7/23/26

Many people get so confused by works and faith.

Are works important in following Christ? Absolutely! Ephesians 2:10 NASB1995 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Are works important for salvation? Absolutely not! Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB1995 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

In our text today, Paul speaking to the church at Galatia says: Galatians 3:6-7 NASB95 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

There were Jews who had been circumcized when they were 8 days old but did not follow the Mosaic law or God. According to many, these were in better standing than those who had not been circumcized but followed the rest of the law. Neither of these are truly in good standing because they have not accomplished righteousness.

Paul argues that it is faith, not works, that saves. Works are to be produced out of God's desire inside those who have faith.

He points back to Abraham who believed (faith) while uncircumcised and was saved in righteousness. If we go back to the spot where this happened, we will find it in Genesis 15:6 NASB95: Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Abraham was not circumcized until Genesis 17; this was 14 years later. Yet his faith had been reckoned or imputed to him as righteousness.

Abraham had a standing in righteousness because of his faith. However, because of his faith, God's desire began to become his own, and he followed God's laws in obedience and love.

Abraham and our works do nothing in providing salvation. That is only faith. Then, living in faith, good works are our desire because they are the purpose of our new creation in Christ Jesus.

As the half-brother of Jesus says in James 2:18 NASB95 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

It is the works that reveal our faith, and it is our faith that is shown as perfect because of our works.

They go together, but only faith is the roadway upon which God delivers the grace of salvation. Only good works reveal our faith in Christ to the world.

Faith provides the path to Salvation.

Salvation provides the Spirit's power to do the good works for which God has made us a new creation in Christ.

Both are important individually. Both are offered individually through Christ. Only both together in Christ fulfill the will of the Father.

Love Bro. Scott