Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1060
Faith And Obedience
by Larry Ray Hafley
Denominational disciples have forever been unable to see that faith and obedience are not opposed to one another. They breathe the word faith like it was a feeling and avoid the word obedience like it was a disease. Concerning faith, they pervert Paul. Considering obedience, they jumble James. "Faith," they declare, "saves by itself alone." Thus, they see obedience as a stumbling-stone.
While fully, freely acknowledging a distinction between simple belief in Christ and overt acts of obedience, gospel preachers have sought to show that "the faith that saves is the faith that obeys." Numerous New Testament passages plainly present the truthfulness of such teaching. Let us examine a select few.
(1)Acts 15:9 And 1 Peter 1:22-When reviewing the fact of Gentile regeneration, Peter said, "God...put no difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles), purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9). However, when he wrote to the Christians scattered over a wide area, he said, "ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth" (1 Pet. 1:22). Are we to conclude that there are two modes of purifying, sanctifying, and justifying the soul? No, for one is forgiven by faith when he obeys the gospel (Rom. 5:1, 6:17, 18; 1 Pet. 3:21; 4:17, 18).
(2)1 Peter 1:9 And Hebrews 10:36-In 1 Peter 1:9 we learn that the "end" (consummation, fulfillment) of faith is "the salvation of your souls." A parallel pronouncement is placed in verse 36 of Hebrews 10. "For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." The fruition of faith and the object of obedience equals "the promise," the "salvation of your souls."
(3)Romans 1:8 And 16:19-Paul told the Romans "that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" (Rom. 1:8). But in concluding the same epistles he said, "your obedience is come abroad unto all men" (Rom. 16:19). Here we find faith and obedience interchangeably entwined. The faith of the Romans was manifested by their obedience likewise manifested their faith (Jas. 2:18).
(4)Galatians 5:6 And 1 Corinthians 7:19-Note these unmistakably, synonymous texts. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6). "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God" (1 Cor. 7:19). Does faith which does not work avail, or profit? No, for "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (Jas. 2:17). What avails, what is it that is acceptable unto God? "Faith that worketh by love," and "keeping...the commandments of God," that is what is approved of God. Having faith without being obedient is like having a dry bar of soap with no water. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:34, 35).
Faith and obedience cannot be separated. "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (Jas. 2:24, 26).
