Called to Obedience

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.(Romans 5)

Obedience

Yesterday we looked at Romans 1:4-5, where we are told that the apostles were sent to call the nations to toe 'obedience to the faith'.

Obedience is something like a dirty word here in our culture.

Ask Parents what they've most value in their children and I doubt obedience would even make the top ten (though I am sure if you offered to wave a magic wand and make their children obedient,  many would be tempted to take it).

And we see that it is the word 'obey' that is frequently removed from the marriage service,  even christian ones,  though the scripture clearly says 'wives obey your husbands'. We can talk about cultural context in some other blog,  perhaps.

But my point is that obedience is not deemed highly.

But it is absolutely necessary, as Christians we understand that primarily we are called to obedience.  And not just obedience,  but obedience 'to the faith'.

I don't want to say too much here,  because Paul goes into this in much greater depth in this same letter.  So I will hold back a little.

But sin came into the world through Adam's disobedience.  He ate the only fruit he was forbidden to eat.

And the rest is,  as they say,  history.

Until Jesus steps in.

And lives a perfect life culminating in his obedience in going to the cross.

Philippians tells us,

He humbled himself and became obedient to death. Even death on a cross.

And so his supreme obedience cancels out our obedience.

We are no longer reliant on our own obedience to be in God's favour.

No.  He did that.  And his act of obedience has justified and redeemed us for all time.

As we have seen,  his obedience made the many (us who believe)  righteous.

Later he goes even further. He who knew no sin,  became sin, he says,  that in him we may become the righteousness of God.

His obedience is credited to our very much overdrawn account. It has cleared our debts and put us into the black to the extent that we could never spend it all.  Not ever.

What grace.

But as Paul says,  should we then sin that grace may abound?  By no means.

Our salvation,  as we have clearly seen,  is not dependant on our obedience,  but none the less we are called to obedience.

I have heard it said that 'The gospel is not an invitation. It's an ultimatum.'

And yes,  we the children of disobedience,  are called to obedience to the faith. Called to repent... And to follow the Lord becoming his disciples,  following his teachings,  and listening obediently to his Spirit.

And We must remember that the life of obedience is the best life for us.  True freedom is in service to God.  It blesses us more than any other way we could choose. 

And obedience is better,  oh SO much better,  than sacrifice.

It blesses us and it blesses God.

And just as Jesus redeemed us from our disobedience through his obedience,  then our own obedience has redemptive qualities on those around us.  We can not save others from sin,  but we can lead people,  impress people,  love people,  serve people so much more effectively,  when we keep in step and obey the Spirit,  not grieving nor quenching but synchronising with him.

LORD of all, 

We give ourselves again to you today,  that we may please you heavenly father,  by our obedience to the faith you have given us.

Lead us and guide us,

This day,

And all days,

Amen.