The Necessity for Obedience

Heb. 5:9
    
    Christianity is a doing religion. James admonished christians in the first century to not only be hearers of the word, but doers of the word (James 1:22-25). The Hebrew writer informs us that Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). One of the prevailing doctrines taught today is salvation by “faith alone.” Oddly enough, the only time those two words are found together in the Bible is James 2:24, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Also, if salvation is on the basis of faith, or belief, alone, demons and the devil are saved. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19). The demons even confess that Jesus is the Son of God; stated in Matt. 8:29, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” This confession is necessary for salvation (John 8:24; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). Yet, that confession is not enough to save them. Obedience to all of God’s plan is necessary to be saved. Oddly enough, the things left out in these examples, are the exact issue addressed by Peter in Acts 2, when the Jews realized the error of their ways and wanted to come into a right relationship with God; “Repent, and each of you be baptized the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Obedience is indeed necessary (John 3:36). I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley