Even many who are stuck in certain degrees of legalism might agree with our recent discussions about salvation being offered as a gift by grace through faith. But they can't resist the temptation to somehow make works a part of the equation. One way of doing this is to suggest salvation is free and instantaneous (then listen for the "but"), BUT sanctification is a gradual process that we participate in - meaning our behavior and works. Before you know it, well-meaning believers are taking credit for their "sanctification" and thereby are receiving more blessings as they boast about themselves.
It may sound correct to the religious mindset, but let's take a look at how God has already gifted us with sanctification through Jesus Christ, just as He did for salvation. We'll land in a place where our boasting is in Jesus and what He provided for us that we could not do for ourselves.
Deep down within the hearts of people, ultimately everyone desires to know they are in a good place with their creator and are considered acceptable and right with Him. Most will pursue a religious path that attempts to do certain things—or avoid doing certain things—that will bring them to this place. Sometimes even those claiming to believe in Jesus begin to establish a mindset by hoping their good deeds will outweigh their bad and that it will be "good enough." The problem? They will never know if they have attained or succeeded in establishing right standing with God.
Changes in behavior can be beneficial for us and those around us. But this is nothing more than quicksand when it comes to our eternity and righteousness. The same is true for ceremonial traditions found within many different church brands. So how can one know they are in a place of righteousness before God or in right standing with God? It's our discussion on this week's podcast.
A Bible verse frequently quoted is found in Matthew 7:16 and also in 7:20 .... "You will know them by their fruits." This is usually referenced by people with the assumption that you will know how to identify other true believers—by what they do and through their behavior. But the context shows us Jesus is explaining how to recognize false prophets. They will do many works outwardly to be seen by others—sometimes miraculous things—but it all revolves around their fruits. In other words, the fruits are mentioned in the plural, meaning their works. It's a sandy foundation, not one built upon a solid rock of trusting in Christ for righteousness. As branches who are plugged into the vine, we have become identified as good trees capable of bearing the "fruit" (singular) that the Holy Spirit will eagerly produce through us apart from a religious system of law and works. But it's not our "fruits" ... it's all about His fruit that we bear.
We like to tell people salvation is free, but then somewhere along the way—maybe right away—we feel the need to begin rolling out the rules to help make sure the new converts don't wander from what we believe to be the truth. This approach may actually hinder believers in Christ from experiencing the fullness of God in their lives.
It becomes a gospel of "doing" in order to become something that children of God think they need to work at in order to reach a higher level of spirituality or to make themselves more acceptable to God. Not to mention, the "rules" vary significantly from one corner church to the next. Maybe we should begin to trust Christ (who abides in us) to complete the work He began in each of us by His grace.
When sharing the good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ, Christians will often have the end game of bringing their prospective disciple into a school of lifestyle and behavioral changes. The person on the receiving end begins to interpret the gospel as one of needing to change what they do in order to identify as a saved believer in Christ. Do the "right" things, and they'll receive God's blessings and approval. Do the "wrong" things, and they risk the opposite.
Our discussion this week is meant to be an exhortation for us who abide in grace to stay focused on the true message of God's love and the gift of salvation apart from works. When we can do this, it will be much more beneficial for hearers of the good news to recognize their need for a Savior ... believing freely in what Jesus provided for them, without fearing that they need to change who they are to become like other religious robots who think their right-standing with God is based upon behavior. Good changes in their life can happen without us needing to give them a religious code of conduct that they should be expected to follow in order to stay in God's grace.
Following up from last week's program defining the gospel as a revelation of God's righteousness gifted to us ... another important foundational truth contained within the message of the gospel is how believers in Christ have passed from death to life. This is the good news at its core.
God has freely imparted His life to us which we have inherited as children. This brings peace, knowing it's not by works that we have done.
When it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus, many have followed a "formula" that features a pattern of sharing bad news first. This is usually based on a form of legalism ... telling each individual they have broken God's law. However, it was a law they were never under, and it came to an end over 2,000 years ago.
There is a better option of pointing people to the One who gives eternal life other than using an obsolete law of works. By pointing out that people need to be saved because of bad works, then they often assume a mindset that works are needed to maintain their approved position with God by having good works that will outweigh their bad. The better choice is to communicate the love of God as demonstrated through what Jesus did on behalf of everyone ... which brought a New Covenant based upon believing—and not good and bad works.
We’re all familiar with the phrase “nobody’s perfect.” But is this a true statement? If one is referring to the actions, works, and behavior of people, then this is to be considered true. But if the reference is about attaining perfection apart from works and behavior, then we can point to a perfection that was inherited or gifted which came through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A law of works was incapable of making people perfect.
The Jews may have thought they were “a work in progress” as they pursued right standing with God through their actions and attempted obedience to the Mosaic law of 613 commandments. But that law was useless in making them perfect … and perfection was the requirement. Works and repeated blood sacrifices could not make people perfect. We can’t earn our way towards God’s approval … regardless of whatever religious denominational tenets we want to use as a guide.
If the goal is to be holy, how does this occur? Is it attained by what we do? Works? Conduct? Would one even need be considered saved and a believer in Christ to accomplish an acceptable level of good behavior that could be considered holy … at least in the eyes of the religious community? And if it requires all of our conduct to be perfect, righteous and holy, who decides what is and isn’t defined as sufficient?
You can probably already see how muddy the waters can get when it comes to a works-based attempt at gaining favor with God. There is no assurance in any of it. This week, we look at some words from the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter regarding the gift of God’s righteousness and holiness through an inheritance.
Sometimes when people discuss faith, if you listen carefully, you’ll begin to hear them vocalize something that is more based upon their works, lifestyle choices, and what they perceive to be an improvement in moral character. If we’re not careful, it can become about us and what we do or don’t do, instead of placing a complete trust and faith in what God has done for us through His Son. Depending upon our abilities to attain right-standing with God—instead of choosing to believe in God’s ability—is not based upon faith.
When the Jewish people were pursuing righteousness through a law of works, it was not a righteousness of faith, but it was based on their inconsistent works, which did not bring peace with God. For those who were described as having lived by faith or done great things because of faith, it had nothing to do with the law or their own works. Do we need those old rules and commandments to lead, teach and guide us as believers in Christ? No, we have Someone who lives in us who will fill that role much better.
