Unlimited: The Obedience That Comes from Faith
Jan 30, 2024 262
so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 16:26b)
God wants everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, to be saved, as Paul explained to Timothy,
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:2–4.)
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul explained that the salvation that God offers can only be obtained through faith, and not by works. That’s why his letter to the Romans says so much about faith, and not quite as much about the topic of obedience. Here, at the end of his letter, he reminds us again that obedience is important, and he explains to us the proper relationship between faith and obedience.
Faith comes first. Obedience is the result of faith.
Obedience is the result of faith.
God wants us to be obedient. However, he wants obedience that comes from the right motivation. God’s focus is always first on what is going on in our hearts, and not on our external performance (1 Sam. 16:7.)
The obedience that God wants is the right kind of obedience. God doesn’t want the obedience that comes from trying to win his approval. This kind of obedience, while seemingly virtuous in the eyes of others, can only condemn us before God. God wants the obedience that comes from faith.
Spiritual Application
Reflect carefully on how you view your obedience to God. Does it proceed from your trust relationship with Christ? Is there any element of your obedience in which you are seeking to win God’s favour?
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