The Marks Of True Faith: 2.The Obedience Of Faith - Zac Poonen
Summary
True faith is marked by maintaining a good conscience, which involves acknowledging, confessing, and seeking forgiveness for sins both before God and others. Furthermore, true faith is demonstrated by the 'obedience of faith for his name's sake,' which is distinct from actions done for personal gain or reward. On the final day, God will judge not only our actions but also the hidden motives behind them.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the obedience of faith?Paul's ministry and the letter to Romans are framed by the phrase 'the obedience of faith,' which distinguishes true faith from obeying for personal profit.
Babylonian business versus heavenly sacrificeWhile worldly Christianity operates on a business principle of trade and profit, true spiritual Christianity operates on the principle of sacrifice and love.
Judgment will reveal hidden motivesAt the judgment seat of Christ, the Lord will bring to light secrets done in darkness and evaluate the hidden motives behind why we did what we did.
How Old Testament obedience workedUnder the Old Covenant described in Deuteronomy 28, people obeyed to receive earthly blessings or to avoid physical curses and punishments.
The new standard of obedience through loveJesus shifted the entire motive for obedience with one statement in John 14:15, establishing that keeping His commandments is the proof of our love for Him.
Faith working through loveExternal rituals matter nothing compared to faith that works through love, which forms the true core of the new covenant.
Repenting from dead worksThe elementary teaching of Hebrews 6 calls believers to repent from dead works, which includes religious duties done out of fear or business transactions with God.
God's longing for our welfareIn Deuteronomy 5, God expresses His deep desire that His people would keep His commandments always so that it might go well with them and their children forever.Deuteronomy 5:29
Trusting our heavenly Father's wisdomJust as children eventually realize their parents' rules were for their protection, true faith trusts that everything God commands is for our absolute good.
Overcoming the unbelief of EveJust as Satan deceived Eve by making her doubt God's love and goodness, disobedience today stems from the unbelief that God's commands restrict us rather than protect us.
A fiery law from a loving heartDeuteronomy 32 reveals that even the fiery law came from God's right hand because of how much He loves His people, making His new covenant commands a joy to obey.
