The Obedience of Faith

Thesis

What is the obedience of faith? Does obedience relate to belief or works? What is the correlation between faith and works? If the just shall live by faith, where does good works fit in? If we were created to do good works, what is its place in regard to the application of faith? Obedience seems like a work while faith does not. What is the balance of faith and works in relation to the deliverance from sin? Is this true, Faith relates to Justification (Salvation) and Works relate to sanctification (Holiness) or is it a combination of the two? Is works the result of faith or is works the activity of faith? In other words, do I do good works because I believe in God or do I believe in God because I do good works?

Some say all deliverance from sin is a result of faith in the finished work of Christ

Some say deliverance from sin is something that I must work at (self-will) with God’s help

Some say that through the Jewish customs (law) that deliverance can be obtained.

Is it possible that deliverance is obtained through a combination of my faith in the finished work and by my works activity?

I have always believed that my salvation is through faith in the Lord Jesus and his finished work at the cross and because I believe that, good works (fruit) will follow. Because of my faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit manifest Himself in me by producing fruit (of the Spirit) As a result, the flesh has no dominion over me as long as I continue to walk in the Spirit. However, if we were created to do good works (eph 2:19) then is that not considered some form of self-will or effort? Therefore, how can my faith in the finished work be exempt from some form of obedience or works on my effort?

Paul makes it clear that circumcision is not necessary for Salvation, therefore the Law is not ment for salvation but to clarify the wickedness of sin. Trying to uphold the law is futile, no man can do it, yet isn’t that considered a good work?

So what is the obedience of faith? Thayer defines “obedience” (Hoop-ak-o-ay’) as “compliance, submission, observing the requirements of Christianity” it comes from the root word (hoop-ak-oo’-o) which means to listen, to harken to (of one who on the knock at the door comes to listen who it is) a command, to obey, be obedient to, submit to.

Romans 1:5 NASB95

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Colossians 2:6 NASB95

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Philippians 2:12 NASB95

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

James 2:20 NASB95

But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Romans 1:17 NASB95

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”