The Obedience of Faith

Friday, May 23rd

Think about it. When we break the rules in a game or break the speed limit in our cars we excuse ourselves. We say, "Awe, rules are for breaking anyway." But then when it comes to talking about heaven, we also excuse ourselves. "I'm not so bad. I live a pretty straight life. God wouldn't deny me a place in heaven." How we contradict ourselves. We rarely see the contradiction. Why?

Because we believe in ourselves. In fact, we believe in ourselves so much that we will excuse ourselves before God Himself. We know God's Ten Commandments. But when we lie or cheat or steal for commit adultery, we excuse ourselves. "Rules are made for breaking anyway," we say. Then, having knowingly broken God's commandments, we still expect God to open a place in heaven to us. How mistaken we are.

You see, God does demand your unconditional obedience. He says, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people" (Jeremiah 7:23). This means that God does demand your obedience to His moral law summarized in the Ten Commandments. But none of us have perfectly obeyed God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

And so, God requires you to obey the Gospel. The good news of the Gospel tells you to turn away from your sins. You are to trust in the death of Christ as the only adequate payment for your sins. On the basis of Christ's death for you, you are to ask God's forgiveness. You are to trust Christ alone to carry you into heaven. You are to obey the gospel by placing faith in Christ.

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