In our last
lesson, we saw that Grace as a comprehensive Biblical term
represents everything God did in providing salvation to mankind.
The wages of sin is death (Romans
6:23), which means eternal separation from God. Sin is a
violation against God and causes mankind to lose fellowship with
Him. God is absolutely holy and absolutely just and He
cannot just overlook sin. There has to be punishment for
sin and that punishment is eternal separation from fellowship
with God. The only way man can regain that fellowship is
if he pays the just penalty for that sin. It doesn't matter what that sin
is, the penalty is the same. We have all lost our fellowship with God and that
cannot be restored unless we pay the penalty in full.
Thankfully for us, God is rich in
grace and mercy and He doesn't want to see man suffer for all
eternity. He wants man to have a chance to regain that
fellowship so
He came up with a plan where man can have a hope of being
reconciled without having to suffer an eternity of punishment.
God was under no obligation to do this. There is nothing
mankind can do to earn or pay for it, we don't in any way
deserve it. Nothing man did
compelled God to do this. And this means of reconciliation
came at great personal expense for God. Namely the life of His
Son as a substitutionary death penalty for us. God could have
washed His hands of mankind and walked away to leave mankind to his
fate forever and God would have been perfectly within His right to
do so. He didn't owe man anything. Mankind got himself
into this predicament all by himself without any help from God.
God was absolutely blameless in all that man did. God had
no obligations towards mankind whatsoever in this entire affair.
But because God
loves us so much, He graciously came up with a plan
whereby man could be reconciled to Him and escape the death penalty of
sin. Grace can be illustrated as God reaching down from
heaven towards sinsick and doomed mankind with an offer of
salvation. His motivation for doing this came entirely out
of His love for mankind. That's grace.
Faith as a
comprehensive Biblical term represents man's response to God's
gracious offer. We respond to God's grace by faith.
Grace alone cannot save us because if it did, then everyone
living would automatically have their tickets punched for the
ride to heaven no matter how they lived. We have to
respond to God's gracious offer in order to receive it.
The response we must give is represented in the Bible as faith.
It is by grace that we are saved through faith (Ephesians
2:8).
Neither
grace nor faith are mutually exclusive, meaning one does not
rule or cancel the other one out. Our salvation is not by
grace only because we must have faith. Salvation cannot be
by faith only because we must have grace. Salvation
is made available by grace through faith. Two roles, two
actions, two responses working together. God responded to
our situation with grace. We respond to God's offer
through faith. In order for either one of these to be of
any benefit to us, we have to have both.
Now when we
read on to Ephesians 2:9 we see another point that Paul makes in
that context. "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
So how do works operate in our faith response? This is a
very important question that needs to be answered because there
a vast number of people who believe and teach that faith is
really faith only and that no works are necessary. They
support this teaching by saying that works don't save us.
And within the proper context, they are absolutely right.
Works don't save us. The remainder of this lesson is going
to examine the role of faith and how it relate to works.
First of
all, we need to define what a work is. A work is any
mental or physical act that is intended to produce a result.
The act of making a decision is a work. Even the mental
exercise of believing something is a work. Believing
something requires the intake of information upon which a
decision is made. That is an act which is intended to
produce a result.
The Bible
even defines faith as a work in 1 Thessalonians 1:3
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and
labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the sight of God and our Father". And again in 2
Thessalonians 1:11, "Wherefore also we pray always for you,
that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil
all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith
with power" (KJV).
Faith is a
work. Now for those who believe and teach that Biblical
faith means 'faith only' and that we are saved by faith without
works, this becomes a problem because if we are not saved by
works, then we cannot be saved by faith which is defined as a
work in scripture. So then how do we solve this problem?
How can be saved by faith which is a work, but not be saved by
works? The simple answer to this is that, yes the
word of God does teach us that we are not saved by works, but it
never says we can be saved without them. The understanding
that not being saved by works and being saved without works is
an assumption that is totally foreign to what the word of God
actually teaches us about faith and works.
Our understanding of faith and works must come from a comprehensive
view of all that was written about them. Jesus declared in Matthew
7:21 that only the obedient would inherit eternal life. One cannot
be obedient to Jesus without engaging in works.
There are more than one kind of works and more than one
way which they are relevant to our salvation. Not all works are the
same and not all of them have the same application in regards to our
salvation. So one must ask, in what way do my works save and in
what way do they not save me?
1) The gift of God's grace,
which is everything He did in order to secure a means and hope
of salvation for mankind cannot be bypassed by any work.
God's grace cannot be taken away from or diminished by any human
work. God's grace cannot be earned, payed for or deserved
by any human work. In that way, our works cannot save us.
Our works cannot save us by going around God's grace.
2) God was under no
obligation to provide man a means of salvation. He would
have been perfectly well within His rights to let us die.
The entire plan of redemption for mankind was all set in place before time began
1 Peter 1:20. Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, "But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us." No human work can add to or take away
from that commitment. In that way, we are not saved by our works.
Our works cannot save us by going around God's plan of
salvation.
3) Jesus gave His life for us
(Galatians 2:20). He died the death we deserve (1 John
2:2). No
human work can make that sacrifice unnecessary. In that way, we are
not saved by our works. Our works can not save us by going
around the blood of Christ.
4) Jesus said in John 14:6,
" I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me." No human work
can bypass Christ and get us to the Father. In that way, we are not
saved by our works.
5) We were dead in our sins before we came to Christ (Colossians
2:13). He purchased us with His own blood (Acts 20:28). We were
purchased with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). We are
therefore His possession (Eph 1:14). We were dead, and now we are
alive. The cost was Jesus’ blood. We belong to God. He is
rightfully entitled to everything we do. Every work we engage in
rightfully belongs to Him. Our works are not solely ours to decide
what to do with. There’s nothing we can do that will buy us back
from God. We have nothing to offer that does not already belong to
Him. In that way, our works cannot save us.
In our last lesson, we looked at
the term faith as it was used in many applications in the word
of God. We're going to go back through a few of those and
make some observations as it relates to the subject of works.
Let's keep in mind as we go through this list
that faith is defined as a work in the word of God which we saw
earlier in this lesson.
Faith is a Work: 1
Thessalonians 1:3, "Remembering without ceasing your work of
faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord
Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father" And
then again in 2 Thessalonians 1:11, "Wherefore also we pray
always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this
calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and
the work of faith with power..."
The inspired apostle Paul defined faith as a work.
The work of Faith is our Shield: Ephesians
6:16, "Above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts
of the wicked."
Using our faith as a shield is a
work of faith. We cannot use our faith as a shield and
quench the darts of the wicked without engaging in a work.
Using our faith as a shield requires a decision to do so and
then the act of doing it. God does not owe us anything
when we do this. We don't deserve God's grace nor can we
merit our salvation by making our faith a shield. We
have not bypassed Jesus with this work of faith. We have
not added to nor taken away from God's grace with this action in
any way shape or form.
The work of Faith is both a sacrifice and a
service: Philippians 2:17, "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service
of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all."
Sacrifices are things we have to
give up. Service is something we do for one another and
for those outside Christ. We cannot engage in a faith that
sacrifices and serves without doing something. A faith
without sacrifice and service would be a faith that is missing
these works. James wrote in chapter 2 and verse 14, "What
doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and
have not works? can faith save him?" This was a
rhetorical question which had the implied answer of 'NO'.
It is not possible for faith alone to be a sacrifice and a
service. It is not possible for faith to be a
sacrifice and a service without works. The work of Faith
therefore includes the work of sacrifice and service.
That being said, this work of faith does not merit us salvation.
It doesn't pay for it, it cannot add anything to what God has
done for us, It cannot save us apart from the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ. In these ways, our work of faith through sacrifice
and service can not save us.
The work of Faith is a Walk: 2 Corinthians
5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight".
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them."
Colossians 2:6, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so walk ye in him..."
The work of faith includes a
walk. A walk is a way of life lived. It is not
possible to walk a way of life without engaging in a work.
Our work of faith must include our walk, our way of life.
This work of faith is not meritorious, meaning we don't deserve
eternal life, nor have we earned it. It cannot get us to
heaven apart from Jesus Christ, nor can it make His sacrifice
for us unnecessary. These are ways in which our walk of
faith cannot save us. But this does not mean our
walk of faith is not necessary.
James wrote in James 2:17, "Even
so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
James says that a faith without works is alone and dead.
James made it clear in verse 14 that a faith without the walk
will not save us.
The work of Faith is a trial: 1 Peter 1:7,
"That the trial of
your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour
and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ"
A trial is a test of faith,
patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or
temptation. We cannot endure the trial of faith
without doing something. James wrote in chapter 2 and
verse 18, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have
works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee
my faith by my works." We show our faith to
others when we endure the trial of our faith and overcome
suffering and temptation.
The trial of our faith cannot pay for our salvation.
This work of faith cannot get us a home in heaven apart from
God's grace. We don't deserve God's grace when
we work the trial of our faith. These are ways in which
our work of faith cannot save us. It does not mean that
our trial of faith is unnecessary.
The work of Faith is a Fight: 1 Timothy
6:12 "Fight the good fight
of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also
called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of
many witnesses"
Fighting requires defensive and offensive actions. We have
to defend and carry the truth of God's word to the lost.
One cannot engage in a fight without doing something.
Fighting the good fight of faith requires action. James
wrote in chapter 2 verse19-20, "Thou believest that there is
one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is
dead?" James declared that a faith with no works is a
dead faith. In verse 14 of James 2, He made it clear that
faith only would not save. A dead faith cannot produce a
living soul.
Fighting the good fight of faith is a work. Does this work
of faith merit God's salvation? No... Will this work
of faith make Jesus sacrifice on the cross for our sins
unnecessary? No... Will this work of faith repay God
what it cost Him to offer us salvation? No way...
These are ways in which our fight of faith cannot save us.
There are things that our works simply cannot do and we need to
know this in order to have the proper mindset or attitude about
them.
Biblical Faith is a Shield, faith is a sacrifice, faith is a
service, faith is a walk, faith is a trial, faith is a fight,
therefore faith must be a work.
Works cannot earn or merit us salvation but we can’t be saved
without them. Jesus declared in Matthew 7:21, "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." Since we cannot get into the
kingdom of God without doing His will, then we know we can't get
there without works.
Works cannot compel God to offer man a means of reconciliation but
we cannot be reconciled without them. Paul wrote in Titus 3:5,
"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" God
implemented the plan of redemption all on His own without any
help or motivation from us whatsoever.
Works cannot place us in a
position where we can boast of our salvation. Ephesians
2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast." Works can never be used to make
us prideful, but we cannot be saved without them.
Works cannot replace Jesus on the cross, But we can’t be saved
without them.
Works cannot bypass Jesus to gain access the Father but we can’t access
Him without them.
Works cannot repay what it cost God to save us, but we can’t be
saved without them. 1 Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God's." The price that was paid for
us has nothing whatsoever to do with our works. Works
cannot repay that debt but we certainly cannot be saved without
them.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:8-9
"...God, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the
world began"
God's grace was given to us
through Christ Jesus. That decision was made before time
began. Nothing we can possibly do can change that, add to
it or take away from it. But that does not mean
works/obedience to God is not necessary,
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
We cannot obey the gospel without working. Its just not
possible. Those who obey not, or fail to obey, will be
punished forever. Faith without obedience leads to
destruction. Faith without works is dead.
James 2:20-22, "But wilt thou
know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not
Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac
his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his
works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (KJV)
We have looked at lot of things
that works cannot do. Now let's take a little time and
look at some of the things the word of God says works can do.
The work of obeying Jesus makes
us wise: Matthew 7:24
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house
upon a rock:"
Failing to obey Jesus makes us
foolish: Matthew 7:26-27
"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:
and great was the fall of it."
Works of obedience to God
demonstrates our love for Him: John 14:23-24
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him."
Works of disobedience to God
demonstrates that we do not love God: John 14:24
"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word
which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."
Those who work righteousness are
accepted by God: Acts 10:35
"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him."
Works of obedience makes us
servants of righteousness: Romans 6:16
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto
death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Works of righteousness make us
righteous 1 John 3:7
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."
Failure to work righteousness results in our not being of God:
1 John 3:10
"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children
of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God,
neither he that loveth not his brother."
If we fail to work obedience to
God's commandments and claim we know Him, we are liars with no
truth in us: 1 John 2:4
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
Those who do work obedience to
God's commandments are in God and also have God perfected within
them: 1 John 2:5
"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God
perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."
Those who work obedience have
purified their souls: 1 Peter 1:22
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love
one another with a pure heart fervently"
Works of obedience will help us seek for glory and honour and
immortality and eternal life: Romans 2:6-7
"Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them
who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life"
Failure to obey will result in
condemnation: Romans 2:8-9
"But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the
truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil,
of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile"
Those who do good will be
resurrected to eternal life while those who do evil will be
resurrected to condemnation: John 5:28-29
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;
and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Obedience to Jesus Christ results
in Him being the author of our eternal salvation: Hebrews
5:9
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him"
Good works result in good things.
Bad works result in bad things. But one thing we must
never forget is that no matter what good we may do in life, our
works did not promote God to offer us salvation. They can
not pay for it. They cannot earn it. No matter
what good we may do we don't deserve it. We can't work our
way to heaven without Christ. We can't work enough to get
around the need for His death on the cross. Those are
things that works can never do and we must always keep that in
mind. We can never work enough to gain an eternal
inheritance in heaven apart from God's grace and our faith.
But on the other side of the
coin, we also can't get to heaven without works either. If
we want to be saved, we are going to have to work for something
we can never earn, never pay for, never merit, never deserve and
never get apart from God's grace.
John 6:27
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give
unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
The
Sermons, Bulletin Articles and Bible Studies published in this
website are from sound members of the church of Christ
and are free to everyone. We feel the price was paid when
Jesus died on the cross. Please feel free to use any
of the content found within this website for the spreading of the
Gospel to all.
Matt 11:28-29 "Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls."
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