CARTOON, LAW AND GRACE BY DR. E. J. PACE
Today, divine law, human works, and salvation through the righteousness of Jesus Christ are topics. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “William” (Level 1 with 9 points, a member since November 08, 2016) posted the following:
What is the difference of works and faith ? and why do christians say you only need faith and jews and islam say you need both?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1st John 2: 1-6, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Work of Forgiving (11/23/2016); Law Requires Genuine Righteousness (07/28/2016); Can A Church Not Be "Religious"? (07/27/2016); Why Are Works Required? (07/18/2016); Sin Also Made Incarnate? (04/25/2016); On Doing Good Deeds (02/02/2016); Saved by Faith and Works? (09/15/2015)
“William”, in the holy writings there are two major ideas spoken of as “works” among Christian believers. “Good works” are understood to be acts of good will, charitable giving, kindness, and volunteering ones time. The “works of the law” are the things commanded in the covenants, ordinances, statutes, and legal decisions called “testimonies”. The law was provided to help men recognize that sin was contrary to their own continued existence, and did not name every specific act that should be regarded as forbidden. For Christian believers today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures spoken of as “the law and the prophets,” and the entire Bible are accounted as having authority, and serves as a standard and “law”. Because many confused and mistakenly applied these ideas in the early church as being the same, the apostles provided plain instruction to clarify the benefits and greater freedom from the new covenant and testament in the blood of Christ. Even today, those who despise divine authority, discipline, duty, obligation, and restrictions, insist that “the law” from GOD was “nailed to the cross,” and that Christian believers are free to do whatever they please without fear of judgment or reprimand. More correctly, acceptance with divinity is through the fulfillment of the law by Jesus, and the believer continuing in the righteousness of acting in faith, rather than by their strict adherence to previous judgments, civil and sacred legislation, or human traditions. Consider the following:
(1.) Romans 3: 20-23, King James Version (KJV): 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(2.) James 1: 21-25, KJV: 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
(3.) 2nd Peter 2: 9-11, KJV: 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
(4.) Romans 8: 3-5, KJV: 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(5.) James 2: 15-20, KJV: 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (6.) Philippians 3: 8-10, KJV: 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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