Is having faith/belief obeying?

[Believer08]

When you believes to have biblical faith in God, would they be obeying?

One cannot separate faith from obedience.

Faith and obedience cannot be separated!
David Sproule
April 11, 2012

In a book that emphasizes the importance of faith, the book of Romans makes some of the strongest arguments in Scripture for the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. The words “faith” or a form of “belief” occur more than 60 times in the book of Romans, and the words “obey” or “obedience” are found 20 times. It is especially powerful when God uses “faith” and “obedience” together at the beginning and end of this masterpiece of a book.

The first and last chapters both speak of “obedience to the faith” (1:5; 16:26). God not only emphasized “obedience to the faith” but also used “faith” and “obedience” interchangeably in these chapters. He told the brethren, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8), then he told them, “Your obedience has become known to all” (16:29).

In God’s eyes, faith and obedience cannot be separated. With Him, one cannot exist without the other, for by one the other is perfected and found pleasing in God’s sight!

 

[John146]

When you believes to have biblical faith in God, would they be obeying?

One cannot separate faith from obedience.

Faith and obedience cannot be separated!
David Sproule
April 11, 2012

In a book that emphasizes the importance of faith, the book of Romans makes some of the strongest arguments in Scripture for the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. The words “faith” or a form of “belief” occur more than 60 times in the book of Romans, and the words “obey” or “obedience” are found 20 times. It is especially powerful when God uses “faith” and “obedience” together at the beginning and end of this masterpiece of a book.

The first and last chapters both speak of “obedience to the faith” (1:5; 16:26). God not only emphasized “obedience to the faith” but also used “faith” and “obedience” interchangeably in these chapters. He told the brethren, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8), then he told them, “Your obedience has become known to all” (16:29).

In God’s eyes, faith and obedience cannot be separated. With Him, one cannot exist without the other, for by one the other is perfected and found pleasing in God’s sight!

This is the reason the believer is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. Christ was completely obedient even unto the death of the cross. He is the Just and justifier of those that believe in him.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

[GWH]

This is the reason the believer is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. Christ was completely obedient even unto the death of the cross. He is the Just and justifier of those that believe in him.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Why do you sometimes say faith OF JC = JC's faith instead of faith IN JC every time?

 

[Inquisitor]

When you believes to have biblical faith in God, would they be obeying?

One cannot separate faith from obedience.

Faith and obedience cannot be separated!
David Sproule
April 11, 2012

In a book that emphasizes the importance of faith, the book of Romans makes some of the strongest arguments in Scripture for the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. The words “faith” or a form of “belief” occur more than 60 times in the book of Romans, and the words “obey” or “obedience” are found 20 times. It is especially powerful when God uses “faith” and “obedience” together at the beginning and end of this masterpiece of a book.

The first and last chapters both speak of “obedience to the faith” (1:5; 16:26). God not only emphasized “obedience to the faith” but also used “faith” and “obedience” interchangeably in these chapters. He told the brethren, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8), then he told them, “Your obedience has become known to all” (16:29).

In God’s eyes, faith and obedience cannot be separated. With Him, one cannot exist without the other, for by one the other is perfected and found pleasing in God’s sight!

The primary doctrine of Christianity also know as the gospel.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Nothing else is attached to the primary doctrine.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which
also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed
in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Your obedience is not the reason you will be saved.

 

[Believer08]

Your obedience is not the reason you will be saved.

It’s not my obedience to myself. It is obedience to the faith i.e. the gospel that saves, all of which (the faith/gospel) is by God’s grace (Rom. 1:5, 16:26; 2 Thess. 1:8; Acts 6:7).

 

[p_rehbein]

When you believes to have biblical faith in God, would they be obeying?

One cannot separate faith from obedience.

Faith and obedience cannot be separated!
David Sproule
April 11, 2012

In a book that emphasizes the importance of faith, the book of Romans makes some of the strongest arguments in Scripture for the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. The words “faith” or a form of “belief” occur more than 60 times in the book of Romans, and the words “obey” or “obedience” are found 20 times. It is especially powerful when God uses “faith” and “obedience” together at the beginning and end of this masterpiece of a book.

The first and last chapters both speak of “obedience to the faith” (1:5; 16:26). God not only emphasized “obedience to the faith” but also used “faith” and “obedience” interchangeably in these chapters. He told the brethren, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8), then he told them, “Your obedience has become known to all” (16:29).

In God’s eyes, faith and obedience cannot be separated. With Him, one cannot exist without the other, for by one the other is perfected and found pleasing in God’s sight!

For Christians, this statement is probably true. If one believes in Jesus, one must obey Jesus, elsewise; how can one claim to believe in Him?

Now, the idea that faith and belief must coexist even extends to those who do not believe in Jesus. Non-Christians place their faith in numerous things/people, and their belief follows suit does it not?

The one exception would be atheists I suppose. As they do not believe in anything/anyone, they would place their faith in their "unbelief"...

 

[John146]

Why do you sometimes say faith OF JC = JC's faith instead of faith IN JC every time?

Because the Bible states the faith OF Jesus Christ. No amount of works we can do can justify, but only the work of Jesus Christ. Christ was completely obedient even unto death. He is the Just and the justifier of them that believe.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

[Johnjunior]

I'm going to help you differentiate between the two laws.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 2: 13
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Hebrews 10: 1 - 4
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

That's why no flesh is justified by the works of the LAW because the blood of bulls and of goats cannot take away sins, therefore you cannot be made perfect by doing it.

 

[GWH]

Because the Bible states the faith OF Jesus Christ. No amount of works we can do can justify, but only the work of Jesus Christ. Christ was completely obedient even unto death. He is the Just and the justifier of them that believe.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

GW says sinners are saved by faith IN the atonement OF JC, not by JC's faith.

 

[homwardbound]

When you believes to have biblical faith in God, would they be obeying?

One cannot separate faith from obedience.

Faith and obedience cannot be separated!
David Sproule
April 11, 2012

In a book that emphasizes the importance of faith, the book of Romans makes some of the strongest arguments in Scripture for the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. The words “faith” or a form of “belief” occur more than 60 times in the book of Romans, and the words “obey” or “obedience” are found 20 times. It is especially powerful when God uses “faith” and “obedience” together at the beginning and end of this masterpiece of a book.

The first and last chapters both speak of “obedience to the faith” (1:5; 16:26). God not only emphasized “obedience to the faith” but also used “faith” and “obedience” interchangeably in these chapters. He told the brethren, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8), then he told them, “Your obedience has become known to all” (16:29).

In God’s eyes, faith and obedience cannot be separated. With Him, one cannot exist without the other, for by one the other is perfected and found pleasing in God’s sight!

Faith to God Father in risen Son saves us and then it is done for us as is done for us in Son to us John 19:30
By Faith one, anyone in belief to God, learns, how to uphold law and by that obeys the new Laws of love
Hebrews 7:11-12 =There is no Law(s) against Love. Love from Daddy. PaPa Father given through Son. We can rest from having to do work, finding us doing work, not of us, of the done work of Son risen in us, Father right there with him working out our new life through us, no more striving to be in
We are in and love all as called as is done first by Son, thanking Father and Son as Won for us all to choose to believe God or not, God caries on the work Phil 1:6

 

[Pilgrimshope]

When you believes to have biblical faith in God, would they be obeying?

One cannot separate faith from obedience.

Faith and obedience cannot be separated!
David Sproule
April 11, 2012

In a book that emphasizes the importance of faith, the book of Romans makes some of the strongest arguments in Scripture for the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. The words “faith” or a form of “belief” occur more than 60 times in the book of Romans, and the words “obey” or “obedience” are found 20 times. It is especially powerful when God uses “faith” and “obedience” together at the beginning and end of this masterpiece of a book.

The first and last chapters both speak of “obedience to the faith” (1:5; 16:26). God not only emphasized “obedience to the faith” but also used “faith” and “obedience” interchangeably in these chapters. He told the brethren, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8), then he told them, “Your obedience has become known to all” (16:29).

In God’s eyes, faith and obedience cannot be separated. With Him, one cannot exist without the other, for by one the other is perfected and found pleasing in God’s sight!

right faith requires the person to believe what God is saying if we do obedience will always be the fruit

But we have to first hear what it is he said. One simple example is

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If a person hears and actually believes this word of the lord is true what would they do ? But if they hear it and reject that it’s true and applicable then it wouldn’t lead them to do anything different based on any new belief they received

because they reject that “ if a sinner doesn’t repent and believe the gospel they will also perish like all other sinners “ if that’s not true in my mind there’s nothing to lead me to repentance

if I’m instead convinced by someone “ it doesn’t matter what Jesus said about it your already saved by faith you don’t need to heed his word , you don’t need to even hear what he really said in the gospel , your already saved by faith because he secretly chose you it has nothing to do with what you hear and believe and do like Jesus said don’t think that means you “

then im acting against any faith that was offered to me in tbe word of God I rejected

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Christian’s all need to hear what Jesus said about salvstion on the gospel . Not just a sentance we pluck out but listen to his sermons and teachings regarding the kingdom to which we all belong who believe . That’s the truth of it all that the apostles were later witnessing but often we remove the things Jesus said about salvation and repeat lines we hear from people that are telling us the opposite thing

mans life and death is determined by whether they hear believe and obey the lord willingly and not begrudgingly as if it’s a labor and work to do good to tiebreaker people , which is ultimately all Jesus taught us to do treat other people with respect and decency brotherly love even .

To not steal from One another not lie about and to each other not sweat false witnessing and gossip Against others ot to commit adultery against one another not to harm and be violent and kill one another but instead to treat others with mercy and kindness compassion as if mankind is a family and as if we have compassion for others

but in our actions where it actually matters and has impact rather than just our words . Saying “ I love everyone “ is good but treating people with love is the way of Jesus and everlasting life

We also need to hear the part about what happens to those who reject the gospel and don’t obey it it’s also clear and present in the gospel and apostles writings after

“and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:7-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Truthfully if we hear what Jesus is saying and believe him the actions will follow and well Be walking by faith but the issue is and has been do we actually know what Jesus said in the gospel ? And do we actually believe it or reject it ?

the decision there will lead to the result

 

[Inquisitor]

It’s not my obedience to myself. It is obedience to the faith i.e. the gospel that saves, all of which (the faith/gospel) is by God’s grace (Rom. 1:5, 16:26; 2 Thess. 1:8; Acts 6:7).

I would assume that obedience to Jesus is obeying His commandment, shown below.

John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Unless you have received the Holy Spirit you cannot bear the fruit of love.

So can you believe in Jesus Christ and not have received the Holy Spirit?

Yes you can believe in Jesus Christ, be a disciple, without ever receiving the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:1-6
It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus,
and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they
said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then
were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of
repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they
heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,
the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

So obedience to Jesus is generated by the Holy Spirit, i.e., love is poured into our hearts.

Believing in Jesus precedes the reception of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Salvation is a gift granted to those that believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9).

Boast in Jesus and not in your own obedience.

 

[Believer08]

@Inquisitor, in Acts 8, we read where Philip preached Jesus, and where the people of Samaria believed Philip, concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

However, they did not receive the Spirit in the miraculous sense until Peter and John came.

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Thus, it is entirely biblical for one to believe and be baptized to be saved (Mk. 16:16), yet not have received the Spirit in the sense of having miraculous supernatural spiritual gifts by the laying on the hands of an inspired apostle, as evidence in Acts 8.

However, when one becomes a Christian, the Spirit dwells in their hearts the same way Christ does, by faith (Eph. 3:17). When we let the word of God dwell in us and live a Christian life. Romans 5:5, and possibly 2 Cor. 1:22 are good parallel passages. When they all obeyed the gospel and continued to obeyed God, they would have the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9) in their hearts in having the attitude or the way of life as a by walking according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:1). I believe that is also where Gal. 5:22-25 comes in.

The Spirit is a witness by His complete revealed sword, the word of God (Eph. 6:17), which has eyewitness accounts, and He serves as a witness when we obey the gospel and by bearing His fruit (Matt. 28:19, Titus 3:5, 1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 5:22-23). He also serves as a witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16).

Having a genuine Spirit-led relationship by living and walking in the Spirit is how He also serves as a witness for our day (Gal. 5:25). And to have all of that one would also have receive His gift and promise (Acts 2:38-39).

Having said that, I agree that the Spirit is involved in conviction (Jn. 16:8), conversion (Jn. 3:5; 1 Cor. 12:13), justification and sanctification (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13) through His sword/word (Eph. 6:17; cf. Jn. 6:63) by the gospel of Christ, as one obeyed the truth through the Spirit and by/through the word of God (1 Pe. 1:22-23).

Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the WORD of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We find in the word of God that grace teaches us that we are to be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and tells us that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:12)

When John wrote to the churches in Asia, he said “hear what the Spirit says” - Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22

Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Concerning about boast in Jesus and not my own obedience, I fully agree. Here’s a post of mine I wrote on another thread a few days ago concerning that.

We might differ on what needs to be obeyed and the reasons, but not the importance. In the end, we all believe obedience is essential. The issue becomes when we end up on not agreeing on what we mean by obedience. I’m not advocating obedience is the means and the only means of salvation without the need of grace, mercy, faith and love. When lost sinners obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to them (Rom. 6:17)..they expressed their faith and desire to be saved by God’s grace..humbly throwing themselves on His mercy. The doctrine that was delivered unto them was not something they earned or could boast about. It is of God. The gospel is of God (2 Thess. 2:14; Rom. 1:16). Thus, any form of obedience from a heart of faith that is motivated, driven, and fueled by the gospel call of salvation (Acts 2:39) cannot possibly be one as earning or boasting..and cannot be considered relying or trusting in self. The only boasting one can do is give glory to God (1 Cor. 1:13; 2 Cor. 10:17) for what all He did in providing the means of salvation. Not self. The only boasting/rejoicing one can do once they get saved is with the testimony of their conscience with godly sincerity…by the grace of God (2 Cor. 1:12). I’m not advocating a kind or type of obedience that is boastful in ourselves (Titus 3:5) or our own righteousness (Rom. 10:3), or one that is legalistic or Phariseeish. I’m not advocating a follow the rule obedience with zero faith, zero love and not depending on grace and mercy when we fall short. I’m advocating one that is of faith in submitting to the righteousness of God (Rom. 10:3) through/by the power/authority of Christ Jesus our Lord (Mt. 28:18), who is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Heb. 5:9).

I also agree salvation/grace is a gift of God that cannot be earned through works (Eph. 2:9), as the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD (Ps. 37:39; cf. Ps. 3:8)

 

[Soyeong]

It is clear that we can do works that express our faith, such as with the examples of faith listed in Hebrews 11 or with James 2:18 saying that he would show his faith by his works, so everyone who is a doer of the same works as James has faith in Jesus. So the significance of our obedience to God has absolutely nothing to do with trying to earn our righteousness/justification/salvation/eternal life as the result, but rather the significance is that it is the way to express our faith and it is by that faith alone that we have those things.

 

[Believer08]

So the significance of our obedience to God has absolutely nothing to do with trying to earn our righteousness/justification/salvation/eternal life

Amen

 

[mailmandan]

There is a difference between the obedient act of choosing to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16; 10:16) by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and multiple acts of obedience/works which "follow." (Ephesians 2:10)

Works-salvationists will typically "re-define" believing/faith to "include" works which then culminates in salvation by faith and works in contradiction to scripture. (Romans 4:2-6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9)

 

[mailmandan]

I was once in a discussion with a Roman Catholic who made this statement below in blue:

We are saved by faith - as long as you properly define "Faith". Faith is not simply "believing". Faith INCLUDES: Being water baptized, Eating His body and drinking His blood/partaking the Lord's Supper during Mass, works of mercy and charity, obeying his commandments etc..

Roman Catholics basically teach that we are saved by faith "infused" with works and I hear people who attend the church of Christ say that we are saved by faith "conjoined" with works. Both groups re-define faith to "include" works and end up trying to "shoehorn" works "into" salvation through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)

 

[Gideon300]

Why do you sometimes say faith OF JC = JC's faith instead of faith IN JC every time?

The literal translation of Galatians 2:20 is, "......the faith of the Son of God......." I don't use the KJV, but I do know that it gets that translation right where most modern translations do not. Why translators choose "faith in" instead of "faith of" I don't know. Jesus is our peace, it's "the joy of the Lord", "the love of God" in our hearts, so why not "faith of the Son of God"? My faith is weak and easily shaken. The faith of Jesus is perfect. So let's put our "measure of faith", the gift of God, into the faith of Christ, who is God.

 

[Gideon300]

I was once in a discussion with a Roman Catholic who made this statement below in blue:

We are saved by faith - as long as you properly define "Faith". Faith is not simply "believing". Faith INCLUDES: Being water baptized, Eating His body and drinking His blood/partaking the Lord's Supper during Mass, works of mercy and charity, obeying his commandments etc..

Roman Catholics basically teach that we are saved by faith "infused" with works and I hear people who attend the church of Christ say that we are saved by faith "conjoined" with works. Both groups re-define faith to "include" works and end up trying to "shoehorn" works "into" salvation through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Yes. As far as RC are concerned, no one can claim to be saved until after death. That keeps them in fear and fear keeps them in subjection to the Roman Catholic organisation. I have nothing against Catholics. I've met some who put most Protestants to shame with their love for God. But the organisation has only a passing resemblance to true Christianity.

 

[Soyeong]

There is a difference between the obedient act of choosing to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16; 10:16) by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and multiple acts of obedience/works which "follow." (Ephesians 2:10)

Works-salvationists will typically "re-define" believing/faith to "include" works which then culminates in salvation by faith and works in contradiction to scripture. (Romans 4:2-6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9)

Grace is a gift and gifts can't be earned, so grace is incompatible with works insofar as those works as done to earn a wage, however, there can be reasons that works are required other than in order to earn our salvation as the result. For example, a gift can be the experience of doing something, such as giving someone the opportunity to experience driving a Ferrari for an hour, where the gift intrinsically requires them to do the work of driving in order to have that experience, but where doing that work contributes nothing towards earning the opportunity to drive it. Likewise, God's gift of eternal life is the experience of knowing Him and Jesus (John 17:3) and the gift of God's law is His instructions for how to have that experience, not for how to earn it. In Luke 10:25-28, Jesus affirmed that the way to inherit eternal life is by obeying the greatest two commandments and something that we inherit is a gift that is not earned.

In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and God's law is how his audience knew what sin is, so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message.

In Titus 2:11-13, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and good, and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so we are not required to have first done those works in order to earn our salvation as the result and we are not required to do those works as the result of having first been saved, but rather God graciously teaching us to be a doer of those works is part of His gift of salvation. In Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so the way to believe in the Gospel and in what Jesus accomplished through the cross is by repenting and becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to God's law (Acts 21:20).

Jesus saves us from our sin (Matthew 1:21) and sin is the transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4), so Jesus graciously teaching us to be a doer of the law is intrinsically the way that he is giving us his gift of saving us from not being a doer of it.