Bible Question Can anyone answer my question?

[manalan]

Hello and blessings everyone,

I have been a Bible-believer for over 30-years.

For the past 12-months or more, I have been making enquiries to a variety of Christian ministry leaders, using the template below. My aim is to see if I can obtain an answer to my question. Given that I have been unable to obtain a suitable answer, I am hoping that someone on this forum may be able to give me a suitable answer.

My Question​

The scripture verse below - as stated in the King James Bible by the Apostle Paul says:

“But THEY [i.e. today's Christians?] HAVE NOT ALL OBEYED THE GOSPEL. For Esaias [Isaiah 53:1] saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16)

Given that the scripture verse below plainly states that Salvation is:

“...by GRACE are ye SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the [free] GIFT OF GOD: 9 NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The question here is that if Salvation is a "FREE GIFT" as stated above (and also in Romans 5:15, 16 and 18), what is the situation involving OBEDIENCE that the Apostle Paul is referring to?

NOTE: The term “OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL” can also be seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and 1 Peter 4:17 -— therefore knowing WHAT to OBEY and then COMPLYING with the requirement I believe is most likely to affect one’s Salvation.

Please tell me what your thoughts are.

Blessings.

 

[WheresTheTruth]

Hello and blessings everyone,

I have been a Bible-believer for over 30-years.

For the past 12-months or more, I have been making enquiries to a variety of Christian ministry leaders, using the template below. My aim is to see if I can obtain an answer to my question. Given that I have been unable to obtain a suitable answer, I am hoping that someone on this forum may be able to give me a suitable answer.

My Question​

The scripture verse below - as stated in the King James Bible by the Apostle Paul says:



Given that the scripture verse below plainly states that Salvation is:



The question here is that if Salvation is a "FREE GIFT" as stated above (and also in Romans 5:15, 16 and 18), what is the situation involving OBEDIENCE that the Apostle Paul is referring to?

NOTE: The term “OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL” can also be seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and 1 Peter 4:17 -— therefore knowing WHAT to OBEY and then COMPLYING with the requirement I believe is most likely to affect one’s Salvation.

Please tell me what your thoughts are.

Blessings.

Since the KJV is usually used, the confusion begins! And most 'Christians' aren't really listening...

 

[AdServersite]

Hello and blessings everyone,

I have been a Bible-believer for over 30-years.

For the past 12-months or more, I have been making enquiries to a variety of Christian ministry leaders, using the template below. My aim is to see if I can obtain an answer to my question. Given that I have been unable to obtain a suitable answer, I am hoping that someone on this forum may be able to give me a suitable answer.

My Question​

The scripture verse below - as stated in the King James Bible by the Apostle Paul says:



Given that the scripture verse below plainly states that Salvation is:



The question here is that if Salvation is a "FREE GIFT" as stated above (and also in Romans 5:15, 16 and 18), what is the situation involving OBEDIENCE that the Apostle Paul is referring to?

NOTE: The term “OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL” can also be seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and 1 Peter 4:17 -— therefore knowing WHAT to OBEY and then COMPLYING with the requirement I believe is most likely to affect one’s Salvation.

Please tell me what your thoughts are.

Blessings.

Salvation is absolutely a free gift, as stated in Romans 5:15–18. It cannot be earned by good deeds, religious rituals, or moral performance. It is given by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

However, obedience is not the cause of salvation—it is the result or evidence of it.

---

Clarifying the Relationship Between Grace and Obedience​

Paul speaks of obedience, especially in Romans 6, not to contradict grace, but to explain what happens after receiving the free gift of salvation. True salvation transforms a person’s heart and leads to a life that seeks to obey God—not to earn salvation, but because of love and gratitude.

Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

---

Think of it This Way:​

• Salvation is like being rescued from a sinking ship (grace through faith).
• Obedience is what you do after being rescued—you follow the instructions of the Rescuer out of gratitude and desire to live differently.

Paul refers to "obedience of faith" in Romans 1:5 and Romans 16:26, showing that obedience flows from faith, not the other way around.

Romans 6:17 (KJV)
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

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So What’s the Bottom Line?​

• Salvation is received, not achieved.
• Obedience is evidence, not currency.
• Grace is free, but it’s not cheap—it transforms the life of those who truly believe.

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Warning from Paul:​

Romans 2:6–8 (KJV)
“Who will render to every man according to his deeds... Unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.”

This shows that willful disobedience is evidence of an untransformed heart—a heart that has likely not truly received the free gift of salvation.

---

Final Thought:​

True salvation is like a seed planted in the heart. If it’s real, it will bear fruit—and part of that fruit is obedience to God.

John 14:15 (KJV)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”