By faith Abraham obeyed… Hebrews 11:8
Faith and obedience are distinct. We need to avoid mixing them up and confusing them. Faith is faith, and obedience is obedience. But faith and obedience belong together. They must not be separated.
Think about an apple tree. There’s a clear distinction between the apple and the tree. You eat the apples. You don’t eat the tree.
The apples spring from the tree. They are formed by the tree. If you want to have apples, you must plant an apple tree. And if you want to grow in obedience, plant the tree of faith.
As faith puts down its roots into the Word of God, so, gradually and increasingly, the good fruit of obedience will grow.
Faith is a living tree bursting with fruit. This is what we are learning from Hebrews 11. The opening verse describes the tree. It tells us what faith is: “The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (11:1).
That’s what faith is, and the rest of the chapter is all about what faith does. Faith listens to God. Faith walks with God. Faith fears God. Faith obeys God.
Grow in faith and you will grow in obedience. The more you believe what God has revealed and believe what God has promised, the more you will grow in obedience. Faith produces obedience, and obedience arises from faith.
What are some ways that you have seen your own obedience springing out of your faith? How were you disobedient before knowing Christ, and obedient after putting your faith in him?
