OBEDIENCE

Hebrews 4: 9-11 King James Version 9 There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

There is a REST for God’s people which is only found in obedience. Because obedience is simply a response to what God has already stated, there is no merit or credit in it. Therefore it is NOT “works-based”. However, there is effort involved—"Let us labour”…in obedience. That kind of “popular Christian doctrine” in the culture today which stands against “earning our salvation by works” is correct to emphasize God’s unmerited favor as the basis of our salvation…”For it is by Grace you are saved, through Faith…” However, to go so far as to fully remove effort from the dynamic of a proper relationship with God is error. Obedience is joined to Faith, just as Grace is to Salvation. In fact, if we fail to obey, we fail to believe! “…lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief”.