Obedience to Faith- - TAMIL Christian Bible Study

Romans 1:3-5

Obedience to the Faith

Romans 1:3-5, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

The original Greek word can be read as ‘Obedience of Faith.’ One of the essential characteristics of Faith is obedience which is very missing in our days. Not only in this letter to Romans but in other letters to the churches Apostle Paul stresses the need for obedience to the Gospel.

Gospel is that we have been justified by God. We have been reconciled to God.

But all these happened to us not by any of our effort or work but by faith alone.

Romans 1:16-17, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” So, Apostle Paul makes it amply clear that this was done by faith alone. We will study this letter we will find Paul goes to great length until chapter ⁴ end that it is by faith.

Romans 3:21-23, But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Apostle Paul in his introduction puts it across it is not just having faith in the Gospel but to have obedience to the faith. Not obedience of works.

Obedience

What is obedience? It is submission.

It is commitment. When it comes to Gospel it is not just believing in your heart but to accept it and then surrendering yourself to the Gospel.

Romans 6:17-18, But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. ¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Paul describes a person conversion like this

First you believe in your heart Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly you submit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:10, For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. In the scripture heart is not just emotions but your intellect or whole of your personality. Making a theology out of Romans 10:10 we have so many false believers among Christianity today. They simply make a confession and their life never reflects according to the word they have confessed.

Let me show you one example from our Lord’s teaching.

Matthew 21:28-31, “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ ²⁹ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. ³⁰ Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. Obedience is not just merely saying but doing and going in this case. So, to be a true believer in the Gospel then one must not stop at just believing but surrendering to Gospel. According to Paul’s teaching no one can regard as believer in Christ just by believing the gospel who has not repented and turn from life of sin to life of obedience to Godin Jesus Christ.

When we say we believe the gospel means then we obey the gospel. If someone says that they Believe in the gospel, Believe they are sinner, Believe they are hell bound,

Believe the wrath of God, Believe they cannot save themselves, Yet they do not accept that God has provided a way for them to be saved by the atoning sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ then they are not saved. If they accept that then surely their life will be turned around.

Since they knew their sin and what a horrible death Jesus has endured then they will feel sorry for their sin and turn away from it. One cannot be a Christian unless believe Jesus Christ as not just Saviour of sin but also the Lord of their life.

Faith is an always obedience. Turn away from Sin. Turn to God with thankfulness.

All nations

The gospel is not just for the Jews but also for all the nations. Though Apostle Paul claims to be the Apostle for the Gentiles, yet the gospel is for all nations.

Romans 11:13, For I speak to you Gentiles; in as much as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, Church in Rome has both Jews and Gentiles!

Remember what the Lord told Paul when he was called to minister?

Acts 26:17-18, I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

This is one of the reasons Paul says that he is not ashamed of the Gospel.

Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Chapter 1:20-until 3:20 Paul talks about that every human needs the gospel. He completes the section with this question.

Romans 3:29, Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,

When the fullness of time comes everyone will come to know God.

Romans 11:25-26, For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶ And so all Israel will

be saved, as it is written

Apostle Paul tells the Christians in Ephesians how God has broken the wall of separation between them.

Ephesians 2:12-16, that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Apostle Paul here the letter to Romans he is announcing that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Saviour for the whole world. He is rejoicing to say this truth. Like Simeon did it when he saw the baby Jesus in his arms.

Luke 2:28-32, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ²⁹ “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; ³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation ³¹ Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, ³² A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” Jesus Himself made this proclamation. When he learned from the Apostles Philip and Andrew that some of the Greeks have come to see Him.

John 12:32, And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

John 10:16, And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. So, Jesus is not just the Jewish Messiah but the Saviour of the whole world.

Apostle Paul puts across so beautifully.

Romans 1:3-5, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, For His name sake! In the Old testament we find the Jehovah God revealed Himself in many names. His name shows of His Person, of His Motives, of His Desires and of His Activities. Similarly, we see some of the professional made name for themselves. Some of the institutions made name for themselves. Here the name of our Lord Jesus Christ stands for His glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31, Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

One great motive pushed Paul to do everything for the sake of the name of Lord Jesus Christ be glorified among the nations. Remember the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ’s High Priestly prayer?

John 17:10, And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Paul fully convinced that working and doing ministry if being part of the glory of Lord Jesus Christ on this earth. Not believing in Lord Jesus Christ is the sin.

John 16:8-10, And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

God glorified when you honour the Son.

John 17:4-5, I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

How can you glorify God? Believe in Him.

He is the only Son of God. He is the Saviour of our soul. We do not just glorify God in our words but by our lives!

1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;

God who brought us from the sin and eternal death to light and eternal life. So, we walk worthy of His call. Not only we glorify God in our lives but also, we do take our responsibility very seriously. When we receive some gift, we say thank you and then we also make that kindness known to others.

Illustration

Doctor heals you from incurable diseases. We are looking forward to Jesus Christ return. He will return as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Paul wanted to tell the whole world about the Saviour of this world.

Psalms 2:6-12, “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” ⁷ “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” ¹⁰ Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. ¹² Kiss the Son, lest [j]He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Will you put your trust in Him completely? Will you tell of His great love to others?