B-A-C
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- Dec 18, 2008
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On one hand we have Paul telling us...
Rom 3:20; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:28; For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Gal 2:16; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
But on the other hand we have James telling us...
Jas 2:20; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless
Jas 2:21; Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:24; You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25; In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
At first glance it may seem that these are contradicting each other. But after a second glance I don't think so.
Paul adds three words that James doesn't add. What are those 3 words? Let's look at those verses again.
Rom 3:20; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:28; For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Gal 2:16; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
of .... the .... law. Are all works works of the law? No. Is there a commandment in the law that says thou shalt sacrifice your son? No. But Abraham was justified by attempting to do it.
Is there a commandment in the law that says thou shalt hide the spies of the enemy? No. But Rahab was justified by doing it.
If you think about it, this is really what Paul is saying in Ephesians.
Eph 2:8; For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:10; For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
... not as a result of works (of the law).. for we are created in Jesus "for good works" which God prepared for
us in advance.. "so that we would walk in them". All works that God wants us to do are not necessarily works
of the law.
Matt 5:16; "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
1 Tim 2:9; Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,
1 Tim 2:10; but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
1 Tim 6:17; Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
1 Tim 6:18; Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
God isn't against us doing "good works". Paul isn't saying we aren't saved by doing works.. "of the law".
Rom 3:20; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:28; For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Gal 2:16; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
But on the other hand we have James telling us...
Jas 2:20; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless
Jas 2:21; Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:24; You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25; In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
At first glance it may seem that these are contradicting each other. But after a second glance I don't think so.
Paul adds three words that James doesn't add. What are those 3 words? Let's look at those verses again.
Rom 3:20; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:28; For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Gal 2:16; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
of .... the .... law. Are all works works of the law? No. Is there a commandment in the law that says thou shalt sacrifice your son? No. But Abraham was justified by attempting to do it.
Is there a commandment in the law that says thou shalt hide the spies of the enemy? No. But Rahab was justified by doing it.
If you think about it, this is really what Paul is saying in Ephesians.
Eph 2:8; For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:10; For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
... not as a result of works (of the law).. for we are created in Jesus "for good works" which God prepared for
us in advance.. "so that we would walk in them". All works that God wants us to do are not necessarily works
of the law.
Matt 5:16; "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
1 Tim 2:9; Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,
1 Tim 2:10; but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
1 Tim 6:17; Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
1 Tim 6:18; Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
God isn't against us doing "good works". Paul isn't saying we aren't saved by doing works.. "of the law".