THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH
Sometimes human language is just not
adequate to describe all that Christ has done for us. Consider, for example,
the words “righteous” and “obedient”. In everyday conversation those words each
have a different meaning. However, when it comes to keeping God’s Law those
words both mean the same thing, namely, sinless perfection. The words, “Whoever
keeps the whole law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of all,” tell us that
imperfect “righteousness” or “obedience” is not enough. No matter how hard we
try to be “righteous” or “obedient,” if we fail in one point we are guilty of
all (James 2:10). And, if we are guilty
of all, then all of our efforts at “righteousness” or “obedience” are as filthy
rags” in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). If our works will not make us
“righteous” in the sight of God, they will not make us “obedient” in His sight
either (Romans 10:3).
At the same time, just as the
forgiveness that is ours in Christ cleanses us of all sin making us righteous
in the sight of God, that forgiveness cleanses us of all disobedience making us
“obedient” in the sight of God (1John 1:9). Therefore, just as “Christ is the
end of the law for law for righteousness to every one who believes,” He is the
end of the law for obedience to every one who believes (Romans 10:4). The two
cannot be separated! Furthermore, because it is what Christ did on the cross,
not what we do, that makes us “obedient” in the sight of God; believing that we
are made “obedient” by what Christ did is part of trusting in Him.
Part of faith is
believing that it is what Christ did — not our own efforts, which the
Bible calls “filthy rags”— that makes us obedient in the sight of God. And, if
part of faith is believing that we are cleansed of all sin and made obedient in
the sight of God by what Christ did, aren’t those who claim to trust Christ for
righteousness while at the same time trusting in works to make them “obedient”
double minded (James 1:8)?