In the last episode of Ask Paul Tripp, we answered theological questions about obedience

and disobedience and whether or not it impacts our relationship with God. Today, Paul, we have a

similar one. Brian asks, is it a must, in bold and underlined, to be baptized in order to go to heaven according to the words of

Jesus. For context, Brian is referring to verses 3 and 5 of John chapter 3. When Jesus says to Nicodemus,

truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

And then after Nicodemus asks, how can a man be born when

he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answers, truly,

truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Again, Brian asks, is it a must to be baptized in order to go to heaven according to the

words of Jesus? Again, these questions that were talking about seem very practical and simple

on the surface, but they tap into significant aspects of theology.

The question really is, am I ever saved by my obedience?

That's the question. Just remove baptism. Give me any other of God's commands and put it in there. And you have the same question.

God's commands are always right and always true and should always be obeyed.

This is the Lord Almighty, the Holy One. It's a big deal to turn my back on his commands.

Having said that, I am never accepted into relationship with God

and to the eternal state of that relationship because of my obedience.

Because... eternal state of that relationship because of my obedience. Because Romans says something that is incredibly humbling.

It's one of the most unpopular passages of Scripture.

It is that all of our righteousness are as filthy rags.

My obedience will never, ever be enough. My righteousness is never, ever enough. I am saved by grace.

And in an act of justifying mercy, God's righteousness, Jesus' righteousness worked out on earth.

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