Bible Question:
Perfect Sense of Balance -- A Worthy but Difficult Goal from the Introductions to these Books, of the New King James Version Galations The Galatians, having launced their Christian experience by faith, seem content to leave their voyage of faith and chart a new course based on works--a course Paul finds disturbing. His letter to the Galatians is a vigorous attack against the gospel of works and defense of the gospel of faith. Paul begins by setting forth his credentials as an apostle with a message from God: blessing comes from God on the basis of faith, not law. The law declares men guilty and imprisons them; faith sets men free to enjoy liberty in Christ. But liberty is not license. Freedom in Christ means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifestyle. James Faith without works cannot be called faith. "Faith without works is dead," Chapter 2:26, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must work, it must produce, it must be visible. Verbal faith is not enough; mental faith is insufficient. Faith must be there, but must be more. It must inspire action. Throughout his epistle to Jewish believers, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith. Faith endures trials. Trials come and go, but a strong faith will face them head-on and develop endurance. Faith understands temptations. It will not allow us to consent to our lust and slide into sin. Faith obeys the Word. It will not merely hear and not do. Faith produces doers. Faith harbors no prejudice. For James, faith and favoritism cannot coexist. Faith displays itself in works. Faith is more than mere words; it is more than knowledge; it is demonstrated by obedience; and it overtly responds to the promises of God. Faith controls the tongue. This small but immensely powerful part of the body must be held in check. Faith can do it. Faith acts wisely. It gives us the ability to choose wisdom that is heavenly and to shun wisdom that is earthly. Faith produces separation from the world and submission to God. It provides us with the ability to resist the Devil and humbly draw near to God. Finally, faith waits patiently for the coming of the Lord. Through trouble and trial it stifles complaining. I'm making preparations to start a new Wed nite Bible Class in which we're going to tackle a rather ambitious goal, a Survey of the NT. During my research tonite, I discovered the perfect way of putting into words what I've been trying to explain. Paul makes it very clear that we can never, ever even come close to earning our way to Heaven by works of faith. Our attitude MUST be one of gratitude that God extends Mercy and Grace and indeed that is a major requirement. Although at the same time, we must also understand this faith as Paul describes MUST also produce works as James describes in his epistle. No, works is not required to save us; it's required as proof that our faith is genuine, to prove our faith is real and productive in the Name of Lord. I beleive Jesus described this best with His Parable of the Vine and the branches in... John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. HE WHO ABIDES IN ME, AND I IN HIM, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; FOR WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. 6 IF ANYONE DOES NOT ABIDE IN ME, HE IS CAST OUT AS A BRANCH AND IS WITHERED; AND THEY GATHER THEM AND THROW THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (All caps are mine above for emphasis.) I'd love to discuss with you all. It seems the NKJV team read the original transcripts and understood it this way. Is there some other way to interpret this relationship between Faith and Works based on that Faith? Looking forward to some good discussion; Go with God in all His Ways, Bill |
Bible Answer: Bill, If I understood the post correctly, then it sounds like a good display of historical orthodox Christianity. There is a sense in which we may rightly say that nobody will be saved apart from holiness (Hebrews 12:14). However, we must constantly affirm with Paul, and indeed all scripture, that not one of these works hold any merit with regards to our justification before God. Renewed dispositions and resultant actions are always present with true faith because our faith does not merely unite us to the benefits of Christ's death, it also unites us to Christ in His ongoing life unto God in an ongoing manner (Romans ch 6). And indeed, we can not go on blatantly in sin because His seed abides in us (1 John 3:9). Not that I am suggesting perfection in this life (Philip 3:12-15.) So because we are not only united to the benefits of Christ's death, but by faith and by the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:10) we who believe are being transformed from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18.) But all of this ongoing conformity to the image of Christ is part of our salvation (Eph 2:8-10) NOT a means in any way of meriting salvation! Our justification before God comes through the merit and attonement of Jesus Christ to be received through faith alone. So let us speak boldly of works in that all Christians must seek to be rich in good works (1 Tim 6:18), but let us always loudly affirm that all good things that we will ever do are devoid of any merit in our justification before God. For God's acceptance of us is from faith receiving both the righteousness of Christ on our behalf, and the suffering of Christ on our behalf. God recieves us for Christ's sake and not for any good thing we do. And with regard to any man suggesting a faith that is devoid of any good works, let join James and decry that as a dead faith, a mockery of real faith. Not because works are any part of faith, not because works are needed prior to faith, not because works have any part in our justification, but only because we affirm that those who are by faith united to Christ and justified by Christ will then certainly be filled by the Spirit (Rom 8:9) and will unavoidably bear the fruit of the Spirit in due time. In Christ, Beja |