"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8,9).
The Hebrew writer speaks of Christ learning obedience, then says that Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him. Jesus stressed the importance of obedience in the sermon on the mount as He said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Jesus emphasized that the thing which will determine whether a man will be saved is dependent on doing the will of God or obeying God.
However, many believe and teach that obedience is not necessary to salvation. They believe that man is saved "wholly of grace" by faith in Christ and that man does not need to do anything to be saved from his sins. But what do the Scriptures say? As we have noticed, Jesus and the Hebrew writer taught that obedience accompanied salvation. Without obedience there is no salvation, but eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). In James 2:14-26, James is talking about faith and works (works of obedience) says that faith without works is dead. The point is that if faith does not have the obedience required; then faith will not produce life. Obedience to the commands of God is what causes us to be born again (John 3:3-5).
As we think of obedience we must understand that it is not merely doing certain things, but involves doing the things God commanded; being prompted to submit to the will of God. Obedience must be based upon faith in God through Christ (Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 28:18). Noah, by faith, built an ark to the saving of his house (Hebrews 11:7). And by faith Abraham pleased God as he obeyed the commands of God even attempting to offer his only son upon the alter according the command of God (Hebrews 11:17-19).
When Peter told those at Jerusalem to "Repent and be baptized" in Acts 2:38, he spoke the will of God to men. He told those gathered there that they needed to obey the command of God (Luke 13:3; Mark 16:16). Even though these were religious people that had perhaps traveled great distances to be at Jerusalem for a religious observance, they lacked obedience to the command of God to be saved. They were similar to those in Matthew 7 that claimed to be workers of many wonderful works, but were lacking in doing the will of the Father.
We must understand that in order to be saved we must obey the commands of God to receive forgiveness. To do the will of God we must do what the Lord has told us in His word, then we will be saved by faith, but we are not saved by faith short of our obedience to God and His will. Noah, Abraham, and all the great men of faith were saved after they obeyed the commands of God. Have you done what the word of God teaches us to do? If not, obey him today for those that "obey not the gospel... shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).