Is Obedience Necessary for 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.

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,177
5,727
113
Is Obedience Necessary for Salvation?

Well, the answer to the above question depends on what a person actually means when they are mentioning that very word (Obedience). If When a minister uses the word obedience, If they are referring to the One Act of Obedience of Obeying the Gospel (which is believing the Gospel of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ). Then Yes, Obedience (that one act of Obedience) is necessary for Salvation. Since a person must obey the Gospel in order to be saved.

And how does one Obey the Gospel? By Simply Believing the Gospel. And that’s it.

However though, When a person says that Obedience is Necessary for Salvation, if what they are referring to is obeying the commandments, and living Holy, then the answer to the question above is: NO. Since Commandment keeping and holy living are not a requirement for Salvation.

Obeying the Commandments and living Holy are a requirement for Discipleship and Spiritual growth, but they are not a requirement for Salvation. Since Salvation is not a process, but rather, it is a One Time Event. Whereas Discipleship, on the other hand, is not a One Time Event. But rather, Discipleship is a Life long journey and endeavor. Discipleship deals with how one lives their life. For consider this question now: How many times did Adam have to sin and disobey the word of God before he died spiritually and became a sinner? Only ONE TIME. All it took was ONE ACT of Disobedience against God and against His word to plunge the whole entire world into sin. And so for a lost sinner to get saved, to get out of the Line of Adam and to get into the Line of Christ, all that is required of them in terms of Obedience is the ONE ACT of Obedience: Obeying the Gospel.

And once again, how does a sinner Obey the Gospel? They Obey the Gospel by simply BELIEVING THE GOSPEL. If a person has believed the Gospel, then they have Obeyed the Gospel. It really is that simple, folks.

Furthermore, one of the reasons that what I just stated is true is this. No one has ever perfectly obeyed the Bible. No one lives in complete perfect obedience, since no one is without sin. We all still have a wicked, sin nature dwelling in our body of flesh. The only man who has ever lived in complete, perfect obedience is the Man Christ Jesus, God manifest in the Flesh. Only Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the word of God, as He was on this earth, fulfilling His earthly ministry. And yet, no one before Jesus and no one after Jesus, has ever done what Jesus Christ did. No other man on this Earth could perfectly obey the word of God. Only Jesus Christ could do that. For He was without Sin. And since None of us can claim perfect obedience to the law of God, this also is why Obedience (i.e. Commandment keeping, living holy) is not required for Salvation.

For If it was, then Salvation would be based on our works and on our performance. And it would not be by Grace. You see folks, God does not Grade on a Curve. God’s standard is perfect, complete, holiness. This is why we must have the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ and His word, the Holy Scripture. If we are not as perfect and just and holy as the Lord Jesus Christ and His word (the King James Holy Bible) are, then we cannot make it into heaven. We MUST be as Perfect and Holy as Jesus Christ and His word, the Holy Scripture, are. That’s the only way we will make it into Heaven. Salvation is not of us. It is completely of God and His Holy Scripture.

In conclusion, the only Obedience which IS necessary for Salvation is the One Act of Obedience, which once again, is Obeying the Gospel. And a person obeys the Gospel by Believing the Gospel. By putting their faith and trust in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and trusting in Him alone to save them. And then the Obedience which comes after Salvation: keeping the commandments, Abiding in Christ, Walking in the Spirit, Living Holy. This Obedience which concerns how we walk and live as Children of God, this Obedience is only a requirement for Discipleship and spiritual growth. But it has nothing to do with our Salvation. God and His word took care of our Salvation. And now Discipleship and living Holy depends on Us and what WE DO.
“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?

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16-18, 20-

when you read Paul’s writing you should consider everything he was teaching was for this purpose

“For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if his letters become an argument for why we don’t need to repent and obey God it’s because they are misunderstood

We obey God but do we obey Moses word ?


“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:10-11, 19, 24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But what about Christs word of we hear and believe his word in the gospel ?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:23-24, 26-28, 30-32,

so Paul was saying to believers of the gospel who were baptized

“ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”


Hearing Gods word and believing it works in us effectually to bring us into his will

“when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

Paul again talking obedience

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Believing the Gospel Jesus taught brings us to repentance and obedience so we are saved this does t mean we’re perfect yet or sinless but anytime an argument is why we don’t need to repent and obey it is misled
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
I wonder why it is that people against keeping the commandments as we are told to do always say of those who believe we should as being "obsessed". They are speaking on and on about reasons against keeping commandments, do they think they are obsessed or does this only go one way?
Perhaps it is because the commands that we are too keep is love. People who talk about keeping commands are typically talking about something entirely different. Love is the command. That is what you need to do.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
You keep saying that, but you also know what Jesus said to his disciples: "make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I command." If you are a disciple of Jesus, you are saved. Because you are saved, you are observing Jesus's commands.
You are saved once you are born again.
You are not a disciple, until you are born again.
Following being born again, you are to live a life that reflects becoming a Son of God.
This life would be defined as being a "disciple".

You can be a disciple, and not born again, and die.
If that happens, you die and go to hell.......as Jesus said....>"depart from me i never knew you".
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
I am saved, therefore I am passed from death to life in Christ who saved me. I am not my own, but now belong to Christ. Because I am His, I follow Him and try to live as He lived. The way I live, I am being conformed to the image of Jesus, which is how all that are His are to be living.
You wil be conformed into the Image of Christ after you die.
Down here, you are to become this....>"the fullness of the Stature of Christ". and, Paul teaches, "as many as be perfect".

see those 2?

There is your discipleship.....when its completed on earth, and the final conforming" happens after you die, or in the Rapture.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
I wonder why it is that people against keeping the commandments as we are told to do always say of those who believe we should as being "obsessed". They are speaking on and on about reasons against keeping commandments, do they think they are obsessed or does this only go one way?
Theological obsession is only good when the obsession is with :

1. Christ Himself
2. God Himself
3. The Cross
4. The Blood of Jesus
5. Being born again

commandment keeping obsession, is not on that list, because its not something that can qualify you for God's acceptance.

commandment keeping is all about discipleship, and in that case, it qualifies as very important.

But i'll show you a truth.
Its more important to God that you lead someone To Christ then it is for you to worry about keeping commandments.
Its more important for you to "study to show yourself approved" then it is for you to worry about commandments.
It more important that you give to the poor, then it is for you to keep commandments.

Love God, Love Christ, and let this love be the reason for your ministry.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83


but anytime an argument is why we don’t need to repent and obey it is misled
If you are repenting, then this means you are sinning,
So, in that case, you are not understanding what Paul teaches, and have no idea about being "made righteous"..

Here is a verse most commandment keepers and those who live to sin and confess repent, never read.

"As JESUS is....so are the born again......IN....THIS.....WORLD".

So, does that sound like you are to be sinning and confessing and repenting?
No it does not.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Everyone should keep Jesus's commandments.
Just dont do this to try to stay saved.
Yep every one must keep Jesus command and if not than not save is the it?
Jesus command to love God and fellow man if you not keep His command and hate Jesus can you save?
 
Apr 12, 2021
902
211
43
You are saved once you are born again.
You are not a disciple, until you are born again.
Following being born again, you are to live a life that reflects becoming a Son of God.
This life would be defined as being a "disciple".

You can be a disciple, and not born again, and die.
If that happens, you die and go to hell.......as Jesus said....>"depart from me i never knew you".
You want to argue, and I'm not interested. Be blessed.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Theological obsession is only good when the obsession is with :

1. Christ Himself
2. God Himself
3. The Cross
4. The Blood of Jesus
5. Being born again

commandment keeping obsession, is not on that list, because its not something that can qualify you for God's acceptance.

commandment keeping is all about discipleship, and in that case, it qualifies as very important.

But i'll show you a truth.
Its more important to God that you lead someone To Christ then it is for you to worry about keeping commandments.
Its more important for you to "study to show yourself approved" then it is for you to worry about commandments.
It more important that you give to the poor, then it is for you to keep commandments.

Love God, Love Christ, and let this love be the reason for your ministry.
What the different between obsess to Christ and obsess to His command?
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
Yep every one must keep Jesus command and if not than not save is the it?
Jesus command to love God and fellow man if you not keep His command and hate Jesus can you save?

We are not born again by keeping commandments.
We are born again by the Spirit of God, when we give God our Faith in Christ.

Being born again, is Salvation.

Discipleship that follows salvation.......would be the lifestyle, the works, the commandment keeping.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
What the different between obsess to Christ and obsess to His command?
Because you can obsess on the commandments and not know the Savior.

A lot of people try to imitate Christ, by trying to do His works....>(commands).

A Christ imitator is not a Christian.
A Christian is someone who is born again as a Son of God.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Jesus command believe Me
no body save if not obey and keep this command and stop believing Him
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
You want to argue, and I'm not interested. Be blessed.
No, im just not the person who accepts the gospel of commandments.

I became A Christian, before i started trying to understand what it means to "work our your salvation".
Once i learned what that was, i then understood God's Grace as Pauline Theology.
That's what i teach my classes.

Commandments are holy, including the 10, but they have no power to make you Righteous or keep you saved.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
Jesus command believe Me
no body save if not obey and keep this command and stop believing Him
We are not saved by trying to keep believing or by trying to keep commandments.
We are saved by being born again.

Once born again, always born again.
 
Apr 12, 2021
902
211
43
No, im just not the person who accepts the gospel of commandments.

I became A Christian, before i started trying to understand what it means to "work our your salvation".
Once i learned what that was, i then understood God's Grace as Pauline Theology.
That's what i teach my classes.

Commandments are holy, including the 10, but they have no power to make you Righteous or keep you saved.
I never said one must work to be saved or stay saved. I said you will be obedient because you are saved. But if a person is disobedient, that is a good indication that person is not saved. Do you see the difference?
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
No, im just not the person who accepts the gospel of commandments.

I became A Christian, before i started trying to understand what it means to "work our your salvation".
Once i learned what that was, i then understood God's Grace as Pauline Theology.
That's what i teach my classes.

Commandments are holy, including the 10, but they have no power to make you Righteous or keep you saved.
The Law is a schoolmaster, teaching us that we cannot keep the law because we are sinners. Nobody can keep the law.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
I never said one must work to be saved or stay saved. I said you will be obedient because you are saved. But if a person is disobedient, that is a good indication that person is not saved. Do you see the difference?
What does obedience look like to you?
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
Perhaps it is because the commands that we are too keep is love. People who talk about keeping commands are typically talking about something entirely different. Love is the command. That is what you need to do.
It seems to me that every commandment the Lord gives us has love at its core, rather than being different. If love is taken out of the commandment, it is not the true commandment.

How the Pharisees understood the Sabbath commandment is an example. We are to keep it holy, and they obeyed that without including love. That meant they were not keeping the Sabbath holy.
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
It seems to me that every commandment the Lord gives us has love at its core, rather than being different. If love is taken out of the commandment, it is not the true commandment.

How the Pharisees understood the Sabbath commandment is an example. We are to keep it holy, and they obeyed that without including love. That meant they were not keeping the Sabbath holy.
If we love, all the commandments will actually be obeyed without even trying. Everything is founded in love. If you love, you aren't going to murder or lie or cheat on your spouse or harm your neighbor or hate God. I think that people who want to bash you over the head with rules don't love,... because that is way more difficult than obeying rules.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
We are not saved by trying to keep believing or by trying to keep commandments.
We are saved by being born again.

Once born again, always born again.
What is the different being born again and being believe in jesus
Jesus sa John 3:16
For God so love the worl..... so who sorbet believe will be save

Why you not agree with Jesus?