Thank God, Jesus obeyed death by way of the cross. It is the means by which we are saved and receive eternal life—if we believe. The fact that we are saved by faith in Christ’s work on the cross and not by our works constitutes the grace of God. This is the good news. God’s grace places salvation into everyone’s reach.
But under this era of grace in which we live, let us consider a question Jesus asked during His public ministry. “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not what I say?” (Luke 6:46, NASB). Still, some believers argue that we don’t have to obey the Lord to be saved because we are not saved by obedience but by grace through faith.
First of all, such thinking does not align itself with the concept of Lordship. It is a fundamental doctrine of the faith that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. And grace is not contingent upon our performance. But this is not a license for us to not obey the Lord. Lordship requires more than merely addressing Jesus as Lord. He can be Lord de facto in our life only if we are willing to obey Him.
Secondly, those who don’t obey the Lord call into question whether or not they even know Him. Accordingly, John writes, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (see 1 John 2:3, KJV). This verse serves as a self-check. According to it, If we know the Lord, we will keep His commandments.
A Quality-of-Life Issue
Thirdly, Jesus underscored a practical reason for obedience under grace. “The one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” (Luke 6:49, NIV)!
Who would build a house upon the ground without a foundation? That house may stand when the weather is perfect. But it would be a disaster when the storm or rain comes.
Similarly, we know that life is not all good weather. Anybody can stand when all is well in life. But the truth is that all of us will be subjected to some “storms” in our life. And those who only hear what Jesus says but fail to obey Him will not be able to endure the storms of life when they come.
Our living under grace does not exempt us from what Jesus warns here. Refusal to be a doer of His teachings will render us a person with a bad foundation for life. That is the practical reason for us to obey the Lord under grace.
I believe we all want to enjoy a good quality of life. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Everything He tells us to do has that objective in mind. That’s why it behooves us to live our life in obedience to His teachings.
So, are you committed to living a life of obedience under grace?
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.