What role does obedience play in salvation?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
190
63
#61
Amen, that is great then!

But why are you talking about christian growth in a thread which asks the question if obedience has a say in salvation?

If your saved by grace through faith, not works, like you just said, works do not enter the equation.

Now if we are talking about how a person who is already saved, then that is a different question altogether, and should we not leave that to threads concerning Christian growth?
We are to live and provoke each other to good works eg... whatever comes from all our discussion may be for the Glory of GOD and our Lord and Saviour and the Salvation of man.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#62
We are to live and provoke each other to good works eg... whatever comes from all our discussion may be for the Glory of GOD and our Lord and Saviour and the Salvation of man.
Trying to talk about works in a salvation thread is not giving glory to God, it is causing confusion and taking glory away from God, because your not keeping n topic.

It is like me going into a Dallas cowboys football thread which is talking about the quarterback, and trying to talk about the cleveland Indians win streak, which now stands at 21.

1. It is off topic
2. It takes away from the discussion (the cleveland Indians are not the Dallas Cowboys Quarterback)
3. It is actually an insult to the quarterback, because it says he is not as important as the Indians.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
190
63
#63
Trying to talk about works in a salvation thread is not giving glory to God, it is causing confusion and taking glory away from God, because your not keeping n topic.

It is like me going into a Dallas cowboys football thread which is talking about the quarterback, and trying to talk about the cleveland Indians win streak, which now stands at 21.

1. It is off topic
2. It takes away from the discussion (the cleveland Indians are not the Dallas Cowboys Quarterback)
3. It is actually an insult to the quarterback, because it says he is not as important as the Indians.

And I'm the confusing one? Hehe.. American football?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#64
And I'm the confusing one? Hehe.. American football?
Lol, The cleaveland Indians have nothing to do with American Football. Which was my point about talking off topic.
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#66
Righteous works in obedience to God Almighty are the rewards of salvation. Salvation brings the gift of faith to us, and faith establishes the obedience to the instructions given to us for blessings. Obedience to God is impossible without salvation coming first. Works without this faith are dead, and as James says (the half brother of our Saviour) that faith is dead without the works of obedience. (paraphrased)

If we cannot put this together, we have it incorrect.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#67
Obedience plays a role in sanctification not in salvation. Obedience results from salvation and is not the cause of or maintainer of salvation. Obedience is a factor in maintaining a relationship or fellowship with Christ. If we cherish His presence in our daily life we will seek to know and obey our Savior in all things.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
39
0
#68
IMO absolutely none!

Obedience has a major role in our daily walk with Jesus; but has no part in Salvation.
And that has to be done by faith in Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd to help us to follow Him. We are to look to the author & finisher of our faith to help us lay aside every weight & sin in running that race as our confidence should all be on Him to finish what He has started in us to His glory.

Since no flesh shall glory in His Presence, then the crowns we received are His crowning achievements in us as we are the works of His hands; not ours.

So the emphasis is not on our obedience in following Him but on our faith in Him as our Good Shepherd in following Him.

But you are right in that in obeying the gospel, it is after having believed in Him, we are saved. By the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are saved, and by the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd, can we follow Him. There is no other way to follow Him but by faith alone.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#69
Haha.. whatever your point was you made me laugh...
Its good you laughed, thats always good.

But you still do not get my point? :(
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#70
Last edited:

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,370
113
#71
Obedience plays a role in sanctification not in salvation. Obedience results from salvation and is not the cause of or maintainer of salvation. Obedience is a factor in maintaining a relationship or fellowship with Christ. If we cherish His presence in our daily life we will seek to know and obey our Savior in all things.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
jesus say Believe me so you save

if you not obey this command are you save?
 

gotime

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2011
3,537
88
48
#72
so will this same powers keep you saved, r can salvation be lost if we do not work? (This s an obedience/works salvation thread, so they are logical questions considering the op!)
I am sure your questions are logical. But when you add facts to the equation then the path of logic changes to accommodate those facts.

Your question is logical form your point of view, but form mine they miss the point.

In Christ there is salvation full and free. I would speak of Jesus and his work.
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
218
63
#73
My works did not get me saved nor keep me saved. but Y-shua said if you love Me keep my commandments. So I have "works" of you will, because I love Him; I try be His grace to keep His Law (commandments), therefore people can see my faith is alive and not dead.
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#74
What role does obedience play in salvation? It's dependent on it! Here is one example: "With flames of fire (hell) He will take vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of His Son." According to this scripture, not obeying means no salvation.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,059
13,069
113
58
#75
What role does obedience play in salvation? It's dependent on it! Here is one example: "With flames of fire (hell) He will take vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of His Son." According to this scripture, not obeying means no salvation.
We obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. *Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?

Those who refuse to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16) by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) have not obeyed the gospel and will not be saved. *Obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel is not to be confused with multiple acts of obedience/good works which FOLLOW.

The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. The gospel simply sets forth Christ crucified, buried and risen as the Savior of all who believe (trust, rely) exclusively in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation. Those who trust in their works to save them have not obeyed the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel.
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#76
We obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. *Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?

Those who refuse to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16) by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) have not obeyed the gospel and will not be saved. *Obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel is not to be confused with multiple acts of obedience/good works which FOLLOW.

The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. The gospel simply sets forth Christ crucified, buried and risen as the Savior of all who believe (trust, rely) exclusively in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation. Those who trust in their works to save them have not obeyed the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel.
Is the Gospel "salvation" or is it the "hope" of being part of the "Kingdom?" Just wondering if you have ever thought of it this way.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,059
13,069
113
58
#77
Is the Gospel "salvation" or is it the "hope" of being part of the "Kingdom?" Just wondering if you have ever thought of it this way.
The Gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16).

In regards to the "hope" of eternal life, this hope is not some "wishy washy cross your fingers" hope, but not sure I will make it kind of hope. Unlike the english word "hope," the N.T. word contains no uncertainty; it speaks of something that is certain.

Strong's #1680 elpís (from elpō, "to anticipate, welcome") – properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope. If we "believe the gospel/have saving faith in Christ," then we have this hope. Faith is the assurance of things HOPED for.. (Hebrews 11:1). So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life (Titus 3:7).
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#78
We obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. *Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?

Those who refuse to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16) by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) have not obeyed the gospel and will not be saved. *Obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel is not to be confused with multiple acts of obedience/good works which FOLLOW.

The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. The gospel simply sets forth Christ crucified, buried and risen as the Savior of all who believe (trust, rely) exclusively in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation. Those who trust in their works to save them have not obeyed the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel.
If I'm driving in my car, and approach a stop sign, will believing in my breaks stop my car? Not belief without action. I have to actually have my foot come in contact with the brake, and press on it. Jesus's blood is the only thing that saves, but believing in that does not save you, coming into contact with it is what saves you.

Jesus shed His blood in His death, we therefore must join Him in His death by means of baptism (Romans 6:3). IF we join Him in this way (baptism) we will join Him in resurrection. This is obeying the gospel. We die to our self, bury our sinful self in the watery grave of baptism, and are raised to newness of life. It is during baptism that God performs circumcision of the heart (col2), not with human hands, but spiritually with Christ's blood.

Those in Christ will be saved, so how do we get into Christ? Do we believe our way into Christ? No, we are baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3).

(Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I disagree, but still respect your right to interpret for yourself the scriptures we will all be judged by.)
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,059
13,069
113
58
#79
If I'm driving in my car, and approach a stop sign, will believing in my breaks stop my car? Not belief without action. I have to actually have my foot come in contact with the brake, and press on it.
Belief without action is not genuine belief (James 2:14). Now in regards to the car analogy, simply believing our breaks will stop the car "in of itself" will not stop the car from crashing if we don't apply the brakes, yet believing in the death, burial and resurrection as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation will save us from eternal condemnation because Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. No supplements needed. So how much action/how many good works do you believe that we must accomplish and "add as a supplement" to Christ's finished work of redemption in order to "help" Him save us?

Jesus's blood is the only thing that saves, but believing in that does not save you, coming into contact with it is what saves you.
Simply believing does save us. 1 Corinthians 1:21 - For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Come in contact with the blood? I've often heard people who attend the church of Christ say that we "contact the blood of Christ" in water baptism, but that is false.

In Colossians 1:14, we read - in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. "Through His blood" is a reference not limited to the fluid as if the blood has saving properties in it's chemistry and we literally contact it in the waters of baptism, but is an expression pointing to the totality of Christ's atoning work as a sacrifice for sin. The word "cross" is used similarly to refer to the whole atoning work of Christ on the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 6:12,14; Ephesians 2:16).

Jesus shed His blood in His death, we therefore must join Him in His death by means of baptism (Romans 6:3).
False. Water baptism is the symbol, but not the reality. As Greek scholar AT Robertson explains, "a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality." Before mentioning baptism in chapter 6, Paul had repeatedly emphasized that FAITH, not baptism is the instrumental cause of salvation/justification (Romans 1:16, 3:22-30; 4:4-6, 13; 5:1). That is when the old man was put to death and united in the likeness of His death, which water baptism symbolizes and pictures.

Righteousness is "imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised up because of our justification" (Romans 4:24,25). Since believers receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection (justification), and that through faith, believers must be spiritually united to Him (delivered and raised up with Him). *If baptism is taken as the instrumental cause, then Paul contradicts what he had established before, namely that justification is by FAITH, not baptism. *Hermeneutics.

IF we join Him in this way (baptism) we will join Him in resurrection. This is obeying the gospel. We die to our self, bury our sinful self in the watery grave of baptism, and are raised to newness of life. It is during baptism that God performs circumcision of the heart (col2), not with human hands, but spiritually with Christ's blood.
Again, you are confusing the symbol/picture with the reality. Your faith is in the baptism, rather than the baptizer -- Jesus (Matthew 3:11). Seeking salvation by means of water baptism is NOT obeying the gospel, but is obeying a "different" gospel. Baptism pictures a person being buried with Christ and being raised to new life. This symbolizes the person's union with and incorporation into Christ, which is by the action of the Holy Spirit which previously took place during Spirit baptism and gives them power to walk in newness of life.

Paul clearly teaches that what is signified in baptism (buried and raised with Christ) actually occurs "through faith." Christians are "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12). Justification on account of union in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is brought about "through faith" - and is properly symbolized by dipping the new believer in and out of the water.

Those in Christ will be saved, so how do we get into Christ? Do we believe our way into Christ? No, we are baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3).
We are Spirit baptized (not water baptized) into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). In what sense are we water baptized into Christ? In the same sense that the Israelites were "baptized into Moses." (1 Corinthians 10:2) *Not literally water baptized into the body of Moses here, but baptized into Moses indicating their oneness, or solidarity, with Moses as their leader (1 Corinthians 10:2) just as through water baptism we indicate our oneness, or solidarity with Christ as our Savior.

(Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I disagree, but still respect your right to interpret for yourself the scriptures we will all be judged by.)
Thank you as well. I perceive that it will difficult for you to comprehend anything beyond your church of Christ indoctrination. Been there, done that, but now I BELIEVE. Please take the time to prayerfully consider what I have shared with you and God bless.
 
Apr 15, 2017
2,867
653
113
#80
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Isa 59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
Isa 59:13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

Isa 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Isa 59:15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
Isa 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Isa 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Isa 59:18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Isa 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
Isa 59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Rom 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Rom 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Heb 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Heb 3:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Heb 3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Heb 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

Old Testament,New Testament,it is the same thing,sin separates us from God,and the same rules apply,for all who name the name of Christ has to depart from iniquity,and bring every thought to the obedience of Christ,like in the Old Testament they had to be in obedience to God,and if not they were not right with God,and it is the same in the New Testament.

There is no difference in the rules,only the position we can obtain because of obedience,eternal life.Sin seperates us from God whether we claim Christ,or not.

To obey is better than sacrifice,for if you do not obey,then the sacrifice of Jesus does not apply in your life.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity,love in action,is greater than faith,and faith means nothing without charity,which Jesus said if you love Me,you will keep My commandments,and herein is the love of God,that we keep His commandments.

The rules are no different between the Old Testament,and New Testament,if you do not continue in God's goodness,you will be cut off.

Some people think that when they confess Christ that they are clean at all times,and actions,and thoughts,that are wrong does not affect them,for they say sin does not affect their relationship with God,but Jesus said whatever is in your heart,is what comes out,so if they think sin,and do sin,that is what is in their heart,then how are they clean at all times.

It is our thoughts,and actions,that define who we are,whether we claim Christ,or not.