To clarify and to be sure
faith versus <- -> good works
DEFINITIONS: FAITH is trust and confidence in God. It is obedient action based on
1. The Nature of God:
He cannot change James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who
does not change like shifting shadows.
He cannot fail Job 42:2 I'm convinced:You can do anything and everything.Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
And He cannot lie Titus 1:2 My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end. This is the life God promised long ago
-and he doesn't break promises!
2. The Redemptive Work of the Messiah
Heb 12:2 Keep your eyes on Yeshua who both began and finished
this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight
of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God
-he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame,
whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside
God.
1Cor 1:30 Everything that we have, right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start all comes from God by Yeshua the Messiah.
3. The Word of God
Jer.1:12 יהוה YEHOVA said to me, ''You have seen correctly, for I am
watching* to see that my word is fulfilled."
Matt. 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will
never pass away. GRACE is God's unmerited favor Even though we were sinners and, deserving judgment, God looked upon us in love and forgave us.It is expressed inwhat we receive from God such as forgiveness and restored relationship with Him.
SALVATION By GRACE THROUGH FAITH
1. LEAVES OUT BOASTING BECAUSE OF WORKS
Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so
that no one can boast.
Gal 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, the Messiah died for nothing!
2. SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED
Gal 1:6-8 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of the Messiah and are turning to a different gospel -- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of the Messiah. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
3. ABRAHAM, HIMSELF WAS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH,
Consider Abraham: \He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.\ Gal 3:6
4. RELATION OF THE Torah (WORKS) WITH FAITH.
Gal 3:21,23-26 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of
God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart
life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to the Messiah that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in the Messiah Yeshua.
THINK OF THESE:
If salvation is by good works:
1. How many good works will a man do in order to be saved?
2. When can you say I have done enough good works?