nikolai_42
Well-known member
Several verses speak of "obeying" the gospel (Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and I Peter 4:17 most apparently). In Romans 6:17, Paul says that the Romans had "...obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."
Far from being an invitation to law-keeping for salvation, the apostle is clearly saying that there is an injunction that accompanies the gospel which cannot be fulfilled superficially. In fact, it seems as though this obedience Paul commends is absolutely essential to the free gospel.
Doesn't this lay so much on (and read so much in to) the necessity to and the full understanding of "believe" that this belief is only possible in a pure heart? What inclination (of itself) does the impure and unbelieving heart have to become pure?
Far from being an invitation to law-keeping for salvation, the apostle is clearly saying that there is an injunction that accompanies the gospel which cannot be fulfilled superficially. In fact, it seems as though this obedience Paul commends is absolutely essential to the free gospel.
Doesn't this lay so much on (and read so much in to) the necessity to and the full understanding of "believe" that this belief is only possible in a pure heart? What inclination (of itself) does the impure and unbelieving heart have to become pure?