From Disobedience to Obedience

Paul wrote to Titus, “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” – Titus 3:3
Can you relate to that? That verse describes living for yourself, in whatever capacity that becomes. Some are simply “good” people, living for themselves and trying their best to get along. Others dive into “life” offered by this world without reservation. Things like sports, fashion, material goods, “hobbies,” politics, etc., become a source for living. Others are overcome by addiction. At one time, we were among them.
Somehow, by the grace of God, and His own declaration, we became obedient. How did this happen? I am not referring to one who overcomes addiction and fights his way to freedom from alcohol. Nor am I referring to one who realizes that she has lost sight of what is important, worked too many hours for too many years, and suddenly comes home to love her husband and children. No, both can be examples of someone who is still lost, and remains condemned—an object of God’s wrath. The kind of obedience that we applaud because we see it, can still be fruitless and without value to God. I am compelled to ask, “How did this happen to us?”
The answer is faith. Faith was given, and you became obedient to it.
Through Him and for His Name’s sake, we have received grace and apostleship to call people…to the obedience that comes from faith. Rom 1:5

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile… Rom 3:22
So, something that does not even look like obedience in this world, is obedience in God’s sight. Faith in the Name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is equivalent to obedience. His Name IS righteousness for all who believe. His Name IS justification from all our sins. The beginning of salvation for someone is when they are overcome by faith. Their resistance to the truth ceases. Faith exposes the lie they once believed, and their eyes are opened to see Jesus. The seed has taken root and begins to grow within.
Going from disobedience to obedience is a miracle. For we are speaking of spiritual things. The spiritual condition of your soul will always define your entire being—spiritual and physical—in God’s sight. So if the cup is dirty on the inside, it is also dirty on the outside, no matter what it looks like. Likewise, if it is clean on the inside, the outside is clean as well. This is why we no longer call ourselves sinners, though our flesh still may be tempted and fall from time to time. Faith in Jesus Christ defines you.
Now, the obedience that comes from faith, can translate to physical obedience as well. That which was once impossible becomes not only possible, but well within reach, as we abide in Christ. The reason God can call you holy, obedient, blameless, etc., though you have a flesh, is because your flesh has been crucified (separated from you) and is powerless to resist the Spirit within. For this reason, physical obedience to God is available, not by your own power, but through faith in Jesus Christ. The spiritual defines the physical. The Spirit is far greater than the flesh.
The root of faith is love, reaching down into your soul. But roots always have a purpose. They are the foundation of a plant that rises to the surface and breaks through the soil (your flesh). Obedience to saving faith becomes obedience to the Holy Spirit and His love. The plant, now visible for the world to see, bears fruit that will last for eternity. There are some in this world who are appointed to eat the fruit that you will bear, through faith.