0813. The Obedience in Christ Jesus

The Obedience in Christ Jesus

Obedience and Faith (Rom_16:25-26).

Obedience and Love (Joh_14:15).

Obedience and Fellowship (Mat_12:48, Mat_12:50).

Obedience and the Holy Spirit (Act_5:32).

Obedience and Knowledge (Hos_6:3).

Obedience and the Word (Jam_1:22).

Obedience and the Daily Walk (Joh_8:29).

Obedience and Its Rewards (Mat_19:27-28).

The reason we have called this lesson the obedience in Christ Jesus, is because it is an obedience from which those who are unsaved are excluded. An unbeliever can not follow the Lord Jesus Christ in His commands.

To be sure in Romans, chapter 2, we read of two distinct classes: First, There are those who by-patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. All such are those who obey the Truth, and continue therein, not being forgetful hearers. These are the saved, they are under the Blood and they show forth their faith by their works. They "continue in well doing."

Second, There are those who obey not the Truth, but obey unrighteousness. All such are unbelievers. The first step in obeying the Truth is believing in Christ Jesus Who is the Truth. Upon these unbelievers God will place indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish.

The 2d chapter of Romans describes the deeds and the outworkings of two classes–those who obey the Truth and those who obey it not. That is, those who accept and those who reject Christ. The first class worketh good, the second worketh evil; and, by their fruits ye know them; and, by their fruits they shall be rewarded. Accordingly as they have sinned or as they have served they shall reap in the ages to come.

The wicked are to be judged according to their works, the same as the saved. However, God plainly teaches that salvation is by grace alone, apart from works; therefore obedience is dependent upon being born again. All of the unregenerate are sons of disobedience, children of cursing; all of the regenerate are sons of obedience, children of blessing.

Thus are message is upon the obedience which is in Christ Jesus. If the unsaved hear it, let them first obey the Truth, in receiving Christ and then obey Him in the sense of which we speak to-day.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR