FAITH THAT WORKS
07/02/13 02:11
When talking about the Ten Commandments, and obeying other commands which were given us, I often get a response, “We are saved by grace, not by works”.
One of several things I found to be true; No where in the Bible will you find saved by works. Likewise, no where in the Bible will you find judged by grace. We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8) and judged by works (1 Peter 1:17).
Can we be lost by our works? Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. If someone is genuine their behavior will be evident in their life. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works” Matt 5:16 (KJV)
Sodom and Gomorrah captured, in bondage, but were saved by grace (Gen 14); for Abraham refused payment (salvation is free). Yet, because they still refused to turn from their ways, judgement was set upon them by their works (Jude 1:7).
We are saved by grace but bad works indicate that our heart has not be renewed and we have not converted. The parable of the unmerciful debtor is another perfect example of this (Matt 21:35).
“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:15 (KJV): this is bad works; and while God’s love is unconditional our salvation IS conditional.
The exodus of Israel out of Egypt is a typology of the operation of our salvation, and probably one of the best examples. A lamb was sacrificed and the people had to apply the blood of that lamb. The children of Israel were in bondage but by applying the blood they were freed from bondage. After they were saved, when they were hungery God gave them bread, when they were thirsty God gave them water, and He protected them when they were attacked. After they were saved they were baptized in the Red Sea. All this God did out of Grace. Then He brings them to Sinai where He entered into a covenant with them.
God starts the Ten Commandments by saying, “I saved you, now if you love me (Ex 20:6, John 14:15) here’s My Law”. God does not give them the Law until He completely saves them from their bondage.
Now, notice this... How many of those who were saved from bondage made it to the promised land? Two. Because of rebellion and lack of faith the many who were saved by grace from bondage were judged by works and did not make it. God not only wanted to save them from Egypt, He wanted to save them from sin; justified than sanctified.
For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Romans 2:13 (KJV)
But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridle not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
James 1:25-26 (KJV)
One of several things I found to be true; No where in the Bible will you find saved by works. Likewise, no where in the Bible will you find judged by grace. We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8) and judged by works (1 Peter 1:17).
Can we be lost by our works? Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. If someone is genuine their behavior will be evident in their life. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works” Matt 5:16 (KJV)
Sodom and Gomorrah captured, in bondage, but were saved by grace (Gen 14); for Abraham refused payment (salvation is free). Yet, because they still refused to turn from their ways, judgement was set upon them by their works (Jude 1:7).
We are saved by grace but bad works indicate that our heart has not be renewed and we have not converted. The parable of the unmerciful debtor is another perfect example of this (Matt 21:35).
“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:15 (KJV): this is bad works; and while God’s love is unconditional our salvation IS conditional.
The exodus of Israel out of Egypt is a typology of the operation of our salvation, and probably one of the best examples. A lamb was sacrificed and the people had to apply the blood of that lamb. The children of Israel were in bondage but by applying the blood they were freed from bondage. After they were saved, when they were hungery God gave them bread, when they were thirsty God gave them water, and He protected them when they were attacked. After they were saved they were baptized in the Red Sea. All this God did out of Grace. Then He brings them to Sinai where He entered into a covenant with them.
God starts the Ten Commandments by saying, “I saved you, now if you love me (Ex 20:6, John 14:15) here’s My Law”. God does not give them the Law until He completely saves them from their bondage.
Now, notice this... How many of those who were saved from bondage made it to the promised land? Two. Because of rebellion and lack of faith the many who were saved by grace from bondage were judged by works and did not make it. God not only wanted to save them from Egypt, He wanted to save them from sin; justified than sanctified.
For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Romans 2:13 (KJV)
But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridle not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
James 1:25-26 (KJV)
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