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Scripture Reading:  Micah 6:6-8

Obedience is Not...

Intro.

1.  Obedience to the commands of God has been demonized by the false doctrine of salvation by faith only:

  a.  Tenets of Calvinism distort God’s sovereignty and man’s free will which leads to minimizing obedience.

  b.  Misguided concepts of love reject obedience as its opponent, 1 Jno 5:2-3.

2.  Also a temptation to turn genuine obedience into ceremony, ritual, rote and routine.

  a.  First and great commandment, Mk 12:28-30.

  b.  From a heart of joy and gladness, Deut 28:45-47.

 

I. THE VIRTUES AND ADVANTAGES OF OBEDIENCE.

   -Necessary to obey God rather than men, Acts 5:29

   -Spirit was given to those who obey Christ, Acts 5:32

   -Obedient escape hell, Rom 2:7-8; 2 Ths 1:8

   -Frees from sin, Rom 6:16-18

   -The obedient are not bewitched, Gal 3:1

   -Prevents corrective discipline, 2 Ths 3:14

   -Shows respect for authority, Titus 3:1 (Matt 28:18)

   -Obedient enter God’s rest, Heb 3:18

   -Obtain eternal salvation, Heb 5:9

   -Obey the word = won over to Christ, 1 Pet 3:1

   -Saved with struggles (difficulty), 1 Pet 4:17-18

 

II. OBEDIENCE…

  A.  Is Not Earning Salvation, Lk 17:10.

    1.  The obedient views himself as a servant of God, Col 3:23-24.

    2.  The obedient views himself as unprofitable, Eph 2:9; 2 Tim 1:9.

    3   Meriting salvation was forever forfeited by sin, Rom 3:23; 4:1-5.

    4.  Obedient faith is counted for right., Heb 11:7 (Jas 2:17, 24).

    5.  Obedience is faith working through love, Gal 5:6.

  B.  Is Not Defined by Each Person (self-defined), Matt 15:3-9.

    1.  Work out your own salvation has come to mean determine your own salvation for yourself, Phil 2:12.

      a.  Example: Used to silence rebuke of sin; “I have to work out my own salvation”. Yes, but “shall we do evil, that good may come”? Rom 3:8

      b.  Example: Moral issues like social drinking, dancing, immodesty.

      c.  Example: Divorce and remarriage against Matt 19:9.

    2.  Phil 2:12 is about maturity: Bring your salvation to a full accomplishment; a complete conclusion.

  C.  Is Not an Attack on the Sovereignty and Grace of God, Eph 2:8; Titus 3:4-5.

    1.  Saved by God’s power, love, mercy and grace, Eph 2:4-5.

    2.  God’s right to command and expect obedience is preserved and honored, Rom 9:19-20.

 

III. WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO OBEY GOD, Eccl 12:13-14.

  A.  Obedience is the Free Will Actions of our Faith, Heb 11:6; Jas 2:17; Lk 6:46.

  B.  We Choose to be Saved by Believing and Obeying Jesus, Matt 11:28; Acts 2:21; 10:34-35.

 

Conclusion

1.  The false doctrines of men have lessened the place and importance of obedience in obtaining salvation in Christ (Gal 3:26-27).

2.  As a result, many are kept from coming to Christ for salvation and heaven.

3.  Those that do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven; not because they deserve it, but because they trust Jesus and obey Him. Matt 7:21, 24-27