Posted on 07/12/2024 8:00:30 AM PDT by patriot torch
Since the age old discussion between law and works vs Grace repeats itself continuously, I though I'd compile some Scriptures proving it is by Grace through Faith we are saved not of works!
James says faith without works is dead.
Hebrews never says faith ALONE - did you read the letter to the Hebrews?
To which I have assembled the following response....beginning with a Scripture we all are familiar with in Ephesians:
Ephesians 2:8 King James Version
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Hebrews 11:4 King James Version 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:5 King James Version 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:7 King James Version 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Hebrews 11:8 King James Version 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews 11:8-10 King James Version 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:17 King James Version 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Hebrews 11:20 King James Version 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Hebrews 11:21 King James Version 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:23 King James Version 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
Hebrews 11:24 King James Version 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Hebrews 11:26-28 King James Version 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Hebrews 11:29 King James Version 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30 King James Version 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrew chapter 11 alone accounts for the words “through Faith” or “by Faith” 16 times.
So is this where you revert to James AGAIN?
Let’s examine what is said about works by the Apostle Paul who was given the message of Grace to give to the church shall we?
Romans 3:26-28 King James Version 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 4:1-3 King James Version 4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Romans 9:31-33 King James Version 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Romans 11:5-7 King James Version 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Galatians 2:15-17 King James Version 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Galatians 3:1-6 King James Version 3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Colossians 1:21 King James Version 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Titus 3:4-6 King James Version 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
John 6:
28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Sometimes I try to understand how to interpret Scripture through the spirit as well as the letter.
Works don’t precede faith. Instead, works are the product of genuine faith. Works are the fruit of the spirit indwelling us.
**3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.**
By the time of that testimony from God in Genesis 15:6, Abraham, at God’s command, had traveled over 600 miles with his family and livestock (the old fashioned hard way), built three altars and sacrificed on them.
That’s the theme of Hebrews 11. The evidence of faith is action.
Jesus Christ commended:
The cripple that was lowered through the roof, the woman with the issue of blood, the woman that anointed him with ointment, and the centurion....
AFTER they made the effort to get his attention.
Pastor James is right. Faith without is dead because those that have been truly brought to repentance, will be compelled to serve the Lord. We serve the Lord out of love for Him as He grants us repentance.
The Mortification of Sin - John Owen
The Doctrine of Repentance - Thomas Baxter
The church has utterly forgotten what the Reformers had to say on this, and they were a lot smarter. Instead, it latches onto easy-believism, externalism, antinomianism, nominalism, legalism, and every other “ism” to replace what is plainly taught is Scripture: you cannot continue walking in sin. The Holy Spirit will not allow you to do it.
“Works don’t precede faith. Instead, works are the product of genuine faith. Works are the fruit of the spirit indwelling us.”
Exactly.
I believe we are living at the time prophesied by Jude contending for the recovery of the Gospel of the Grace of Christ that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3) (by Paul in 2/3's of the New Testament).
Another key declaration in scripture:
Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.Rom. 6:14.
How about the Old Covenant of the Law being replaced by the New Covenant of Grace?
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.Heb. 8:7-12."For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
How can a righteous and holy God not remember our sins? Because he remembered them, judged them, and condemned them all on the body of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. We're not saved by OUR works, we are saved by the grace of HIS perfect work on the cross (Heb 10:12-17).
The traditional church has missed that and while they continue in the false doctrine of being under the law, which doctrine is condemned in Galatians, the Gospel of the Grace of Christ is being restored to the church in these last days.
Thank you Jesus and thanks for sharing.
——>Works don’t precede faith. Instead, works are the product of genuine faith.
Correct. Saved by grace, then obey. Unfortunately, many Christians will come up short in the judgment. The bible is very clear on who will be saved and who the devil hates. Crystal clear.
Revelation 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 12:17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The problem is that works is not defined. The SDA’s say it is Sabbath-keeping and diet. The UMC says it is embracing gays and trans people.
God’s commands are listed in the bible. You should try looking. A good place to start may be the 10 commandments. Anything Christ tell us to do by example is also a command.
Jesus defined works
John 6:
28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Isn’t that the same basic area where it tells us not to wear a garment made of 2 kinds of cloth and not to eat pork? The 10 Commandments is half “Don’t do this”. Not murdering is not a good work. Most of the OT is big pile of “Don’t do this”. The biggest exception is temple ordinances.
But what does it mean to “Believe”?
James 2:19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The devils believe, but they are lost.
You write, “Works don’t precede faith. Instead, works are the product of genuine faith. Works are the fruit of the spirit indwelling us.” Wonderfully put. Amen.
Believe is the verb form of the word Faith.
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
This is believing on Christ for salvation, not just believing that God exists.
Galatians 3:1-14 NASB95
[1] You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
[2] This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
[3] Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
[4] Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
[5] So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
[6] Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
[7] Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
[8] The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
[9] So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
[10] For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”
[11] Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
[12] However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”
[13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”—
[14] in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Is it works or grace that drives your anti-Catholic bigotry?
Acts 15:22-29 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
Romans 14:1-8 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
Colossians 2:16-23 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
When someone adds something to the finished work of Christ on the cross, they are depending on that thing to save them, not Christ.
Those who insist on sabbath keeping, baptism, diet, etc, thinking it contributes to them attaining salvation, are wrong.
Paul makes it clear here that doing those things does not make anyone more spiritual either.
As a matter of fact, Paul points out that the Spirit states that requiring dietary restrictions is a sign of a false teacher.
1 Timothy 4:1-5Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
If the Law that God established does not make one right before God, NOTHING man concocts or adds to it will either.
Believing unto salvation is more than intellectual assent.
Lots of people intellectually acknowledge that God and Jesus exist and Jesus came and died for us, but stop short of letting that become a reality in their lives. They won't submit to Him and let it change their lives and accept it as a personal relationship. They do their religious duties and figure that will please God and hope for the best.
But works do NOT atone for sin and cannot erase them before God.
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