We are not saved by works but obedience matters a great deal! Sometimes we get hung up on the importance of obedience because we look at it from a “what is required for salvation” standpoint. But that is like looking at your marriage saying “What is the minimum requirement to get married and stay married.” We know that isn’t what it is all about!
Here are a few times Jesus said obedience to him matters,
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock…But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” – Matthew 7:24,26
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus is Christ
Christ means anointed one. Jesus is the anointed King and he came preaching the good news of the kingdom (Mark 1:15).
Disciples of Jesus are citizens of his kingdom. We live under his rule and reign. We live under his sovereign authority. That means we submit to Jesus as King. We need to learn his teaching, understand his teaching and live his teaching. It does us great harm to read the Bible over and over and do nothing. It does those we disciple great harm to allow them to learn that is ok.
Jesus is also Lord
That means he is master. He is the boss. That means he calls the shots and he is in charge. We follow his lead. We do what he says to do.
This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
King Jesus, the Lord, told us to go and make disciples. That should compel us to go and do what he said to go and do. I hope you and I will take this calling seriously. This is not about being a super Christian. This is just what disciples do and we don’t need to think twice about doing what Jesus said to do. We don’t need to stall or delay.
If you don’t know where to start, I have put a lot of helps in the Discipleship Toolbox for you. Let me know how I can help get you started!
Our obedience doesn’t earn our salvation but our obedience is part of being amongst the saved.
