581. JOH 14:21. SAVING RELIGION A RELIGION OF OBEDIENCE

Joh_14:21. Saving Religion a Religion of Obedience

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."’97Joh_14:21.

There has been much dispute in the Christian Church, whether salvation is of works or faith. Some have taught a system of mere morality, and have said, that by our own righteousness we are to be saved. Others have taught a system of mere faith, and have said, that faith without works is sufficient. Both of these views are diametrically opposed to the gospel system, as taught by Christ and his apostles. Faith and works are both essential, but in their proper places. Inverted in their position, they are valueless.

Hence in reference to pardon and justification, it is by faith only. "Through this man (Christ Jesus), is preached," &c. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," &c.

Good works are to be the evidences of the genuineness of our faith. Hence James asks, "What doth it profit," &c., Jam_2:14, &c. Then we see, that in reference to pardon and acceptance with God, it is’97faith alone. But that it is productive of good works.

Hence faith is the root’97obedience the fruit.

Faith the soul of religion’97obedience the body, in which it becomes palpable.

Faith enters the Divine family,’97obedience shows that we are the children of the family.

Faith receives the kingdom of God’97obedience acts with the loyalty of good subjects. Hence Christ declares in the text. Also, Joh_14:23-24, and chap. Joh_15:10 and Joh_15:14. The principle, therefore, of the text is sufficiently established. It is only necessary, then, that we define and specify the nature of that obedience, which is essential to saving religion.

I. It must be evangelical. Not self-righteous obedience,’97not the mere strivings of the carnal heart,’97not the mere respectable morality which will do for the world; but the obedience of the renewed heart’97the workings of faith’97the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit within us. Not so much us, as God working within us. "Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me," &c. "What I am, I am by Christ’s grace; and what I do, I do by his grace strengthening me." It is also evangelical, in opposition to legal obedience. In legal obedience there is a striving to obey, to be saved’97to do and live; but here in evangelical obedience, I obey, because I am saved’97I do, because I live. It is essential, therefore, that our obedience be evangelical.

II. It must be affectionate. The obedience of love. "He it is that loveth me." "This is the love of God," &c. "If ye love me," &c.

1. There is slavish obedience, and this is invariably irksome, galling. Look at the toiling Hebrew in. Egypt. The driven Negro.

2. There is the obedience of the mere hireling. Theirs is often performed cheerfully, but the eye is ever on the wages’97on the reward. There is no ardent joy, or love to the service. But Christian obedience is affectionate. Look at that affectionate child, he heard his father’s commands, with delight he hastens to obey. He is happy in obeying! Now this is the reason why God must have first the heart, and then the obedience will be the obedience of love. Rom_6:17.

ILL It must be unquestioning. We must ascertain clearly the will of God, and then do it. Do it without murmuring, or debating, or questioning the propriety of what God demands. Php_2:14, Php_2:15. We may not always see the design and fitness; but we should remember our ignorance, and who it is that commands.

It is not customary for servants to question the orders of their masters; or for children to question the orders of parents. How much less, then, should believers question the commands of God. "Thus, saith the Lord" should be ever sufficient. Like Samuel, we should say, "Speak, Lord," &c. Our eyes should be up to the Lord’97our ears attent’97our feet ready. Like the angels, "Ever hearkening to the voice of his word."

IV. It should be uniform. God is to be obeyed at all times. Seasons or days cannot alter his claims, they are ever obligatory. If times could have affected his claims or our duties, then there never had been any need for suffering, for Christ’s sake. When friends smile it is not so difficult, but if they frown, hate, revile, or injure. If they forbid, there is the language of the apostles, "We ought to obey God, rather than man." Christian obedience must be the habit of the soul’97the golden thread running through the web of life. It must be the walk of the Christian in this the house of his pilgrimage.

V. It must be universal. Have respect to all God’s bidding. There are things prohibited, and they must be abandoned’97avoided. There are positive injunctions, they must be practised. There are positive institutions in religion. Profession’97faith and baptism. Profession of discipleship in the Lord’s Supper. Now, both moral and positive institutions must be obeyed. True obedience is only bounded by the divine word. A beautiful picture of this is presented in the record concerning Zacharias and Elizabeth. Luk_1:6. I add,

VI. It must be persevering. "He that endureth to the end," &c. "Be thou faithful," &c. "Press toward the mark," &c. The Galatians ran well, but at length were hindered. Of some of Christ’s disciples, it is said, "They walked no more with him." Of others’97"They made shipwreck." Peter speaks of those who had returned as the dog to its vomit, and the swine that was washed, &c. Hence the exhortations of the apostles. 2Pe_1:5-10; chap. 2Pe_3:14-17. These then are the great features of that obedience which is essential to salvation. In order to this obedience,

(1.) Seek a filial and willing spirit. Ask of God not only to write his law on your hearts, etc., but to give you the spirit that will delight to do all his commandments.

(2.) Have recourse constantly to the Saviour’s grace. Of yourselves you cannot thus obey God. His grace is indispensable. His grace is provided. His grace in answer to prayer will be freely and effectually communicated.

(3.) Rely for acceptance on the great sacrifice. Our souls and services are only acceptable to God through Christ Jesus. All must be laid on that altar, which sanctifies both the worship and the offering. Besides, our infirmities are so numerous that confession of sin, repentance and faith in the Saviour’s blood, is constantly necessary. "If we say that we have no sin," &c. Our congregation consists of only two classes.

1. The obedient, who realize in their experience the text. To these I read one great, and glorious promise. Rev_22:14. "Blessed are they who do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

2. The disobedient. To these we say, "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" "Let the wicked forsake," &c. If not, if you will resolutely set God at defiance, then hearken. Rom_2:8, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS