Obeying the commands of Christ has gotten a bad rap over the centuries. The doctrine of faith only has convinced untold millions that obedience does not have a place in obtaining the salvation of Christ. Even a casual reading of the New Testament shows repeated emphasis on obeying the commands of God and the failure to be saved without it (Matt 7:21-23; Jno 8:31-32; 14:15; Acts 2:37-38; Heb 5:8-9; etc.).

Here are a few things obedience is not:

1) Obeying God is not earning salvation. Sinners cannot earn their salvation (Eph 2:9). Since all of us have sinned, we all need God’s grace to be saved. We are “justified freely by His grace” (Rom 3:23-24). We glory in the grace of God; without it we would be lost (Eph 2:5-8). Yet, it is also clear that although God loves the whole world, not everyone will be saved (Matt 7:13-14). This is because the reception of God’s grace is conditional; it is obtained “through faith” (Eph 2:8). The faith that saves is the faith that obeys (see Hebrews 11 for the obedient nature of saving faith). Obeying God’s conditions of salvation shows the humble heart of the “unprofitable servant” who does his duty (Lk 17:10; Mk 16:16; Acts 22:16).

2) Obeying God is not earning credits against future sin. “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezek 18:20-24). We should not think that “I am obedient most of the time” so if I sin it will not harm anything. The wages of sin is death, and willful sin brings God’s sure punishment (Rom 6:23; Heb 10:26-31). The one who plans to sin by relying on past obedience is deceived (Heb 3:13).

3) Obeying God is not self-defined service. It is not self-righteousness. We have no right to decide for ourselves what part of Christ’s will to obey or how to obey it. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of sin by binding their traditions on others as to how they thought the commands of God should be obeyed (Matt 15:1-9; Jno 5:10, 16-18). We cannot say, “I’ll obey God my own way” as an excuse for not following the commands revealed in the word of Christ. Such is “self-imposed religion” that does not honor God (Col 2:20-23).

4) Obeying God is not impossible. Some apparently equate obedience with “sinless perfection”; it is not. It depends upon God’s grace as it trusts God’s word and does what He commands (Heb 11:7).

Obeying Christ is not a bad thing, it is a necessary thing. Without obedience we will not receive His salvation (Heb 5:8-9). With obedience we show our faith in the God of grace who saves us by His mercy (Jas 2:18, 24). He calls on you to purify your soul by obeying the truth of the gospel (1 Pet 1:22-23).

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

A Gentile Woman's Faith (Matt 15:21-28)

1. The Savior came to save all sinners, 1 Tim 4:10 (Mk 16:15; Rom 1:16).
2. Jesus came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, Matt 15:24 (Jno 10:15-16).
3. Matt 15:21-28: The power of faith and the Savior’s willingness to save all who come to Him in faith. (Mk 7:24-30)

I. THE GENTILE WOMAN.

  A. Circumstances, Matt 15:22 (Mk 7:26)
  B. Her Trouble, Matt 15:22.
  C. Her Faith.
    1. She had faith to come to Jesus.
    2. She had faith to ask for help from Jesus, 15:22.
    3. She had faith to listen to Jesus, 15:23-26 (Matt 13:9).
    4. She had faith to persist and not leave Jesus, 15:23-27; Lk 15:17-19.

II. THE DISCIPLES.

  A. They Seemed Anxious to Protect their Distinction and Separation, 2 Cor 6:17-18; Ep 5:11; Gal 6:1; 1 Ths 5:14-15
  B. They were Dismissive of the Gentile Woman, 15:23; Mk 7:24-25; Jas 2:1-4.

III. JESUS. (Matt 11:28-30)

  A. Hears and Responds to Cries for Mercy, Heb 2:16-17; 4:14-16.
  B. Delay is not Denial, but an Opportunity to Show our Faith, 15:23; Jas 1:2-3 (Rev 6:9-11).
  C. Explained His Purpose, 15:24, 26.
  D. Jesus Blessed the Woman for Her “Great” Faith, 15:28; Acts 16:33; 22:16.

Conclusion
    Savior and salvation is accessible to all who come to Him in faith for mercy, Lk 19:10.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Lost!
Joe R. Price

An 81-year old Australian said he “just went out on the road to have a drive, a nice peaceful drive”, but he was lost. He drove almost 400 miles before asking a policeman for help. He took a wrong turn on a major highway and just kept on driving. He told reporters “he did not need a satellite navigation device as he'd only been lost once.” (“Lost man drives nine hours to get newspaper”, reuters.com).

This reminds us of some important things to do when it comes to our journey toward eternity:

1) Know where you are and where you are going. The truth is we are all on a journey that will bring us face to face with death, judgment and eternity (Heb 9:27). Do you know where you want to go? You’re choices are heaven or hell (Matt 25:46). This man may have told himself he was not lost, but the reality is he was. When someone with knowledge (the policeman) told him where he was he knew he was not going in the right direction. When the Bible tells us we are not going to heaven because of our sin we need to listen. God’s word tells us where we are and where we are headed (Matt 7:13-14, 21-23; Jno 14:6; Mk 16:15-16).

2) Stop if you are going in the wrong direction. It does no good to keep on going in the same direction when you are lost! The Bible says to repent to be saved (Acts 17:30). This change of heart means one will stop his or her sin and start following Christ (Acts 26:20).

3) Ask directions. Jesus is the way to the Father (Jno 14:6). His word is the light that shows the way to heaven (Jno 8:12; 1 Jno 1:7). The Ethiopian asked directions and was saved when he obeyed (Acts 8:30-38). The Bible shows you the way to salvation and eternal life (Rom 1:16-17). Follow it (Heb 5:9).

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Created by Chuck Sibbing.  11/23/2009