Julie Ratushny

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? Extra credit: If true faith requires obedience, how can we say that we are saved by grace rather than works? (Ephesians 2:8-10) They come together because we need both; however, we get the forgiveness through Jesus' death and resurrection, and according to Peter, we get the obedience through the Holy Spirit. It we live by the Spirit, our obedience bears the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus' command was to "love one another", the Holy Spirit enables us to do so as we are perfected to be conformed into the image of Christ. Through God's grace, we begin to "obey" by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and change us and the evidence of that obedience is the resulting action proving same. Not only does he choose us, save us and forgive us, he empowers us! I am graced by grace!

Until we know who we are in Christ, until we understand that we are only Ambassadors here, our focus is still on carnal things. Those who don't understand that we are only sojourners here will never know the freedom of having been moved into His marvelous light. Those who have their eyes on this world and its circumstances still live in darkness. The Word shines the light, through the Holy Spirit, once we have received Christ leading us to that rest and freedom. If we seek Him, we find Him. Only the grace of God can open that window, but once open, it cannot be shut. Praise the Lord!