Is Obedience Required?

David Eldridge

Many in today’s religious world basically do not believe that God requires obedience of the believer. This misconception, although not openly admitted, is very evident in their doctrines. Often the idea of faith and works together is scorned and labeled as a “church of Christ doctrine.” Is obedience required by God?

While many teach this concept of faith alone saving someone, that idea is simply not Biblical. James dealt with this problem in his epistle. It seems that some thought then, as they do now, that a simple mental acceptance of God and Jesus was enough to gain them the salvation of their souls. Notice what he says in James 2:14, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” James is asking rhetorical questions here. He asks what a man gains if he has faith but no works. The implied answer to this question is there is no profit in his faith alone. He also questions can faith save him? The answer to this question is also no, faith alone can not save anyone. He goes on to state in vs. 17 that, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” A faith without obedience is a dead, non-saving faith. James then makes it as plain as day when he writes in vs. 24 that “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” This verse is the only verse in the Bible that the words “faith only” are used together, and we are told that we cannot be saved by it.

A faith that moves you to obey is pleasing to God. Notice the type of faith and works that will justify and save. In James 2:21-23 James writes, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” When was it that Abraham believed God, that Abraham was justified, and that his faith was made complete? When he obeyed God! Many go around today claiming how much they trust and have faith in the Lord. Yet, in their lives they do not obey his commands, their faith is a dead faith that can not and will not justify them. My friend, our faith must have obedience with it in order for us to be pleasing unto God. Remember John’s words in Revelation 22:14, “They that do his commandments...may enter in through the gates into the city.” Are you making faith alive in obedience that you might be saved?