“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). Obeying the Gospel? It’s a rhetorical question. It clearly implies an answer. But some seem to be afraid of the answer so they try to tweak and edit scripture to conform to their druthers. We are told there is not a thing we can do in order to be saved. “They” tell us it’s already been done. But when you press “them” about it they will admit we must believe. But after that they say nary a thing can be done about our lost condition. They tell us the gospel is a fact to be believed and not a command to be obeyed. Yet Peter says the gospel is something we can obey. So does Paul. We all know salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. That is a given. When we accept Jesus on his terms and are willing to “obey the gospel,” that doesn’t equate with us earning anything. There is no work we could do or price we could pay to put God in our debt. But Jesus paid it all. All to him we owe. Sin has left a crimson stain. Yet he washed it white as snow. Jesus saves. God saves. Grace saves. Blood saves. Faith saves. Repentance saves. But so does obedience. A few experts on “faith only” need to get over it. The gospel is the good news of a risen Savior. His personal sacrifice is available to us. He died, was buried and arose from the tomb. When we obey the gospel we are buried, rise and live in newness of life. Paul gives us the gospel in three words. “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We are therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3,4). I have highlighted three words to underscore the point I am making. We obey the gospel by trusting in Jesus for our salvation, turning from our sinful lives, acknowledging him as Lord and Master, and then submitting to baptism as a symbolic death, burial and resurrection with our Lord. It isn’t rocket science. Peter asks, “What shall the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” Allow me to let Paul answer that. “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). —steven clark goad
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 15:33:16 +0000
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