The Inseparability of Faith and Obedience
Faith and obedience are inseparable and necessary for understanding spiritual truth and living a life of New Testament Christianity.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that faith and obedience are inseparable, akin to two sides of the same coin, and that separating them leads to spiritual weakness and moral decline. He argues that true understanding of spiritual truth requires a full commitment to obedience, as demonstrated in John 7:17, where willingness to do God's will precedes knowledge. Tozer warns against the trend of prioritizing faith over obedience, which undermines genuine Christianity. He cites various scriptures to support his assertion that saving faith cannot exist without a corresponding willingness to obey. Ultimately, he concludes that one cannot be a true Christian without embracing both faith and obedience.
Text
The truth is that faith and obedience are two sides of the same coin and are always found together in the Scriptures. As well try to pry apart the two sides of a half-dollar as to separate obedience from faith. The two sides, while they remain together and are taken as one, represent good sound currency and constitute legal tender everywhere in the United States. Separate them and they are valueless. Insistence upon honoring but one side of the faith-obedience coin has wrought frightful harm in religious circles. Faith has been made everything and obedience nothing. The result among religious persons is moral weakness, spiritual blindness and a slow but constant drift away from New Testament Christianity.
Our Lord made it very plain that spiritual truth cannot be understood until the heart has made a full committal to it. ?If anyone chooses to do God?s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own? (John 7:17). The willing and the doing (or at least the willingness to do) come before the knowing. Truth is a strict master and demands obedience before it will unveil its riches to the seeking soul.
For those who want chapter and verse here are a few, and there are plenty more: Matthew 7:21; John 14:21; First John 2:4, 3:24, 5:2; First Peter 1:2; James 2:14-26; Romans 1:5; and Acts 5:32.
To sum it up, saving faith is impossible without willing obedience. To try to have one without the other is to be not a Christian, but a student of Christianity merely.
Sermon Outline
- Faith and Obedience are Inseparable points: - Faith and obedience are two sides of the same coin - Separating them renders them valueless
- The Importance of Obedience points: - Obedience is necessary for understanding spiritual truth - The willing and the doing come before the knowing
- The Consequences of Separating Faith and Obedience points: - Moral weakness and spiritual blindness result - A drift away from New Testament Christianity occurs
- Scriptural Support points: - Multiple passages emphasize the importance of obedience
Key Quotes
“As well try to pry apart the two sides of a half-dollar as to separate obedience from faith.” — A.W. Tozer
“The willing and the doing (or at least the willingness to do) come before the knowing.” — A.W. Tozer
“Saving faith is impossible without willing obedience.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must prioritize obedience alongside faith in order to live a life of New Testament Christianity.
- Obedience is necessary for understanding spiritual truth and experiencing spiritual growth.
- Separating faith and obedience leads to moral weakness and spiritual blindness.