 |
| Franciscan Allegories: Allegory of Obedience (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
If you are a parent you want obedience from your children, not to restrict their freedom, but to keep them safe and bring order in your family. Obedience is not a bad thing or a negative thing. On the contrary obedience is necessary and expected. We all have to obey the laws of the city, state, and country where we live.
Many reject the Bible as a book with too many rules to follow. Yet some of these same people would think it outlandish if a sporting event were played without rules. Without laws and rules the world would be chaotic and we'd never get anything done. In fact we'd be living in a very unsafe place.
If you have a problem thinking in terms of laws or rules, let's think in terms of the Bible providing God's guidelines to give you a better life. Sure, it seems like there are long lists of rules in the Bible, but these guidelines are there to help us. Jesus simplified things when he told us that the greatest laws were to love God first and then each other. If we focus on these ideals, then everything else begins to fall into place fairly naturally.
Obeying the law is not what provides our salvation. We are saved by God's grace if we choose to accept it. Once we have accepted the Lord and begin to live by faith. obedience becomes a part of the way we live and the way we want to be. We obey because we love.
If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step.
Enjoyable to read and a good topic.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I have many thoughts on this, Lee. Obedience is an obstacle when our own will conflicts with what we need to or should do. Justified excuses often seem to be the guiding force, when ignoring what we know is right. Then there are times when shades of gray come into play, times when it's not that easy or clear cut, or perhaps times when we need to crash and burn, so we can grow and learn from the experience...times when no "right answer" presents itself like a bullseye or target waiting to be hit. Common sense and faith must prevail at these times, as well as the openness to learn whatever it is we must be taught. I enjoyed this post, Lee. You gave me a lot to think about here:)
ReplyDeleteHappy that I found this blog today. Too many are confused about this issue and the issue of leading a life of following Christ. Thanks for posting this and for posting your Next Step page - so important!
ReplyDeleteFAITH WITHOUT OBEDIENCE?
ReplyDeleteCan faith without obedience result in a positive result? Is it possible to be saved by faith alone. Jesus said he who believes and is baptized will be saved.(Mark 16:16)
Faith without obedience?
Could Simon Peter have filled his nets with fish by faith alone or was obedience required?(Luke 5:1-9) .......5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.".....9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;)NKJV.
Simon caught fish by faith plus obedience. Simon's obedience was not a good work. It was not keeping the Law of Moses.
A blind man healed by Jesus. Was he healed by faith only?(John 9:1-11.....11 He answered and said, "A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight.")NKJV
The blind man receive sight because of faith plus obedience. The blind man did not do a good work nor was he keeping the Law of Moses.
Was the temple tax paid by faith alone? (Matthew 17:24-27......27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.") NKJV.
Money for the tax was acquired by faith plus obedience. Peter was not doing a good work nor was he obeying the Law of Moses.
Were the lepers healed by faith only? (Luke 17:11-19...13 And they lifted up their voices and said , "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us !" 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priest." And so it was that they went, they were cleansed......)NKJV.
The lepers were healed by faith plus obedience. The lepers were not performing good works nor were they keeping the Law of Moses.
Obeying Jesus by being baptized in water, in order to have sins forgiven, is not a good work nor is it obeying the Law of Moses.
JESUS NEVER TAUGHT THAT MEN WOULD BE SAVED WITHOUT WATER BAPTISM UNDER THE NEW COVENANT. SAVED BY FAITH ALONE IS A MAN-MADE DOCTRINE!
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com