Obedience to the Faith

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:5-6, NKJV

We have received liberty and authority, as slaves of Jesus Christ, to choose obedience. Only it's not obedience to the law; it's obedience to the faith.

In Paul's Judaism, salvation came from being a Jew and obeying the law of Moses. In Paul's Christianity, salvation came from believing in Christ (faith) and obeying Christ. The the obedience is still the same, the law is still the same. But the source of salvation has changed. Before, it was salvation by works--if you're good enough, you'll make it; if you're not, make a sacrifice. After Christ, it was salvation by faith because no one was good enough, and no sacrifice was sufficient to save from sin.

Now, our obedience is not to a law or set of commandments. Our obedience is to the faith--our faith in the Son of God. We are obedient to His words, yes. But we are also obedient to His will, His Spirit. Faith truly requires more than law, because law is about doing; faith is about being. Law is about body; faith is about heart. law is about outward appearances, doing what is right. Faith is about inward realities, being what is right.

We have received grace and apostleship.

We have received them so that we can be obedient.

Obedient to the faith.

Obedient among all the nations. Jesus' Great Commission was about taking the gospel...to all the nations, to every creature, into all the world. It is a universal gospel, universal in its power and meaning to all people everywhere. It accepts anybody, because it was given for everybody. And the gospel must be preached and our faith must be lived out among all nations.

Obedient for His name. Our obedience is not really about us, and neither is our faith. It's all about Him--Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of God! Our obedience is not for us either; it neither saves nor rewards. Obedience is our responsibility, our obligation, not our gift to Jesus. it is our life being offered in service and gratitude to Him, to bring honor and glory to Him, to make Him well spoken of in all the world! our obedience to the faith among the nations, is for Him!