Justifed by works?
Most people will tell you that works are a part of God’s redemption plan for our lives which of course was purchased for us at the cross. Let’s look at Romans 4v2.
There we see that if Abraham was justified by works he could maybe glory in himself and maybe even in front of others. But the last part of the verse tells us that one place he could not glory was before God. If anyone thinks they are justified by what they have done, are doing or will do, they may be able to boast to others about what they think they have accomplished but definitely not before God. It may make you look good in front of people when they see your good works but those people can not give you access to God. You can impress people all day long or you can disappoint people all day long, it does not change your relationship with God.
The system of law that used to measure works as to whether you were or were not acceptable to God was removed when Jesus nailed the law to the tree. The law (works) does not measure that way anymore. What we have with God in Christ has absolutely nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with Jesus and what He did. The covenant was not made between us and God but between God and God. In verse 3 we see that Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
We must remember that Abraham is not a type and shadow of us but of Christ. In verse 4 we see that him that worketh is the reward not counted of grace but of debt. So if you are doing any type of work to attain favor with God it is no longer a work of grace but a debt to you because you worked for it. No one can put God in a place where He is obligated to do anything for us because of our works. Only the cross and the faith of Jesus have received a response from God.
Our works to attain anything with respect to God does not “cut it” with God and it doesn’t activate a response. It simply creates a debt because we worked for it and it is not by works. It is all about Him and not about us at all. A work based mentality will get you no favors from God. You are acceptable in God’s sight apart from your works, not because of them.
So true. The only thing worth laboring for is to enter this marvelous rest taht we are discovering.
steve, I think for me the most significant thing is that I can now rest and the “veil” has only been removed for such a short time in my life. I look at all people different, I look at my family diferent, I look at myself TOTALLY different. I am slowly but surely beginning to see others how He sees them…..through His Son. I don’t want to use “my judgmental eyes” any longer. I much prefer using His. :–))
Yea me too and I am seeing that there is a little prejudice in me that has developed against clergy that I am hopeful of Him changing as He wills and does what He wished in me.
I used to think that maybe the change He produced in me toward gay folks was the last frontier in breaking down the walls I had built between myself and other human beings. But I am becoming aware that maybe the one between myself and the clergy is about ready to fall. I guess I am starting to be able to see them more through the same loving eyes as my Father and less through my old dis-illusioned eyes. Of course there are some, like my brother Cliff, who I admire and trust.
It is something I am wanting to see more clearly, through His eyes. I guess all of the disillusionment with the clergy and their churches, they did much to earn but that is no excuse. I wish to be like Him, as patient, loving, accepting and inclusionary as I view Him being. I’m not saying that I think I should ever place myself back under them…..just be as compassionate and loving to them as I am to those they reject. I think maybe I’ll post this comment on my blog.
Love you guys.
steve, Good comment. I appreciate your honesty for sure. I certainly have a long way to go too but what I find very comforting is that I know the Lord is at work in those areas in my life and I am far from “having arrived”. But the little changes I see happening in my life, without me trying to change anything, is just awesome and can be nothing but Him renewing my mind. I have no intention of placing myself back under anyone but I do see that they are brothers that just haven’t seen the light of this glorious Gospel of Grace and Peace yet. It is in them but it just has not come to the surface yet.
Love you too Steve!!
Roy you said, I think for me the most significant thing is that I can now rest and the “veil” has only been removed for such a short time in my life. I look at all people different, I look at my family diferent, I look at myself TOTALLY different.
This is what Isaiah the prophet for toid would happen when the veil was lifted of the peoples eyes,(Minds and hearts)
Isa 64v4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
This was fulfilled in christ,you and i and others are hearing now by the ear and seeing with the eye the word of life.
We used to hear what the law said,that we were all sinners and dead in sin.
But now that veil has been taken away in christ.2cor 3v13-14 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Yes as Paul said in 1cor2v7-127 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Yes roy the veil indeed has been taken away in christ and we can now bohold his works for the entire world.
And he has given all to us freely in christ.
When jesus was asked in john 6v28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?28 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
And he new none could belive,for as rom11v32 lets us knowFor God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
And what grace we can see when the veil has been lifted from of our hearts and minds,thankyou Jesus.
Your friend kenneth.
Ps,Hebrews 2v9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Yes roy, WE SEE JESUS.
Continue in his love,
kenneth.
Its a daily education in grace on this blog. As Paul said we can only boast in one thing and that ofcourse is the cross. I know that many here that post have come to an understanding of this message some time ago. For us that have recently come in its as if we’ve been born again again if you know what I mean. For that matter even my understanding of being born again has drastically changed. After 30 years of being in the circle of main stream church I thought I had pretty much seen it all, now this. Its like starting all over. As Kenneth reads through portions of scripture I am amazed at how this word all comes together to wonderfully proclaim this incredible gospel.You guys that give us feed back have no idea how good it is for us that are just beginning. I have never experienced such fellowship in all my days as a believer. I can’t really explain why that is but it just is.I must say this if I may to you Roy, aka-Rabbi, I just marvel at the way this gospel has affected you. You speak words of life my friend, I am blessed to have you so near and be able to see you on a regular basis. I don’t know where we are heading as we move forward in this gospel revelution. One thing I do know is there is no turning back now. We know to much and what is there to go back to anyway? I can relate so much to what Steve said as well regarding areas in our lives that still need to be delt with in regards to judement. I know how much I have had to back track on , there is still a way to go but I know He’ll get me there in His time.
Your brother in Christ, Randy
Randy cook, I fully agree with you that we are getting some excellent feedback from these guys that have embraced this Gospel of Grace for a much longer period of time than ourselves. Their insights into what I post daily has been such a great help to me and it further opens it up for me.
I agree Randy that this gospel has affected me much deeper than I ever imagined it would
and I guess what is good about it is that I know we have only begun in this Truth, there is so much more. Going back? That would be like having lived in prison and after being set free, wanting to go back behind bars. I am not sure where we are heading except deeper and deeper into what Christ has accomplished for us at the cross. With this there is simply no other direction to go. If you cannot go back then I guess forward is the only direction there is left. It has been quite a journey and we have just begun the drive.
I remember seeing bumper stickers that said “Jesus is My Co-pilot”. I can understand the meaning of that while I was in the organized church as I was “driving my own life” and not doing much of a job at it. Most of the time I was driving in what seemed to be the ditch. I was not on the road very often and when I was it was nothing but humps and bumps and nothing but a very shaky lifestyle. BUT NOW, if there was a bumper sticker that said “Jesus is My Pilot” I would be tempted to put one on my car. This Gospel of Grace and Peace has “Jesus as the Pilot” and driving in the ditch just doesn’t exist any longer. Are there humps and bumps? Of course there are but it matters not as I know Who is at the wheel. In this case, I am not even the co-pilot as I have just realized that I cannot drive anyway when it comes to steering my life in any direction.
So let us make sure we understand that with Jesus as my pilot there is no fear as He is an excellnet driver.
Blessings to you my friend. I am so very fortunate to have you as a friend!!
IIt is just wonderful to see you guys begin to groow in Gods grace .it is really as you would say ,awesome,.it is such good news my friends that it is good tidings of great joy when we behold our Savior.I have been where you are in your understanding of God grace in christ.randy and roy would you belive if i told you it gets better and better.As paul said ,we have been changed from glory to glory.The glory of the old covenant to the new in christ the promised seed.Gal tellls us we were all locked up.Ubtil the seed would come to whom the promise was made.When i loo kat this truth it fills my heart with joy.he is a wonderful savior.One who has redeemed all.
I have so much to share with you all.There is no bad news in the gppdnews.You have seen this and as you said ,my friend,there is no turning back.
i love you all and may your undestanding in christ grow more and more,
Your friend,
kenneth.
More and more , glory to glory, how much can one take in? I am only kidding ofcourse, I can’t wait to see where we are going Kenneth. I know to whom we are going, but at times it still blows my mind with all that has happened to this point. Saying that all I can say is bring it on, I’ll do whatever it takes to contain the joy in the truth of this gospel. Thanks again Kenneth, as always your words are very encouraging. Have a wonderful day my friend.
Your brother, Randy
Kenneth,
You are so spot on when you say it gets better and better!
It is as Heaven on Earth! And it IS! His Glory is being revealed and will fill the earth!
Peace
Geo
Romans 11:32-36 is very clear when it states that who has first given to God that God owes that person something. God is the First and He did everything first before man ever thought about it. God’s plan for the entire human race was conceived in Christ before the foundation of the world, and God carried that plan through to completion by Himself. What a mighty God we have as Redeemer, Savior, Justifier, Approver, Sanctifier, et al, to infinity.
Nice going,every one enjoys your work.
Such as the flames rose, Some Like It Hot, time to feel an upsurge of emotion