While you read this, we want to make it clear that we do not believe the Bible teaches that we must work our way into heaven, or that any amount of good works can save us. We believe the Bible conveys a clear message: our salvation comes through faith, accompanied by the Father’s love. Our love for the Father, demonstrated through obedience to His commands, keeps us in His love. We are saved by grace through faith, and because the Father’s seed is within us, our faith naturally leads to obedience to His commands.
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Our Saving Faith
We achieve saving faith by calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ while relying on God’s extensive mercy which was provided through Jesus’ sacrificial death. Scripture identifies obedience as a fundamental requirement in the sanctification process following salvation. Living according to God’s Word strengthens our relationship with God the Father and shows our commitment and love towards Him.
Our Daily Commitment
Our daily commitment to following the Father’s will demonstrates our love because it involves surrendering our personal will to obey His commands. According to biblical doctrine, faithful obedience to God’s commands serves as a basic element of sanctification, enabling us to maintain God’s love for us. This principle is strongly affirmed in James 2:26, instructing believers that authentic faith requires obedience.
Did Jesus Teach Obedience to God’s Commandments?
Did Jesus teach that we must obey God Almighty’s commands? Yes, Jesus taught that obedience to God is a vital part of remaining in the Father’s love. Calling Jesus “Lord” may not be enough for salvation. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” This statement highlights that salvation is not merely about verbal acknowledgment, mental assent or belief; it requires an active commitment to living in alignment with God’s will.
Matthew 7:21 directly challenges the idea that salvation comes through faith alone without any corresponding actions toward the Father’s will or any lifestyle changes, being set apart for God Almighty. Please don’t misunderstand us. Our faith, as a starting point saves us and puts us in the love of the Father, however our commanded obedience keeps us in the Father’s love. Faith alone without commanded obedience to God’s commands is a dead faith.
In John 14:15, Jesus says “If you love me, keep my commands,” clarifying the importance of obedience in demonstrating genuine love for Him. And in Luke 6:46, Jesus asks “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” This emphasizes the necessity of aligning our obedience with our profession of faith.
But it is important to note that obedience does not earn us salvation; rather, obedience is the working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.” In short: faith alone saves us, while obedience to God Almighty is the working out our salvation.
In conclusion, obedience to God’s commands is essential for remaining in the Father’s love, but it should never be viewed as a way to “earn” salvation. Salvation is a gift, freely given by God Almighty. Our response to this incredible gift is reflected in our love and devotion to the Father – offering our entire life to Him, just as Jesus did. This means faithfully doing the Father’s will and obeying His commands with steadfast commitment until the very end.
Inspiring Verses on Salvation and Obedience
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3)
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him (John 14:21)
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned (John 15:6)
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love (John 15:10)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17)
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? (James 2:20)
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God (James 2:21-23)
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9)
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27)
Throughout the Old Testament, obedience to God’s commands was a means of maintaining a covenant relationship with Him. For instance, adherence to the Ten Commandments and sacrificial commands were considered necessary expressions of devotion.
Similarly, in the New Testament, Obedience to God’s commands, as Jesus commands us all to do, is tied to remaining in the Father’s love. God the Father identifies our love for Him by our commanded obedience to His commands as described in the New Testament. If we are walking in obedience to God’s commands, then that kind of love casts out all fear.
Finding Hope and Guidance
The Bible’s teachings on salvation are not only about eternal life but also about experiencing hope, purpose, and a renewed relationship with God in the here and now. Salvation is presented as a gift of grace, offering forgiveness of sins and the promise of transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Whether you are seeking answers to life’s biggest questions, reaffirming your faith, or exploring theological perspectives, the Bible offers timeless wisdom, profound truths, and an enduring message of hope for all who seek it.
If you’re unsure where to start, begin with prayer and a genuine desire to understand God’s Word. Take time to reflect, asking God to guide your heart and mind as you seek His truth. Dive into the Bible with an open heart, reading passages that resonate with your current questions or struggles. Seek after God Almighty with persistence, knowing that He reveals Himself to those who earnestly seek Him.
Reach out to trusted spiritual mentors who can share their wisdom and experiences to guide you with clarity and encouragement. Dive into meaningful conversations with a supportive biblical community — whether it’s a Bible study group or a biblical church fellowship, that shares your belief in one God. Ask questions, exchange insights, and explore the truth together. These steps can help you not only deepen your understanding of salvation but also strengthen your relationship with God in a powerful way.
Remember, salvation is not a distant goal to be achieved through endless striving but a present gift freely offered to everyone. It is waiting to be received through faith in God Almighty’s commissioned savior — the Lord Jesus Christ, who was resurrected from death to save all who will be born again. Through God’s grace, redemption and eternal life are made possible for all who choose to wholeheartedly believe and accept His immeasurable grace.
Hopeful tips
While salvation may seem complicated at first, the truth is, it’s really not. Salvation is both the easiest and yet the hardest thing we will ever experience. At its core, it requires a simple act of faith—a faith as small as a mustard seed. But what makes it challenging is the surrender it demands. We must seek earnestly with our hearts, trusting fully in God Almighty who is greater than ourselves.
The difficult part comes when we are called to let go of our old lives, literally letting go of our habits, our desires, our fears, our dreams, our hopes—in order to be born again into a completely new life through our Messiah. It is a transformation, a rebirth of our soul, where we are transformed to walk in a new path, leaving behind the past and embracing the hope and purpose that salvation offers. It’s a journey of trust, faith, and the willingness to let go of control to receive something far greater than we could ever imagine.
