By David Dann
Synopsis: Denominational concepts creep into our thinking, especially in discussing salvation. We are saved by grace (God’s part) through faith (our part). Yet, saving faith is not merely mental assent, but must lead to full obedience.
Regarding those who had heard the gospel, but rejected it, the apostle Paul writes,
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:16-17).
To obey the gospel is to respond to the message in faith by complying with the terms set forth by the Lord in order to receive the salvation He offers. Even though the Bible clearly speaks of heeding or obeying the gospel message, the concept seems to be foreign to the majority of those who claim to be Christians today. Instead of being urged to obey the gospel, listeners are instructed by religious leaders to “accept Jesus into your heart,” or to “just believe,” or to be saved “by faith alone.” Consider what the Bible says about the importance of obeying the gospel.
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica concerning the coming of Christ in judgment, making reference to the time “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed” (2 Thess. 1:7-10). Notice that those who have not complied with the Lord’s terms for forgiveness, by obeying the gospel, will face the “vengeance” of the Lord and will be “punished with everlasting destruction” (vv. 8, 9).
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, saying, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). The change in the spiritual state of the Romans took place, not by accepting Jesus into their hearts, but when they “obeyed from the heart” (v. 17). The only way a sinner can be set free from the condemnation of sin is by believing and obeying the gospel message.
Of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews says, “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek’” (Heb. 5:9-10). Jesus is not the author of eternal salvation to all who come to Him by faith alone. Instead, He is the author of eternal salvation “to all who obey Him” (v. 9). One must obey the gospel message in order to receive eternal salvation in Christ.
The apostle Peter wrote to those who had already become Christians, saying, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). The purification of the souls of these individuals did not take place by faith only. As the apostle points out, their souls were purified “in obeying the truth” at which time they were “born again” (vv. 22, 23). The only sinners who will have their souls purified are those who obey the gospel.
Though faith in Christ is absolutely necessary in the matter of receiving salvation, it is not all that is necessary. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter presented the terms of the gospel to those who had come to believe in Jesus, saying, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Have you obeyed the gospel?
