Bible Question:
Aren't repentance and confession step of obedience? Let me answer that, yes they are. What makes them any different than baptism? God makes a comand and we obey, not out of a sense of entitlement, but because we love Him and want to follow him. God's gift is exactly that- a gift- we never could earn salvation. Baptism is not an added step, it the final step in a clearly delineated process. I once believed as you do regarding baptism. I got tired of twisting the Bible around to fit my beliefs. I just accept it for what it says. May God bless you. |
Bible Answer: Obedience is more accurately described as understanding and responding. Though it can also be referred to as an attitude: "The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything." 2Cor 2:9 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Phil 2:12 Regardless, it is in our best interest to be obedient. Adam and Eve got what they wanted, knowing good from evil, but they did it through disobedience. Obedience to God's commandments is an act of love. Jesus taught his listeners to have a different kind of righteousness, not a version of the Pharisees righteousness, which amounted to legal compliance. Our obedience must come from what God does in us, not what we are able to do on our own. Obedience must be God centered and not self centered. It must be based not on approval from people, but on reverence for God. And it must go beyond the fact that we do not break the law, but that we live by the principles that are the heart of the law Truthfully, it is much easier to teach the law than to practice it. But if we want God to care for us, we need to be submissive to Him and His directions. And yes, among His directions are those about repentance and confession God's grace to you, Tim |