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Articles
Obedience as Taught in the Book of John
A major purpose of this account of the gospel is that people may believe
that Jesus is the Christ in order to attain life (John 20:30, 31).
At the same time several aspects of truth concerning obedience are taught.
Please consider these carefully.
Faith gives people the right to become children of God (ch. 1:11-13). Faith
alone did not make them sons of God (ch. 12:42, 43). Those who became children
of God were born of God. We will see in the next paragraph how this is accomplished.
It is a foundation fact that faith is essential to salvation (ch. 3:16-18).
Those who are children of God became such by the new birth (ch. 3:3-5).
This is a birth of water and Spirit. The Spirit gives direction through the
instruction of the New Testament, and the one persuaded by faith obeys in water
baptism, from which he rises to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3, 4). This
new birth is essential for one to enter the kingdom, the church (1 Cor. 12:13;
Acts 2:41; 1 Peter 1:22, 23), and is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16).
Those who come to God are doers of the truth (John 3:19-21). Doers of evil
hate the light of truth, but doers of the truth come to the light so that their
deeds "may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." Disobedient people
incur the wrath of God (ch. 3:36). "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal
life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God
abideth on him (ASV). This verse shows the nature of saving faith. Note also
(Hebrews 3:18, 19; 4:6) to see this point made again.
God seeks worshippers- those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John
4:19-24). The geographic location of such worship is not significant, but the
action involved is important. Worship must be from the heart, and it must be
according to the instruction of the New Testament. God hears those who worship
Him and do His will (ch. 9:31).
Those who continue to please God must continue in obedience to Christ's word
word (ch. 8:31,32; 15:4-10). This is the way
way to be made free. This is the way to be fruitful-a necessary thing. It involves keeping commandments.
It is the way to life. (ch. 8:51).
The way to serve the Lord is to follow Him (ch. 12:26).
Judgment awaits those who reject His word (ch. 12:47,48).
Many profess to love the Lord, but ignore His commandments. To love Him
is to keep His commandments (ch.14:15,21). Having fellowship with God depends
on it (ch. 14:23, 24). Abiding in Christ's love depends on it (ch. 15:10). Keeping
His commandments are necessary in order to be His friends (ch. 15:14). We are
either His friends or His enemies. Where do we want to be standing -with Him
or against Him?
Surely we must conclude from this study that obedience to God is essential
to salvation (Heb. 5:8, 9). Let us take advantage of the right to become children
of God, and then take advantage of the opportunity to serve Him unto eternal
life.
Author: Gilbert Alexander
Date written: 6-2-02
