Obedience in the Shadow of Grace
Biblical obedience is following God's commandments and teachings. It has a component where the believer needs to understand it’s not an option if a believer seeks to keep their joy and walk with God. Are children required to obey their parents? Why then not us? It is not an option if the believer wants to keep the victory over sin continuing in their life. This boils it down to the following fact; Obedience is a choice.
The topic of obedience can be controversial these days. Understanding this key biblical concept is monumental for faithful and proper Christian living. Look around you. We live in a country where God has been removed from our schools and institutions. The Word of God has been traded in for something man says, reviled and doubted. Textual Criticism has replaced “so sayeth the Lord”. The divinity of Jesus Christ has been harangued by intellectuals and “churches” both. The mainstream American church, evangelicals and fundamentalists both, have surrendered a pilgrim lifestyle for bitcoin, TikTok and a humanistic lifestyle. Immorality has become the new morality. Christians are not separated from the world they were called out of. When the world looks at the church, in large part, they see the world. The church has decided to do what they think is right in their own eyes as did the Israelites in the times of the Judges.
It’s not a large shock then that there is...confusion. We are fortunate that God always has a remnant. We are fortunate that God has preserved His Word. We are fortunate that God is eternal, immutable and merciful.
The nations of the world are blessed, or not, because of obedience to God. God is the one who blesses. People are blessed, or not, because of obedience to God. When a Christian (a born again and baptized believer living a separated, pilgrim lifestyle) walks into the room, there is always a reaction. People stiffen up because of obedience, but not as much as they used to. I’ve been in a room when a pastor walks in. I’ve seen people shift in their seats, straighten their collars and quit using the immoral language they were just talking. God’s grace effects (and affects) us all.
I want to show you that obedience doesn't overshadow grace. But that obedience is only possible because of grace.
Point 1: Obedience Through God’s Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Emphasize that obedience is a response to God’s grace and not a means to earn it.
H.A. Ironside said, "We are saved by grace, not by works, but having been saved, we are called to a life of good works in response to His grace." Knowing you are saved, if God came to your house and knocked on the door, would you open it? We all must make choices.
Point 2: The Necessity of Obedience
John 14:15: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Obedience is a demonstration of love and commitment to God.
H.A. Ironside said "We need to realize that in all things our first duty and responsibility is to God Himself." As the word of God says; Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Point 3: Grace Does Not Eliminate the Need for Obedience
Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
God's grace encourages righteous living, not continued sin.
H.A. Ironside said, "The greatest mistake any Christian can make is to substitute his own will for the will of God." God does not want us to stay in our sin, but to come out of Babylon. Sin is an affront to God; God is holy and God judges sin. You are free from the law of sin and death, you are dead to sin, raised in newness of life. Naturally, you should want to obey God to please Him because of His grace and mercy to you.
Point 4: Faith as the Foundation
Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Faith is the cornerstone that leads to obedient actions.
H.A. Ironside said, "It is not only that sin consists in doing evil, but in not doing the good that we know." Doing something you know is wrong is sin. Christ died once for sin (as in all sin), so there is no more sacrifice for it. That being the case, living in it as a born-again Christian is an affront to God. God will judge that sin, because He must for, he is holy.
Point 5: The Relationship Between Faith and Works
James 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
Genuine faith naturally produces good works, but the works are an outcome of faith, not a replacement.
H.A. Ironside said, "The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."
Point 6: Obedience as an Act of Worship
Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
True obedience is an act of worship, where believers offer their lives as a living sacrifice to God, demonstrating their love and devotion through their actions.
H.A. Ironside said, "The Christian is called out from the world. His life is not to be as the lives of those about him."
Point 7: The Holy Spirit’s Role in Obedience
John 16:13: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
The Holy Spirit empowers and guides believers in their journey of obedience, providing wisdom, strength, and discernment to follow God’s commandments. In this verse, you can see the 2nd person of the Godhead (Jesus) describing the 3rd (He the Holy Spirit). The 3rd will be speaking and teaching the wisdom of the 2nd to the Glory of the 1st; God the Father.
H.A. Ironside said, "If we would prevail with men in public, we must prevail with God in secret."
God’s grace, His unmerited favor, is the fuel to the spark of the believer’s faith. If you are not in your secret place of prayer, confessing/repenting of sin daily, regularly attending church as a baptized member, being discipled and reading your bible daily then you are not prevailing according to God’s instructions for obedience. Be the same Christian at God’s house that you are in your house or anywhere else.
Conclusion
Summary: Real biblical obedience is possible through God’s grace, obedience does not overshadow grace, and faith is greater than works. A works-based mentality does not save and it assuredly will not sanctify. Obedience is a choice. The choice for obedience is made by faith. Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God. The victory in your life (peace, providence, proclaimed prayer, protection) because of obedience is fueled by God’s Grace and sparked by your faith.
Encouragement: Believers are to seek God's grace, live obediently, and prioritize faith, knowing that their efforts are expressions of their faith and gratitude, not a means to earn salvation. The mere choice, in any given moment, for one of God’s children to make Him increase and themselves decrease is the start of being obedient again. God’s grace, His unmerited favor, is limitless. You can start new right now. You can keep the victory God has given you, you don’t have to live in sin. Confess and repent of your sin to God through earnest and humble prayer and He will answer you.
There is no biblical obedience, no entry into heaven, no sanctification, without salvation first. If we could be saved or obedient by works, there would have been no need for Jesus to die at Calvary. As we are saved by grace, through faith, our faith without works is dead, as dead as any who dies in their sin without knowing Jesus. Real works are not possible without salvation. It is faith in God's grace that saves, not works alone. Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Obedience doesn’t overshadow Grace. It’s not a matter of works; it’s a matter of faith. Obedience is only possible because of God’s grace.
Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Adult Sunday School Teacher, Kevin Smith
