Living God’s Way: Purified because of obeying the truth

Carlton G. McPeak
Guest Columnist

A person becomes a Christian because of their “obedience to the truth.” The word “truth” in this context is defined as being the “word of God.” When a person is compliant with this imperishable, enduring word of God, they are “born again,” and they are purified (1 Peter 1:22-25).

A person learns of this truth because it is “preached” to them. Someone, either in a public or private manner, declares to them the good news concerning how one can be “purified.” Obedience to this message is an action, a dutiful and submissive compliance by a person because they want to be a child of God, a saved believer, a “born again” Christian.

From the perspective of one taking action based upon what they have heard, they have “purified [their] soul.” While God is the One doing the purifying, this passage tells us the action of the individual is included; they have a part in purifying their soul. For us to indicate it is only an action of God does not take into consideration this verse.

The word “obedience” indicates a completed action; something that has taken place in the past. In this context, it is an action of conforming or yielding to the message preached by Jesus, His apostles, and prophets. The saved believer’s lifestyle will be in harmony with the things which were preached and were obeyed.

In describing the message preached, Peter calls it imperishable; “the living and enduring word of God.” He says it is not like the grass of the field that withers, or the flower that falls off, but it is something that “endures forever.” God’s word is not going anywhere. It will not be destroyed or eliminated.

One of the greatest blessings for people in general is the “word of God,” which we call the Bible. This collection of writings has been preserved over time; they have endured the test of time.

It should be pointed out that it is the preaching of God’s message and the obedience to this message that will make a person pure in the sight of God. When a person is obedient to the truth, they will be free from the guilt of their sins. When they respond in obedience to hearing the message, their sins will be purged from the memory of God; He will forgive and forget their past.

Preaching the message of God, either from a pulpit or in a private conversation with someone, is the only thing that will purify a person’s soul. It is the starting point of being “born again.” However, this obedience is not a one-time action; it is only the beginning of living God’s way.

Carlton G. McPeak ([email protected])

is an evangelist working in the Florida Gateway region.

Scriptural quotations from the NASB.