Angels Marvel at the Obedience of Faith

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.


"Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:" (Rom 16:25, 26).

In this verse, the importance of obedience of faith is seen as the "the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures..." The obedience of faith springs from love of God Father, God Son, and God Holy Spirit. Without that love there can be no obedience, no true discipleship.

The relationship between faithful humanity and God is a matter into which even the angels desire to look (1 Peter 1:12).

In the Greek New Testament, there are only two words in this phrase: upakohn pistews -"obedience of faith." "Obedience" (upakohn) is in the accusative case showing that it is the designed result of God’s “grace” and “apostleship” (Rom. 1:5). Such grace is a cause of astonishment to the angels!

Grace (pistews) is a gift that cannot be earned. Apostleship is the God-given authority to convey the revelation of God’s salvation, to share the Gospel of saving grace. From the beginning, the Holy Trinity has been working out the salvation of all who turn to the Holy One.

This is the teaching point from Ephesians 3:9-10: "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."

The grace of God, the gift of faith, and the obedience of love are a cause of wonder among the heavenly hosts. These are to be celebrated in the Church and we are to pray for their increase.

Related reading: On God's Terms; Put Handles on Your Faith

Put Handles on Your Faith

 

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

The Apostle Paul urges Christians to put on spiritual armor and to take up the sword of the Spirit. The armor passage from Ephesians 6 is familiar to most Christians. Pastor Ed Lundwall wonders if some people are carrying swords without handles?

Image trying to use an ax or a sword without a handle. Handles make those "handy" and effective implements. 

God has provided the Christian with several handles that help us grow in the faith, stand firm against opposition, and defend ourselves against attacks by the evil one.

The first handle is faith that justifies. This sort of faith brings the mind, body, and spirit into harmony through submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the faith that regards God's promises as certain. 1 John 5:4b reminds us that “this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.”

The second handle is the Holy Spirit that directs, encourages, and preserves the follower of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:30 states that we have been sealed for the day of redemption in the Holy Spirit.

The third handle is the Holy Scriptures which instruct, exhort, and correct the person of faith. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Related reading: God's Provisions for Victory; A Disciple's Guide to Bible Study; Formed and Informed by the Bible; Expect Opposition: Stand Firm!; The Faith that Overcomes

Two Obedient Servants

 

Two very different men, Watchman Nee and Eric Liddell, concluded that knowledge and obedience to God are intrinsically linked. 

Watchman Nee wrote, "All knowledge is the outgrowth of obedience; everything else is just information."

Eric Liddell observed, "Obedience to God's will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. It is not willingness to know, but willingness to DO (obey) God's will that brings certainty."

Watchman Nee was a Chinese church leader, teacher, and writer who worked in China during the 20th century. He was seventeen when he became a Christian in 1920. Two years later, he initiated church meetings in Fuzhou that many consider the beginning of the local church movement. 

Nee died in a Communist prison on May 30, 1972. He was 69. His body was cremated before his family could arrive. Before his death, he left a piece of paper under his pillow. He wanted to testify to the truth which he had held until his death. That paper said: "Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ. Watchman Nee."

Eric Liddell was a Scottish athlete and devout Christian who refused to take part in an Olympic race because it took place on a Sunday. The story of this "Flying Scotsman" was dramatized in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. 

They never met each other, but they had much in common. Eric Liddell was born in 1902 to a missionary family in China. Watchman Nee was born in 1903 in China, the grandson of a gifted Anglican preacher. Both died in prison.

After deciding to abandon his athletic career, Liddell returned to China where he taught chemistry and organized sports at a boys school in Tientsin (now Tianjin). In 1934, he married and the couple had two daughters. He later began work as a village evangelist, traveling the countryside in a region of China where he frequently met with hostility from Communists and Chinese Nationalists. 

Liddell died on February 21, 1945 in a Japanese internment camp from a large tumor on the left side of his brain. He was 43. It was the same place where he wrote about obeying God’s calling for his life. He had dedicated his life to obeying God’s will and teaching others to live in accordance with God’s Word.

Related reading: An Obedient Servant of the LORD; The Goal of Discipleship