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If the Reformation succeeded in one thing, it was to stress the point that salvation was never earned. Salvation is by faith and grace alone. By faith, we mean believing in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. By grace, the Reformers pointed out that salvation is not of an individual’s own doing, but occurs by the grace of God.
The Scriptures plainly teach that mankind is dead in sin, needing deliverance from such bondage. Throughout the Church’s history, these teachings have remained consistent.
Jesus spoke of the Helper who would assist Christians once He was gone, clearly paving the way for understanding the reality that the Holy Spirit indwells believers in Christ. In the same chapter, Jesus also stated, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Yet this raises an unavoidable question: if salvation is entirely by grace through faith, what place does obedience have in the Christian life?
Simply put, obedience does not save, but the saved obey. This is best summarized by James: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). James is not arguing that works save; rather, he is pointing to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) and reaffirming the same principles Jesus taught in His Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1–20).
The apostle Paul also addressed this issue directly, asking: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:1–4).
The Christian life is a new beginning, a second chance, if you will—to be the light and salt of the earth. Paul later explains that if anyone is in Christ, “the old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus Christ commands biblical obedience. However, He also knows it is impossible to live a life free from sin in a fallen world. This is where the doctrine of sanctification (growing in faith) becomes essential to understand.
Christians do not become saved, remain complacent, and bear no fruit. This is the warning Jesus gave in the Parable of the Sower. Christians stand apart because they are not of this world.
Being obedient to Jesus Christ is simple. One must pick up his cross daily (Luke 9:23–24) and be prepared to lose his life for Christ’s sake (Matthew 16:25).
Of all the names used to describe God, from Father, Lord, King of Kings, Creator, and many others, the terms stress the importance of viewing God not only as the Savior of the world, but also as Lord.
Biblical obedience is made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Yet as Christians, we humbly proclaim that obedience does not earn salvation, but it testifies to a life that Christ has truly changed. Where faith is genuine, obedience will follow.