"We hold that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law".
I didn't write that, Paul did in Romans 3:28.
Many Christians think that they are living in freedom because they do not live according to the Law of Moses. Some judge the Orthodox Christian faiths as leaning towards the law because of traditions and practices they observe. We miss the point entirely when we think this way.
Paul is writing about 'faith righteousness' and he uses Abraham as his example. He is making the point that we are righteous by faith in the finished work of Jesus not by any effort of our own. Not by performance. Not by good works. Not by man's measure or standard.
Romans 4:13 tells us that all the promises of God came to Abraham by faith. Verse 16 tells us that all these promises are ours by faith.
In the fourth chapter of Romans Paul goes to great length to make sure we understand this. Again, Abraham is his example. Paul is clearly saying that Abraham, before the law, even before he was circumcised, was reckoned righteous before God by faith. Rom.4:10.
What is the point? We hold that any human soul is righteous before God by trust in what Jesus did rather than what he/she does. It is not about the idea that since we are not required to live by the law of Moses any longer that we are now walking in the 'freedom' that the New Testament speaks of. No, we walk in true freedom when we are convinced in our hearts that we are secure in our relationship with God because of the great love He demonstrated toward us by the sacrifice of Jesus.
The point is best expressed in Romans 4:3 " What does the scripture say? 'Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness'"
What reckoned Abraham righteous? "It" What was the it? Belief. Faith. Trust.
God want us to trust Him.
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Dear Ray,
ReplyDeleteI think I understand, mostly, what your emphasis is...There is nothing we can do to make ourselves any more "right" with God...if we have faith in Christ, it is that saving faith that saves us, not our works. I know you are not going to the other extreme, that is "pluck the string, I am free"...in other words...might as well live like the devil...you are saved anyway.
But my question then becomes, what about holieness. What am I to do with all the verses in 1 John 3:3, 6, 9, 10...) "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure...No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. The one who practives righteousness is reghteous, just as He is righteous...No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him, and he can not sin, because he is born of God."
Obviously this calls me to a frustrating standard, because I can not met it. I do have faith in Christ alone to save me...but then it seems I am to as an outworking of the Spirit of God changing me, become a person with fruit of the spirit and a life of holieness. I can not met that standard.
Please read my article on the 'Articles' page entitled "The Power of God". I believe it will answer many of your questions. At least it will explain to you what I believe re: your questions!
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