Those who see themselves as "guardians of the Gospel," and who are certain that the doctrines of repentance and obedience are not to be spoken of when referring to salvation being totally by grace through faith, fail miserably in following the Lord's example! Jesus repeatedly preached that genuine faith in Him would result in a life of self-sacrifice. He spoke of His followers "taking up their cross" (Mt. 10:37-38; 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Lk. 9:23; 14:27)! Now I know that Jesus lived under the dispensation of the Law, and that most "guardians" do not believe the Church should apply His teachings as doctrines for born again believers. However, yesterday I wrote of our need for repentance, and what follows are passages written by Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, on the doctrine of Christian obedience:
Romans 1:1-5 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name....
Romans 5:17-19 - For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous. [Note: Jesus, being obedient to the will of His Father, set the example for us.]
Romans 6:16-18 - Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 16:25-27 - Now to Him that is of power to establish 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, 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: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
There is a test for true faith in Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior: Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). And in Mt. 22:37-39, He tells His disciples the commandments they are to obey; "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Paul wrote: "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:10)!
OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS EVIDENCE OF FAITH IN GOD!
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