Is obeying the Lord and His Commandments required for salvation?

[JLB]

He tell us to repent....
so when we DO repent we are obeying Him?

Yes, this is how we obey the Gospel; the truth.


We repent, which means we confess Jesus as Lord.


In ancient times this is how a person would join another kingdom, by bowing the knee or bending the knee in submission to a superior king... confessing their allegiance to him.


That was one of two choices.


Bend the knee or die.



JLB

 

[JLB]

Yes, Mark 1:14 Jesus was preaching to Jews in Galilee.

The same Gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached in the last days, in all the world, then the end will come.


And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14


The Gospel Jesus Christ preached, and sent His Apostles to preach, and commissioned Paul to preach.


If it doesn’t have the command to repent, then it’s not the Gospel.


in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:8




JLB

 

[crossnote]

Faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen is required for our salvation, obedience to His Commandments is a necessary fruit of that faith, otherwise salvation is by works.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
(1Co 15:1-4)

It's a matter of His obedience NOT ours...

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(Rom 5:19)

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

Obeying Jesus is Vital .....how do we obey? REST in the Gospel Of Grace , according to Heb 4 or God will declare you to be guilty of “ disobedience and UNbelief.....
The Ascended Lord gave us only TWO Commands—- Believe and Love. Nothing about Repentance ( you will not find that word in the entire Gospel Of John, btw ) Nothing about the Ten commandments. Nothing about “ picking up your Cross”. Nothing about “ Enduring to the end”.Concentrate on Resting in Paul’s Gospel......That will spur Love and that will spur Obedience.....an obedience from a New Heart- The only type of “ obedience “ that Pleases God......
In the end, Christianity is all about Love.....Any Belief,Any Doctrine That does not take you to that Love for God and Love for your fellow man has been a waste of your time....Until one Learns how too Rest in the Gospel- the Finished Work Of The Cross— you are spinning your wheels. God is not saving those “Trying” to be Saved. God is saving those “ Trusting” to be saved.....Trust in Paul’s Gospel Of Grace Plus Nothing for your Salvation.....That will get you the Holy Spirit ...That Spirit Will Transform you into the Image Of Christ.....you can Change yourself, Turn over a New Leaf,etc .....But only God can TRANSFORM you into a “ A NEW CREATION” ......it’s that “ Inside Of The Cup” thingy........God Bless....

 

[JLB]

Trust in Paul’s Gospel Of Grace Plus Nothing for your Salvation.....That will get you the Holy Spirit ...

And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. Acts 5:32


If Jesus is our Lord, should we not obey Him as Lord?


“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46


“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
John 14:15-16

The Lord desires for us to practice righteous, to love our neighbor as our self, which occurs when we live according to the Spirit within us, rather than the sin that dwells in our flesh.


Keeping the commandments that He has written on our heart and mind, is the way of love.


For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


To those who have the Spirit, His commandments are not burdensome.


If we do sin, we confess our sin, and He is faithful to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.


If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9



JLB

 

[JLB]

Faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen is required for our salvation, obedience to His Commandments is a necessary fruit of that faith, otherwise salvation is by works.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
(1Co 15:1-4)

It's a matter of His obedience NOT ours...

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(Rom 5:19)

When we are saved, born again; regenerated we are now “in Christ”.

This is by believing, and therefore obeying the Gospel.

Now that we are “in Christ”, we must remain “in Christ”.


If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6


Here is how we are instructed to remain “in Him”.


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24



JLB

 

[JLB]

But only God can TRANSFORM you into a “ A NEW CREATION”

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2


We by the Spirit, are able to present our body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him, to be used for righteousness rather than unrighteousness.

With the power of the Spirit within us, we can put to death the sinful deeds of the flesh, by not allowing sin to manifest.


Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14


Here are the two choices we as born again Christians have:

1. if you live according to the flesh you will die;
2. but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

We can live our lives being led by the sinful desires of our flesh, and be slaves to sin, or we can ”by the Spirit” crucify, or put to death the lustful deeds of the flesh.


Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8

1. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,
2. but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

The choice is yours.


Choose life.




JLB

 

[crossnote]

When we are saved, born again; regenerated we are now “in Christ”.

This is all made possible by the perfect obedience, faithfulness (not ours), death, burial and resurrection of Christ as well as the convicting and illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is a result of that saving work of grace.

Now that we are “in Christ”, we must remain “in Christ”.

Remaining in Christ is a matter of who we are, not what we do. 2Cor 5:17.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6

IOW, Jesus redeemed us so He can throw us into hell fire? Rather...

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
(Rom 5:10)

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24

Keeping His commandments is not what saves us rather it is the mark of one who is already saved.

Our being kept is a matter of His faithfulness not our (un)faithfulness. The former is perfect, the latter imperfect.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We are not saved by grace only to be kept by works.

 

[JLB]

This is all made possible by the perfect obedience, faithfulness (not ours), death, burial and resurrection of Christ as well as the convicting and illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is a result of that saving work of grace.

Thank you for sharing your well intentioned opinion with us.

I posted many scriptures to validate what I’m saying.


Here is just one point I made.

Now that we are “in Christ”, we must remain “in Christ”.


If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:6


Here is how we are instructed to remain “in Him”.


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24


What is it you disagree with about this verse —

• he who keeps His commandments abides in Him,

JLB

 

[JLB]

Keeping His commandments is not what saves us rather it is the mark of one who is already saved.

The point I made is not about what saves us, but how the scriptures teach us to remain
“in Christ”.

• he who keeps His commandments abides in Him,

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 3:24



JLB

 

[crossnote]

Here is how we are instructed to remain “in Him”.


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24


What is it you disagree with about this verse —

• he who keeps His commandments abides in Him,

My point is that it is not the keeping of the Commandments that keeps us abiding, but because we are already in Him, we keep His Commandments.
Through faith we have been baptized into Christ and by His Holy Spirit we have been sealed in that standing. It is God's work not ours and we ought to be overflowing with joy and thankfulness for our position in Christ rather than sweating bullets trying to abide.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(Rom 8:9)
Remember, being born again or regenerated means receiving a new heart, new desires, and a new nature that long to please God.

BTW, thank you also for sharing your well intentioned opinion with us.

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

1 John4:15........ “ Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son Of God, God abides in him and he abides in God”

 

[JLB]

My point is that it is not the keeping of the Commandments that keeps us abiding, but because we are already in Him, we keep His Commandments.

I know that’s your point, however the scriptures don’t say “because we are already in Him, we keep His Commandments.”

If the scriptures said that then I would agree.

As we all can plainly see, the scriptures don’t say that.

• he who keeps His commandments abides in Him,
  
  

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 3:24


Here is another —


Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7

• He who practices righteousness is righteous,

JLB

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

Jesus left us with Two Commands—#1 Believe. #2 Love
Forget the Law Of Moses in regard to Salvation.....Paul said it was “ weak and useless”, in that it had no Power to Save anybody.....The Gospel Of 1Cor15:1-4 is where the Power is at ...it is “ God’s Power to Save”
Follow God's Commandments and He will bless you for it.....He just won’t “ save” you for it......Paul said the Law was great, if you know how to use it .....proper use of the Law is manifested when you humble yourself before God and admit that you can’t keep it—- you need Jesus......Jesus Plus Nothing for Salvation ......anything beyond that is part of God's Sanctification Plan.....That would be God Transforming you into the Image Of His Son...... Christianity 101. God bless......

 

[JLB]

Jesus left us with Two Commands—#1 Believe. #2 Love

Ok. You list from the scriptures the commandments Jesus gave the Church and I will list mine.

Remember, keeping His commandments Is the definition of love.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


JLB

 

[JLB]

Forget the Law Of Moses in regard to Salvation.

The law of Moses has been abolished.

The law of Moses was a ”wall” that divided Jew and Gentile,
circumcised from uncircumcised. It created enmity between the two.


For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Ephesians 2:24-16



JLB

 

[JLB]

Follow God's Commandments and He will bless you for it.....He just won’t “ save” you for it......Paul said the Law was great, if you know how to use it .....proper use of the Law is manifested when you humble yourself before God and admit that you can’t keep it—- you need Jesus......Jesus Plus Nothing for Salvation ......anything beyond that is part of God's Sanctification

Again, my point was not about “being saved”, born again, which is initial salvation, or being joined to Christ as one spirit with Him. That occurs by grace through faith.

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:17


(Defining and understanding what grace is and what faith is, and how faith operates to produce the intended divine result is another discussion)


My point was how we remain “in Christ”.



JLB

 

[crossnote]

I know that’s your point, however the scriptures don’t say “because we are already in Him, we keep His Commandments.”

If the scriptures said that then I would agree.

As we all can plainly see, the scriptures don’t say that.

• he who keeps His commandments abides in Him,
  

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 3:24


Here is another —


Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7

• He who practices righteousness is righteous,

JLB

Ok, lets go a bit deeper in this if that is what you want.
First off,
in 1Jn 3:24 which Commandments are being referred to and how many commandments must we keep until (according to you) we are considered to be abiding in Him?

Second off, according to the title of the OP and your 2nd post...
" Is obeying the Lord and His Commandments required for salvation? "
It's unclear if you are the OP of this thread or FastFredy but by what you have been saying thus far and your affirmative vote of 'yes in the Poll, I 'll take it at that.
What do you refer to as 'salvation'? Is it our justification, sanctification, glorification or all three and how does 'obedience' play a role in each of those states/stages?
Are you speaking of 'faith in Christ' as being the obedience required or something further?
Please explain, otherwise I think we are talking past each other.

I know that’s your point, however the scriptures don’t say “because we are already in Him, we keep His Commandments.”

That's not all I said, I also spoke of Christ 'in us' as in ...

Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Here we see we already have salvation, we are to work through and grow in that salvation knowing (being encouraged by the fact) that it is God who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure.
I take vs 13 as a cleaning process by God...not in order to get saved or abide, but because we are His and He is molding and shaping us into the image of His Son.

 

[crossnote]

Again, my point was not about “being saved”, born again, which is initial salvation, or being joined to Christ as one spirit with Him. That occurs by grace through faith.

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:17


(Defining and understanding what grace is and what faith is, and how faith operates to produce the intended divine result is another discussion)


My point was how we remain “in Christ”.



JLB

You mentioned 'initial salvation' , but Scripture reveals just one salvation'' received by faith from first to last.
I believe I already said how we remain in Christ...
1 Peter 1:4-5 NKJV
[4] to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
[5] who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

John 10:27-29 NKJV
[27] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [28] And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

Ok. You list from the scriptures the commandments Jesus gave the Church and I will list mine.

Commands are all over the place, in the Old Testament or New, but it was Jesus Himself that said ALL of the Law was covered by Loving your Neighbor as you love yourself....Paul said the same thing....
1 John 3:23 tells us that Jesus left us with only TWO Commandments—- Believe and Love.Seems simple enough to me.....it encompasses everything that Jesus wants , so I don’t worry about anything else ......I concentrate on those two things and I know I am pleasing God.....I don’t “ believe” to the extent that I should. Neither do I “ Love” as much as I should.....but the monkey is on God’s back, to put it rather crudely. I actually have the Faith to Believe that God will keep His Word—— HE will finish the job that HE started and HE will Save me “ to the UTTERMOST! I Rest in those Promises...