12/03/06
Greg Tomlinson
What is the relationship between God's grace and man's obedience to His commands?
One of the great controversies regarding Christendom and salvation by grace is the role of obedience within its framework. Different professing Christians will view a life that is lived at anything less than strict, perfect obedience as living lasciviously and trampling on the grace of God, while others will view a life that is lived in a strict obedience fashion as being legalistic.
1.Is there anything about the nature of salvation that could help us to better understand the issue?
Titus 3:5-6 Ephesians 2:8-10
John 1:12-13 1 Peter 1:2
Romans 4:3-5 2
Corinthians 5:17
The nature of our salvation with respect to obedience is that our salvation is completely the work of God in us and for us. He has created us as a new creature that that is to reject their old nature and live in obedience to the nature and calling of God.
2.What does it mean to be lascivious?
Mark 7:21-23 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
Galatians 5:19-21 Ephesians 4:17-24
Jude 4-5 Hebrews 10:28-29; 11:6
Revelation 2:9 2
Thessalonians 3:14-15
2 Timothy 3:2-6
Lasciviousness basically means to live with unbridled lust. This is a life of active disobedience to the commands of God. This is associated with the mentality that once they are saved, they assurance is guaranteed so that they can do anything that comes to mind without having to fear any such ramifications.
3.What are the ramifications of Christian lasciviousness?
1 John 2:4 See John 14:6, 17;
17:7 John 8:44
1 John 1:6; 2:19; 3:22; 5:3 Matthew 18:15-17
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
A person who claims to be a Christian and yet he continues to live a worldly and sinful lifestyle, the state of that man's salvation is questionable. While we cannot judge his eternal state, we are called to confront him with his sins with the possibility of excommunication. If, after investigation, the person is found to not be a Christian, then is fate is the same as that of all unbelievers, eternity in hell. Remember though that salvation is a condition of the heart which is evaluated only by God.
4.What does it mean to be legalistic?
Matthew 9:10-11; 11:19 Romans 2:1; 14:2-6
Luke 5:30-33 James 4:11-12
Acts 15:1, 5-11, 24 Exodus 18:20
Being legalistic means that there are certain activities or beliefs that a person must do or must not do in order to be saved. In the scriptures, it was generally associated with adherence to the Law of God given by Moses. Now a days, there are other forms of legalism in Christian churches. Some that manifested themselves include which version of the Bible to read, what kind of music to sing, how long a dress should be, how long hair can be, necessity of being married, marriage and divorce, church attendance and many other issues. Legalism would essentially cover anything that is required to be done in order to be saved or offer proof of salvation and without those activities then the person is considered to be an unbeliever.
5.What are the ramifications of Christian legalism?
2 Corinthians 3:6 Romans 10:3-5
Galatians
2:11-14, 18-21; 3:2-3, 10-12; 4:9-11
Legalism kills and destroys oneself and others. Legalism places the legalist as a judge over others instead of offering them they love that they so dearly need. As a result, the legalist, tends to look around at what others are doing instead of looking to be obedient to God and follow Jesus.
6.To what extent MUST we obey if we are saved?
1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23 Acts 16:30-31
Romans
8:38-39; 14:14 James
4:17
Salvation is not wrapped up in nor consumed by obedience. As a Christian, we CAN do anything without being fearful that we will lose the love of God, therefore there is nothing in particular noted that a Christian is required to do in order to maintain his salvation. A man's salvation rests in the hands of God and not in his own hands.
7.To what extent SHOULD we obey if we are saved?
John 14:15, 21; 15:10-14 Romans 13:9
Hebrews 5:8-9 1
John 3:23-24; 4:21; 5:2-3
If we are saved, we should desire to keep God's commands and actually do them. While we are not perfect and righteous as God is righteous, we are to seek to live our lives more like Jesus would have us live them.
Summary:
While salvation is purely by the grace of God, our lives are to be a reflection of that grace. We are to desire to live according to the commandments of God. We are also to help our brethren recognize sin in their own lives and help hold them accountable so that others are not encouraged to follow after their sinful ways. There is a balance between living in God's grace, living according to the world's standards and living with a legalistic mindset. That balance is called love.