We Believe In Jesus: The ProphetSample

Faith in God: 1 John 5:3-4

Jesus and other biblical prophets encouraged continued faith in God and obedience to his covenant so that their audiences would receive God’s blessings. And this principle applies to modern Christians, as well. If we hope to receive the blessings of salvation when his kingdom comes in all its fullness, it’s important for us to persevere in faith, and to demonstrate our faith by obedience to God’s covenant. We see this in many places throughout the New Testament, such as Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-12, Hebrews 12:1-11, and James 2:14-18. 

As just one example, consider the words of 1 John 5:3-4:

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:3-4).

As John taught here, true Christian faith overcomes — it perseveres — both in its commitment to God, and in its expression in obedience to God’s commands.

Admittedly, it’s a struggle to persevere in faith and obedience as we wait for God to fulfill his promises. But this same challenge has faced God’s people in every age. It was true in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, and throughout church history. But we know that God’s promises are sure, and that Christ will eventually return to finish what he started.

You know, the apostle Paul is really clear in his letters about our motivation for faithfulness in Christ. It is to remember what Christ has done for us, remember our salvation. That is the most basic motivation. But, you know, Scripture is also very keen to inform us about other motivations. First of all, it’s very honest about the fact that there’s a day of judgment coming. We’re going to give an answer for every idle word and every idle deed. Well, that ought to be a motivation to faithfulness. We also have the bigger picture which is that we will find our greatest joy in our deepest obedience. Who would not want that joy? Why would we rob ourselves of that joy knowing that our motivation is not just in order to avoid the punishment and judgment of God, but rather to receive the blessings that God gives us through obedience? Scripture’s also clear about something else. We are living before a watching world, and our credibility in Christian witness has a great deal to do with whether the world can see us living faithfully in Christ. You know, that really raises the stakes, so to speak, and reminds us we have multiple motivations for faithfulness in Christ. – Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Click here to watch We Believe in Jesus: The Prophet, lesson three in the series We Believe in Jesus. Biblical Education, For the World, For Free. thirdmill.org