Christian Obedience

One of the singular differences between genuine Christianity and every other religion on the planet is this thing we call "the Gospel" -- saved by faith through Christ apart from works. Everyone else (including the likes of Roman Catholics and "near" Christians like LDS or the JWs who claim faith in Christ) denies "saved by faith apart from works" and are hard at work trying to arrive at "good enough." "So," people have said, "genuine Christianity doesn't really have an 'obedience factor', a 'works' requirement." Not for salvation; that's true. But Scripture is abundantly clear that, while works don't save us, we are saved for good works (e.g., Eph 2:8-10). Christians are called on to be obedient.

"Oh, great," I can hear some say, "so we're back to this complex system of obedience and works." Yes ... and no. Especially no. Why? According to Scripture repentance and faith, required for salvation, produce obedience and works. That's what we're saved for (Eph 2:10). James says faith that doesn't produce works is dead faith (James 2:17). Works, biblically, are not the cause of salvation, but they are "proof of life," spiritually speaking. You understand. We detect if someone is alive if they are breathing and have a heart beat. They don't cause them; they just are. Believers, too, have this same proof of life, not caused by them, but present nonetheless. So Paul tells his readers, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Php 2:12) and we say, "See? It's just the same as every other religion. 'Work hard or else.'" But Paul finishes that thought with "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Php 2:13). So this work we do is accomplished by His work in us. So, yes, we work, but not us -- Christ in us.

Besides having this motive force that gives us the will and the power to do what we must, the concept of Christian obedience actually boils down to two simple tasks and, in the end, one single word. We are to love God with all that we are and love one another in the same way we love ourselves. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt 22:37-40). Simple. Love God and love those around you. Even simpler -- love. And ... not. Because the standard of "love" isn't the human standard -- "feel warmly." The standard is Christ, who gave Himself up for us. Peter put it this way. "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart" (1 Peter 1:22). Love one another. Love earnestly. Love from a pure heart. That is fundamental Christian obedience, powered by God. Easy, right? Yes ... and no.