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NASB | John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. [Ezek 36:25-27] |
Subject: What does Scripture mean by no works? |
Bible Note: Tim, thanks for replying here. I've been studying this question of obedience and faith for about the last 4 months, so I look forward to your always excellent comments. The cross crushes all question that salvation can be earned by our behavior. Salvation is a gift of God received through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3.21-26), His eternal, uncreated Son only (Acts 4.12). On this point we must be in agreement. I don’t believe, however, that once we have believed in “Him whom He has sent” (John 6.29) and are adopted into the family of God (Rom 8.15) that we have the categorical guarantee of heaven apart from our “works” (James 2), works being those deeds we do in loving faith according to His will and which demonstrate and perfect our faith and draw us closer to our Father. Faith is as faith does, as Abraham’s life exemplifies (James 2.21). Notice here how James deliberately inverts the time between the offering of Isaac, when he received the promise (James 2.21 - Gen 22), and the time his faith was reckoned to him as righteousness (James 2:23 – Genesis 17). Abraham was far more mature in former instance than the latter; his faith had increased by his works. Again, it is not works that save, but faith at work. Faith justifies, not instantaneously, but progressively, which is Paul’s meaning in Phil 2.12, and Peter’s (1 Peter 1.6-9), and James’ in chapter 2. Conversely to your point viz. Eph 2:8-10, faith (grace is also received in v.8), because it comes to us from God, not from ourselves (lest anyone should boast), saves not in and of itself (it isn’t from us, but from God, after all), but through our obedience to that gift of faith. Our initial obedience justifies us in the way our subsequent obedience justifies us (Abraham). That is why Paul links obedience to faith in Romans 1:5 and 16:26. Not by faith alone, but through the obedience of faith. That is not to say we are obliged to do X or Y in order to earn salvation, rather that Godly doing will be our saving desire, which is the difference between the letter of the law and the sprit of the law. I also have come to see the background of Romans not to be a Roman court of law, but the God’s covenant family of the Torah. It is far less a Judge’s bench than a Father’s family table, far less our acquittal than our adoption as children, children who may also go prodigal and lose our Father’s blessing, though He will move heaven and earth to bring us back. I’ve been listening to an excellent Study on Romans by Scott Hahn—a Catholic, of all things—and have a particular tape in mind for you. If you’d like, I’ll send it to you. Colin. |