Faith or work can save us?

[tgGodsway]

I’m on my cell for a few.
Mercy isn’t mercy unless it covers guilt. Paul said that God justified the ungodly. The ungodly who come to believe in Christ receive the gift of Righteousness. If they will enter discipleship and gain understanding, that gift will manifest in their works. If they do not enter, then their true identity is concealed by their ignorant living. But mercy is still theirs either way.

 

[tgGodsway]

Last thought. You mentioned justice. We get the word justified. God poured out all his justice on his own son and thus extinguished his wrath against us.

 

[De_Maria]

True gifts have no strings attached. …

Why do Protestants say that? Have you never said to your child, "I’ll give you (some thing they want) if you do your chores?

That is a gift with a string attached.

Have you never heard of donations to hospitals, museums, and schools, where the donor says, “I give you this money with the caveat that it must be used in accordance with my wishes.”

In the same way, God has promised to grant salvation to those who keep His Commandments:

Hebrews 5:9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,

 

[tgGodsway]

Well here lies the central problem. You may convince your child it was a gift, but in all reality it was paid for.

 

[tgGodsway]

A true gift from God has no manipulation, it is a free gift

 

[De_Maria]

Well here lies the central problem. You may convince your child it was a gift, but in all reality it was paid for.

Yes, but who paid for it?

Let me give another example:

A father has a daughter. He says to her, “if you graduate, I will give you a car.”

She graduated. Well, if she took her diploma to the car dealership, would she be able to exchange her diploma for the car? No.

What does that tell you? It tells me that the value of the diploma is not worth the value of the car. If it was, the salesman would gladly accept it.

But wait, the diploma is not worth the value of the car to the salesman. But there is a person to whom that diploma is worth the value of the car. Who is that?

The father.

Is the father obligated to give her the car because of the value of the diploma? No.
Is the father obligated to give her the car at all? Yes. Because he obligated himself.

Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Ok, so let’s translate it to our salvation.

God said, if you do good works, you will be saved. (Matt 25:31-46).

The Saints did good works. God saved them.

Did they earn salvation? No.

Did they merit salvation? Yes.

Therefore, salvation is a gift with strings.

 

[De_Maria]

A true gift from God has no manipulation, it is a free gift

No one obligated God to make the oath. Therefore, it is a free gift.

Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

 

[lanman87]

A father has a daughter. He says to her, “if you graduate, I will give you a car.”

She graduated. Well, if she took her diploma to the car dealership, would she be able to exchange her diploma for the car? No.

Your analogy is faulty. The girl earned the car. She worked for the car. . It has nothing to do with the worth of the diploma it has to do with the agreement between the father and daughter. He didn’t agree to give her a gift, he agreed to reward her effort. A gift and a reward are different things. One is free and the other is earned. God does reward our works both spiritually and eternally and sometimes temporally, however he doesn’t give us his free gifts because of our work.

If someone comes up to me and says they will “give” me $1,000,000.00 and all I have to do is wash their car once a week for a year then they aren’t really giving me anything. They are just paying me really really well for a service that I perform.

This is a major difference in theology between Catholics and pretty much everyone else. You would probably say the difference between what I deserve for washing ($100 a week maybe) the car and what I actually get for washing the car ($1,000,000.00) is the gift. I will say that while it is a very generous offer and I would be stupid to not take the offer, it is still a payment for services and is not really a gift.

 

[De_Maria]

Your analogy is faulty.

I disagree.

The girl earned the car. She worked for the car. . It has nothing to do with the worth of the diploma it has to do with the agreement between the father and daughter. He didn’t agree to give her a gift, he agreed to reward her effort. A gift and a reward are different things. One is free and the other is earned. God does reward our works both spiritually and eternally and sometimes temporally, however he doesn’t give us his free gifts because of our work.

So, say you. But Scripture is clear.

Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

As you can see, God only gives His mercy to those who keep His Commandments.

If someone comes up to me and says they will “give” me $1,000,000.00 and all I have to do is wash their car once a week for a year then they aren’t really giving me anything. They are just paying me really really well for a service that I perform.

Good point. Then you are saying that we earn salvation. Or perhaps you’re not aware of this parable by Jesus. I won’t post the whole thing because of the 3200 word limit. But its the one where the Lord hires several people to work in his vineyard early in the morning, then more in the middle of the day and then more in the evening. It ends like this:

Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Notice that Jesus is describing us as “labourers”. And further, describing salvation as being paid for our labour. This is precisely like your example. Therefore, you are saying that we earn our salvation.

This is a major difference in theology between Catholics and pretty much everyone else. You would probably say the difference between what I deserve for washing ($100 a week maybe) the car and what I actually get for washing the car ($1,000,000.00) is the gift.

Correct.

I will say that while it is a very generous offer and I would be stupid to not take the offer, it is still a payment for services and is not really a gift.

And that fits precisely the plan of salvation. God has generously promised to give much more than our labour is worth. Therefore, you see it as earning salvation.

But we describe it as a very generous gift given to those who obey His Word:

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

 

[lanman87]

But we describe it as a very generous gift given to those who obey His Word:

The problem with that the Bible doesn’t say that salvation is a generous gift, it says it is a free gift given to those who respond in faith(by faith I mean a changed heart that includes belief, trust, and love). It also says that salvation isn’t of ourselves. What you are describing is a salvation is, at least partially, “of ourselves”.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

And what does it mean to obey Him? It means to believe and trust in Him. Everything else we do is rooted in that belief and trust. 1 John 3 summarizes what it means to be obedient very well. 3 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

To obey God isn’t a religious system of do’s and don’ts. It is to believe (from the heart) in God and love (from the heart). Both of those things are changes to who we are on the inside and therefore it changes our attitudes and actions. When our heart is changed(faith, belief, trust) we receive the free gift of eternal life and our works are a result of the changed heart. God rewards and blesses us for what we do with those gifts, bu we receive the gifts a result of a heart changed by belief, faith, and trust.

We aren’t like High School students who are working hard to try and earn a scholarship by making good grades and participating in extracurricular activities and making sure we never get trouble. We are adopted Children of God who have been given the Gifts of God (Grace, Salvation, Eternal Life, Justification, Righteousness…) because God loves us and wants us to have them. He guides us and rewards us when He is pleased with us and disciplines us when we are disobedient. But He never takes away the gifts He has given us. God’s gifts are irrevocable.

 

[De_Maria]

But we describe it as a very generous gift given to those who obey His Word:

The problem with that the Bible doesn’t say that salvation is a generous gift, it says it is a free gift given to those who respond in faith(by faith I mean a changed heart that includes belief, trust, and love).

That’s true. And you just proved me right. You said,

The Bible… says it is a free gift given to those who respond in faith…which includes a changed heart, belief, trust and love.

So, let’s break that down. By your admission, the free gift is not given without strings. It is only given to those who demonstrate the following.
a. faith. But not alone. That faith must include…
b. a changed heart
c. belief, which I suppose is another word for faith, but which implies a readiness to learn all that the Lord Teaches.
d. and love. Now, I don’t suppose that means simply staring at people with google eyes and saying, “I love you.” I assume you mean that one must care for people and do one’s best to help their neighbor. In short, one must do righteous deeds.

Therefore, you have just described a gift with strings.

It also says that salvation isn’t of ourselves. What you are describing is a salvation is, at least partially, “of ourselves”.

First. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have to obey God to be saved. That means that we can’t claim to have done righteous deeds and then assume we have saved ourselves.

Ok, let’s look at Matt 7:21-25. Notice how these individuals claim they have done MIGHTY works, so they claim. But Jesus casts them into Gehenna. Why? What’s the disconnect?

They aren’t the Judge of what they have done. Jesus is the Judge. Therefore, the Apostle says:

1 Corinthians 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

Cont’d with lanman87

Second. This is the verse that you are paraphrasing.

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

That verse is Sacramental. It is in the Sacraments, especially Baptism, that Catholics are saved by grace through their expression of faith. The works which we have done will not save us, but if we hadn’t done good works, then we would not have proved our faith and the verse would not apply.

And what does it mean to obey Him?

To keep the Commandments.

It means to believe and trust in Him. …

Exactly! Those who do nothing or those who do wicked things, prove their lack of belief and trust.

1 John 3 summarizes what it means to be obedient …

Amen! We must love and take care of one another and do good to our neighbor.

24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, …

Amen! If we do good we abide on the vine. But if we don’t, the Father cuts us off and we are cast into the fire. Look at John 15.

To obey God isn’t a religious system of do’s and don’ts.

It is, in fact. St. Paul lists the don’ts, very forcefully:

1 Corinthians 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Here, he lists the do’s.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

It is to believe (from the heart) in God and love (from the heart). …

No doubt.

When our heart is changed(faith, belief, trust) we receive the free gift of eternal life …

Scripture says when we accept the free gift of faith, our hearts are changed and our works are the result of that change. Then God sees our works and rewards us with eternal life. (Romans 2:7).

God rewards and blesses us for what we do with those gifts, bu we receive the gifts a result of a heart changed by belief, faith, and trust.

This is actually true and Catholic Teaching. God does give us grace which is unmerited. I consider that to be the first dose of faith. Thereafter, if we abide in faith, He rewards us with other gifts and finally with salvation, or eternal life, if we persevere to the end.

We aren’t like High School students who are working hard to try and earn a scholarship by making good grades and participating in extracurricular activities and making sure we never get trouble.

That’s exactly how we are.

We are adopted Children of God …because God loves us and wants us to have them.

Because we have obeyed His Commands.

…God’s gifts are irrevocable.

On the contrary, if the disobedience is grave enough, we die spiritually and lose the gifts:

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

 

[lanman87]

Therefore, you have just described a gift with strings.

Yes, the only requirement is is faith alone, which in its fullness means belief, trust and love. None of those are works. They are all internal to the heart not external acts of righteousness However, they produce external acts if someone genuinely has faith.

That verse is Sacramental.

This verse is about how we receive the gift of Grace. It is by faith, not “of ourselves”. If grace is a gift then works of righteousness aren’t how we receive grace. It can only be by faith (internal) and not by the sacraments (external) or works(external) . Augustine said that the sacraments are outward signs of an inward grace. I agree with him. The sacraments are a picture of what God has done in our heart.

1 Corinthians 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

You left out the next part. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Paul is comparing believers to non-believers. The unbelievers are the unrighteous, the believers used to be that way but since they have come to Christ they have been made a new creation, the old things have passed away.

Then God sees our works and rewards us with eternal life. (Romans 2:7).

You are taking this verse out of context. Paul is setting up his teaching in Romans 2 by explaining to the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians in Rome how under the Jewish Law and the Moral Law that they both (Jews and Gentiles) are without excuse. Romans 2:7 is referring to how Jews were saved under the Jewish Law. Romans 3 and following Paul explains “but now” we receive the gifts of God through faith.

We aren’t like High School students who are working hard to try and earn a scholarship by making good grades and participating in extracurricular activities and making sure we never get trouble.

If this is true then grace, eternal life, justification, and salvation aren’t free Gifts. They are something we earn.

We are adopted Children of God …because God loves us and wants us to have them.

Because we have obeyed His Commands.

The BIble says we are adopted because the Spirit of God dwells in us.

On the contrary, if the disobedience is grave enough, we die spiritually and lose the gifts:

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

 

[De_Maria]

Yes, the only requirement is is faith alone, …

Scripture refutes you:

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This verse is about how we receive the gift of Grace…

That is corrrect. It is in the Sacraments that we receive the grace of God.

You left out the next part. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Paul is comparing believers to non-believers. The unbelievers are the unrighteous, the believers used to be that way but since they have come to Christ they have been made a new creation, the old things have passed away.

Keep reading. St. Paul is admonishing them not to sin, because if they do, they will not inherit the Kingdom. Therefore, a few verses down, he says:

15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Notice the reference to the Temple of the Holy Ghost. Remember what I was discussing with tgGW?

> 1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

You are taking this verse out of context.

No, you are. That is why you won’t quote v. 6:

Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Paul is setting up his teaching in Romans 2 by explaining to the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians in Rome how under the Jewish Law and the Moral Law that they both (Jews and Gentiles) are without excuse. Romans 2:7 is referring to how Jews were saved under the Jewish Law. Romans 3 and following Paul explains “but now” we receive the gifts of God through faith.

On the contrary, Romans 2 is the undergirding, the platform, the foundation of Romans 3.

If this is true then grace, eternal life, justification, and salvation aren’t free Gifts. They are something we earn.

They are free gifts which God gives to His obedient children.

The BIble says we are adopted because the Spirit of God dwells in us.

God does not give His Spirit to disobedient men.

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d with lanman87

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

You need to learn to read Scripture in context. Let’s read the rest of that section.

Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Very simply, God is saying that they have been cut off because of their lack of faith. But they will be joined to the body again, if they repent. Therefore, God gifts and calling are irrevocable, to those that persevere in well doing, to the end.

 

[lanman87]

Very simply, God is saying that they have been cut off because of their lack of faith. But they will be joined to the body again, if they repent. Therefore, God gifts and calling are irrevocable, to those that persevere in well doing, to the end.

In context, Paul is talking about God’s gifts and calling to the Nation of Israel.

Early in the Chapter it says:

It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

So while the Nation of Israel has been cut off there are still individual Jews who have come to faith in Christ.

But the verse in question is about the Nation of Israel.

Verses 25-29 does a good job of explaining.

I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
_ and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness._
27 _
And this is my covenant with them,
_ that I will take away their sins.”

28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.

So the context is that God will honor his gifts and calling to the Nation of Israel and that in some point in the future “when the full number of Gentiles come to Christ” the Nation of Israel will be saved.

So while this is dealing specifically with the nation of Israel, the principal is true for us as well. God doesn’t take back His gifts. He will do what he says.

 

[ajcstr]

Protestants believe that we are saved by faith only. They quote many Bible verses to approve their point. So how do we Catholics respond their arguments? Thank you very much. I’m bewildered.

I can’t recommend this talk highly enough. I like this forum but the responses you will get will make your head spin, especially when non-Catholics insert their opinion. As Martin Luther himself said “there are almost as many sects and beliefs as there are heads”

Faith and Works according to Paul and James

Dr. Pitre discusses the debated topic of how we are saved in Ephesians 2 and the Epistle of James. Understand the relationship between Grace, Faith and Works.

catholicproductions.com

7.95 for the CD or 5.57 for the mp3 and you will get the Catholic explanation on faith and works broken down for you and how it differs from the Protestant explanations you will hear. Dr. Pitrie is one of my favorites.

This should be used in RCIA !

 

[lanman87]

They are free gifts which God gives to His obedient children.

By that definition they aren’t gifts, they are rewards.

God does not give His Spirit to disobedient men.

God gives us the Holy Spirit because of our faith/belief.

so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Gal 3:14

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Eph 1:13

Once we receive the Spirit by Faith, we are adopted

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:14-16

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Gal 3:26

The only obedience required to be indwelled with the Spirit and become an adopted son is faith. And as I said earlier, faith is more than intellectual belief or an emotional response. It is a change of heart that in its fullness includes trust and love as well as belief. Faith is, in essence, the way we accept the gifts of God.

 

[De_Maria]

In context, Paul is talking about God’s gifts and calling to the Nation of Israel.

Correct. Notice that St. Paul clearly says that God revoked the gifts and calling from those who had no faith. You need to factor that in to your explanation.

Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

All of Israel were members of the elect. But some fell away. They are the ones that were blinded and the gift of salvation, revoked.

Early in the Chapter it says:

It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Still true. But as usual, Protestants take one verse out of context and make it a false doctrine. This verse in the context of Exodus 20:6

Exodus 20:6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

As is clear from Romans 11, God acts kindly, that is, with love, towards those who obey His Commandments.

So while the Nation of Israel has been cut off there are still individual Jews who have come to faith in Christ.

Correct.

But the verse in question is about the Nation of Israel.

Verses 25-29 does a good job of explaining.
…when the full number of Gentiles come to Christ" the Nation of Israel will be saved.

You’ve ignored the pertinent words. They will be saved when they turn to God in faith. They will not be saved if they don’t.

> 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

So while this is dealing specifically with the nation of Israel, the principal is true for us as well. God doesn’t take back His gifts. He will do what he says.

He will do what He says. And He says He will pour out His love and mercy on those who keep His Commandments. While He will pour out His fury, on those who don’t.

Romans 2:7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

 

[De_Maria]

By that definition they aren’t gifts, they are rewards.

Correct, they are merited rewards. God rewards good behavior with His free will gifts.

God gives us the Holy Spirit because of our faith/belief.

That’s one string.

so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Gal 3:14

This is a synthesis of that which happens in Baptism. It is in Baptism that we receive the grace of God and the promised Holy Spirit, by our proclamation of faith:

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Eph 1:13

Another summary of the Sacrament of Baptism. The problem is that Protestants discarded the Traditions of Jesus Christ and so don’t recognize the rite of Baptism paraphrased in this and many other verses of the Bible.

Once we receive the Spirit by Faith, we are adopted

In Baptism, yes.

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:14-16

The thing is that no one will receive the Spirit of God who does not obey God. Claims of faith are empty if they do not respond with love for their neighbor:

Romans 13:8 … for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Gal 3:26

Again, another summary of the Baptismal rite.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The only obedience required to be indwelled with the Spirit and become an adopted son is faith

Nope. It is keeping the Commandments.

1 John 3:24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

. And as I said earlier, faith is more than intellectual belief or an emotional response. It is a change of heart that in its fullness includes trust and love as well as belief. Faith is, in essence, the way we accept the gifts of God.

The Sacraments are the instruments that God has provided to pour out His gifts upon those who obey.