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What is obedience to the gospel?
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."
Please take note that this is essential to one's salvation. It says those who do not obey the gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction.
I believe the gospel is defined for us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In context, 1 Corinthians 15 is talking about "believing the gospel" (See 1 Corinthians 15:11).
But there is another kind of thing we must do besides believe the gospel. It is called "obeying the gospel."
So again, what is obeying the gospel?
I believe it is defined for us in Scripture:
Obeying the Death of Jesus Christ:
Crucify the affections and lusts:
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24).
Take up your cross (Die to self):
"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).
I see the "taking up your cross" as this: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2).
We should be dead to grievous sin's effects and we should no longer live in any kind of grievous sin anymore:
1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? " (Romans 6:1-2).
6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:6-7).
Obeying the Resurrection of Jesus Christ:
"...that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (Romans 6:5).
Side Note:
I believe the "death/burial" is also symbolic of Spirit baptism as per Romans 6:3-4. Granted, in this passage it sounds like water baptism and indeed it is referring to water baptism. But that is how they accepted the Lord back then and receive Spirit baptism. Paul said elswhere that he came not to baptize. So obviously we NEED to be baptized as per obeying the death aspect part of the gospel. We need to crucify the affections and lusts. This can happen when a person accepts Jesus as their Savior and they believe in His death and resurrection for salvation. It can happen when a believer seeks forgiveness of their sins with the Lord Jesus Christ and they crucify the affections and lusts in their life by the power of the Lord.
For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."
Please take note that this is essential to one's salvation. It says those who do not obey the gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction.
I believe the gospel is defined for us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In context, 1 Corinthians 15 is talking about "believing the gospel" (See 1 Corinthians 15:11).
But there is another kind of thing we must do besides believe the gospel. It is called "obeying the gospel."
So again, what is obeying the gospel?
I believe it is defined for us in Scripture:
Obeying the Death of Jesus Christ:
Crucify the affections and lusts:
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24).
Take up your cross (Die to self):
"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).
I see the "taking up your cross" as this: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2).
We should be dead to grievous sin's effects and we should no longer live in any kind of grievous sin anymore:
1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? " (Romans 6:1-2).
6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:6-7).
Obeying the Resurrection of Jesus Christ:
"...that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (Romans 6:5).
Side Note:
I believe the "death/burial" is also symbolic of Spirit baptism as per Romans 6:3-4. Granted, in this passage it sounds like water baptism and indeed it is referring to water baptism. But that is how they accepted the Lord back then and receive Spirit baptism. Paul said elswhere that he came not to baptize. So obviously we NEED to be baptized as per obeying the death aspect part of the gospel. We need to crucify the affections and lusts. This can happen when a person accepts Jesus as their Savior and they believe in His death and resurrection for salvation. It can happen when a believer seeks forgiveness of their sins with the Lord Jesus Christ and they crucify the affections and lusts in their life by the power of the Lord.
For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
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