Jesus. to God in Christ Jesus. 1212Therefore do not let sin reign in Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 1313and do not and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.as instruments of righteousness to God.

How can we obey the gospel?How can we obey the gospel?•All of this is based on the faith we obtain by hearing All of this is based on the faith we obtain by hearing the gospel.the gospel.•Romans 10:17 – So faith comes by hearing, and Romans 10:17 – So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.hearing by the word of Christ.•Mark 16:15-16Mark 16:15-16• 1515“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all

creation. creation. 1616He who has believed and has been baptized He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”condemned.”

The gospel gives an unmistakable call to action that The gospel gives an unmistakable call to action that we must obey if we believe.we must obey if we believe.•Matthew 7:21-23Matthew 7:21-23

2121“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Father who is in heaven will enter. 2222Many will say to Me Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ name perform many miracles?’ 2323And then I will declare And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”practice lawlessness.’”

The gospel gives an unmistakable call to action that The gospel gives an unmistakable call to action that we must obey if we believe.we must obey if we believe.•Matthew 7:24-27Matthew 7:24-27• 2424“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine

and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. built his house on the rock. 2525And the rain fell, and the And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. founded on the rock. 2626Everyone who hears these words Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. man who built his house on the sand. 2727The rain fell, The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall.”against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall.”

The gospel gives an unmistakable call to action that The gospel gives an unmistakable call to action that we must obey if we believe.we must obey if we believe.•James 1:22-25James 1:22-25• 2222But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not

merely hearers who delude themselves. merely hearers who delude themselves. 2323For if anyone For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 2424for once he for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 2525But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.blessed in what he does.

•Because “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by Because “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17), true faith requires the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17), true faith requires obedience. The word of Christ calls us to action, and obedience. The word of Christ calls us to action, and true believers will obey this call.true believers will obey this call.

• Galatians 3:26-29Galatians 3:26-29• 2626For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ

Jesus. Jesus. 2727For all of you who were baptized into Christ For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. have clothed yourselves with Christ. 2828There is neither There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus. 2929And if you belong to Christ, then you are And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

• Only when our faith leads us to obey God can we Only when our faith leads us to obey God can we become His sons in Christ.become His sons in Christ.