THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

Sometimes human language is just not adequate to describe all that Christ has done for us. Consider, for example, the words “righteous” and “obedient”. In everyday conversation those words each have a different meaning. However, when it comes to keeping God’s Law those words both mean the same thing, namely, sinless perfection. The words, “Whoever keeps the whole law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of all,” tell us that imperfect “righteousness” or “obedience” is not enough. No matter how hard we try to be “righteous” or “obedient,” if we fail in one point we are guilty of all (James 2:10). And, if we are guilty of all, then all of our efforts at “righteousness” or “obedience” are as filthy rags” in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). If our works will not make us “righteous” in the sight of God, they will not make us “obedient” in His sight either (Romans 10:3).

At the same time, just as the forgiveness that is ours in Christ cleanses us of all sin making us righteous in the sight of God, that forgiveness cleanses us of all disobedience making us “obedient” in the sight of God (1John 1:9). Therefore, just as “Christ is the end of the law for law for righteousness to every one who believes,” He is the end of the law for obedience to every one who believes (Romans 10:4). The two cannot be separated! Furthermore, because it is what Christ did on the cross, not what we do, that makes us “obedient” in the sight of God; believing that we are made “obedient” by what Christ did is part of trusting in Him.

Part of faith is believing that it is what Christ did — not our own efforts, which the Bible calls “filthy rags”— that makes us obedient in the sight of God. And, if part of faith is believing that we are cleansed of all sin and made obedient in the sight of God by what Christ did, aren’t those who claim to trust Christ for righteousness while at the same time trusting in works to make them “obedient” double minded (James 1:8)?