FAITH and OBEDIENCE are huge topics mentioned throughout the Bible. Let’s consider a few portions concerning FAITH.

Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

That should be enough examples to show the importance and necessity of faith. The Greek word for is faith is ‘pistis’ and is used 244 times in the New Testament. Sometimes, instead of the word faith, we read such words as ‘trust’ and ‘believe’. These all speak of finding our assurance in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is simply believing what the Lord Jesus said about Himself. It is putting yourself into His hands, believing that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God “who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

When we truly have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (faith that comes through the hearing of the Word of God), WE WILL HAVE HEARTS TO OBEY HIM. After all, to acknowledge Christ as Lord is to acknowledge our position as being in the place of obedience to Him. The Lord once asked in Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” The Lord Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” The NASB translates that verse as, ““If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Obedience is an indication of the love that we have for our Lord.

Sometimes, FAITH and OBEDIENCE are synonymous. We read in:

Romans 10:16, “But they have not all OBEYED THE GOSPEL. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of God?”

To reject the Lord Jesus is to disobey God. Consider the words of the Lord to Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye MUST be born again.” It is a command of God to believe (have faith in) His Son. John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

FAITH and OBEDIENCE are two main themes of God’s Word. They are linked together. If you have faith, you will desire to obey the Lord. (303.6)