Bible Study Saved by Grace Through Faith, Not by Works #1

[Jim Parker]

Here's the first part:

Saved by Grace Through Faith, Not by Works​

Start by defining terms.
(I) Saved from what?
A. Saved from death.
1. The result of Adam’s sin is death for all mankind.
a. Sin separated Adam from God in Whom alone is Life.
b. Adam, by sin, became a creature who dies.
Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death
c. Adam passed that nature (being a creature who dies) on to all his descendants.
Romans 5:12 Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned

2. The result of Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection is immortality of all mankind.
Romans 6:23b the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1Cor 15:52-54 Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
a. By the incarnation of the Logos (the Word of God, the Son) God joined His divine
nature with the nature of created man; He united man with God.
b. In the crucifixion, Jesus died an unnatural death, not because of sin, as a human being.
c. By His resurrection, Jesus destroyed the power of death to hold mankind in the grave
where we would “return to dust.”
d. When all of mankind is resurrected immortal and incorruptible, they are able to be
eternally and intimately united with God, in Christ as the “body of Christ” and the
“bride of Christ.”

1Thes 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Eph 5:28-32 Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are membersof his body. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church;

Man’s greatest fear and greatest adversary is death, but Jesus has saved all of mankind from death. Everyone will be raised from the grave immortal and incorruptible (can’t get old, can’t get sick, can’t be damaged) and never to die again.

B. Saved from Hell?
1. All of mankind will be saved from physical death; all will be resurrected and immortal.
2. Some people will spend eternity with God in His kingdom and some will spend eternity
separated from God in hell, but, after the resurrection, nobody will ever again be subject
to physical death.

Mat 25:31-36, 40 (With God) When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; or I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”…..Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.

Mat 25:41-43, 45 (to hell) Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' ………. 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.

John 5:28-29 (NKJV)… the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Ro 6:2-10 (NKJV) (God) will render to each one according to his deeds; eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

(II) What is “Eternal Life”?
A. God alone has life by nature and it is eternal because God is eternal. (1Ti 6:16)
1. God gave that life to Adam when He breathed life into him. (Gen 2:7)
2. Man has the life which Adam has transmitted to his descendants. It is a temporary physical
life ending in death because of sin.
3. Physical, eternal life may be had only by being united to God and God accomplished that by
uniting Himself with His creature, man (John 1:14) thereby making all mankind immortal.
(1Cor 15:53-54; 2Ti 1:10)
4. Eternal life, then, is immortality combined with being in intimate union with God forever.
5. The “second death” is immortality combined with being separated from God forever.
(Rev 20:14; 21:9)

B. Eternal life, then, is the combination of having been saved from physical death (as has all
mankind) and being intimately and eternally united to God in Christ as the body of Christ and
the Bride of Christ.

2 Ti 1:8-10 Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

(III) How does one gain eternal life?
A. It is a gift from God. (Romans 6:23b)
B. It is given by Grace. (Eph 2:5, 8; Act 15:11)
C. It is given to those who believe in Jesus. (John 3:16)
D. It is given to those who do the good works for which they were created.
(Eph 2:10, John 5:28-29; Ro 6:2-10; Mat 25:31-46)
E. It cannot be earned by doing good works but it will not be given to anyone who does not do
good works. (John 5:28-29; Ro 6:2-10; Mat 25:31-46)

1. An analogy: No one “earns” life by breathing, but, if you do not breathe, you will not have
life.
2. Being a Christian necessarily includes the fact that Jesus is your Lord, your King, and
your master. It is a Christian’s duty to obey his Lord. Those who obey are rewarded and
those who do not obey are cast into “the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash
their teeth.” (Mat 24:45-51; 25:14-30)
3. One cannot earn eternal life by doing good works. But neither will anyone be given
eternal life who does not do the good works what he was created in Christ to do and
which God prepared beforehand that he should walk in them, but does evil instead.
(Eph 2:10; Jas 4:17; 1Cor 6:9-10)

 

[Chopper]

Thank you Jim for this very good and very Scriptural portrayal of steps to Salvation. I especially liked your emphasis on "works". I've know of folk who had "works" right after being saved, BUT, it wasn't long before their "works" disappeared and the world took over....Then there were a great number of folk who after being born again, that "works" followed for as long as I knew them, and some of them, I hear are still faithful.

 

[Jim Parker]

Thank you Jim for this very good and very Scriptural portrayal of steps to Salvation. I especially liked your emphasis on "works". I've know of folk who had "works" right after being saved, BUT, it wasn't long before their "works" disappeared and the world took over....Then there were a great number of folk who after being born again, that "works" followed for as long as I knew them, and some of them, I hear are still faithful.

Thanks.
It is true that we cannot earn salvation by doing good works. Unfortunately, far too many people have been taught that good works are, not only unnecessary, but "legalism" and a denial of the sufficiency of Jesus' finished work. In order to teach that, one has to deny the very words of Jesus and teach others to also deny His words. I shudder for such teachers.

jim

 

[smaller]

Thanks.
It is true that we cannot earn salvation by doing good works. Unfortunately, far too many people have been taught that good works are, not only unnecessary, but "legalism" and a denial of the sufficiency of Jesus' finished work. In order to teach that, one has to deny the very words of Jesus and teach others to also deny His words. I shudder for such teachers.

jim

Seems a bit circular. If it is true that we cannot earn salvation by doing good works i.e. works are not necessary, then it is illogical to claim they are necessary. If works are necessary then it is salvation by works and yes, that can easily be construed as legalism.

We'd be hard pressed to find any christian who has not done good works (plural) or even a good work. Jesus showed us this about a very minor and seemingly insignificant singular work.

Matthew 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

The inability of the giver to "lose" this reward indicates the eternal nature of said reward.

 

[JLB]

Thanks.
It is true that we cannot earn salvation by doing good works. Unfortunately, far too many people have been taught that good works are, not only unnecessary, but "legalism" and a denial of the sufficiency of Jesus' finished work. In order to teach that, one has to deny the very words of Jesus and teach others to also deny His words. I shudder for such teachers.

jim

Could we discuss the "work" of obedience in faith, and how the "work" or "action" or "effort" of obedience constitutes the activation of faith being living, or active.

Also can we discuss how faith comes to us, and what our part in the faith that comes to us from God?

I'm asking you, because you started this thread.


Thanks JLB

 

[JLB]

1. The result of Adam’s sin is death for all mankind.

Do you mean eternal death, or physical death of the body.

I ask, because there are many don't believe that death in Romans 6:23 refers to eternal death.


JLB

 

[JLB]

2. The result of Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection is immortality of all mankind.

I think I know what you mean, however, just for the sake of clarification, can we agree that:

The result of Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection is immortality for all who believe.


JLB

 

[JLB]

1. All of mankind will be saved from physical death; all will be resurrected and immortal.

For clarification: All believers in Jesus Christ will be saved from physical death; and will be resurrected and immortal.

Is this what you mean, or do you mean "all mankind" whether they are believer's or not?



JLB

 

[Chopper]

This conversation is interesting to me, that someone would actually think that works are necessary for Salvation to occur. "Faith without works is dead". therefore works are the result of Salvation. Personally, a biblical born again experience automatically produces good works. Anyone who refuses "works" is not saved, simple as that!!

Now, the question of works can be confusing because legalism will inject the letter of the Law into the system of works. I know because I used to fellowship with men who were terribly legalistic, and it rubbed off. It wasn't until God Himself had to enter my heart supernaturally and change my heart, which He did in 1990. There is a strange truth in the fact that we tend to be who we have close fellowship with.

Just my thoughts.

 

[smaller]

This conversation is interesting to me, that someone would actually think that works are necessary for Salvation to occur. "Faith without works is dead". therefore works are the result of Salvation. Personally, a biblical born again experience automatically produces good works. Anyone who refuses "works" is not saved, simple as that!!

Now, the question of works can be confusing because legalism will inject the letter of the Law into the system of works. I know because I used to fellowship with men who were terribly legalistic, and it rubbed off. It wasn't until God Himself had to enter my heart supernaturally and change my heart, which He did in 1990. There is a strange truth in the fact that we tend to be who we have close fellowship with.

Just my thoughts.

Any works necessity based sights are never satisfied with the seemingly insignificant standard of a single cup of cold water work being sufficient to obtain a reward that can not be lost. This is never satisfactory to any work based camps that I'm aware of. It doesn't take long from there, if one buys into that story, that works have to be present, continual and progressive in order to "make it into heaven" to become burdened down in the constant press to keep obtaining salvation via works, or conversely worse, to not obtain by not continually doing works, which is the burden the position brings. Such are burdened by the fear of loss for their own hide, which is the motivator. If someone was dangling anyone over the potential of eternal torture they can extract just about anything from them and extort them by doing so. That is NOT a Heavenly work in my mind, but forced coercion under duress of imminent personal threat.

It is in this sense a fleshly understanding, the survival of the fittest, the same principle under which the flesh operates.

The works gospel, little g, also promotes incessant judging among people who think on this basis they are saved and others, not, and constant spiritual muscle flexing to prove they are saved, at least for that moment of braggadocio.

What really happens to such people is that they end up taking eternal damnation of others into their hearts, thinking that they know what is sufficient works or not for someone else, and false self justifications, which is the essence of hypocrisy. Or they end up in a constant state of DOUBT over their fate, which unfortunately many churches USE to burden their flocks to keep them coming back for more. Or the doubt eventually gets to them and they see the farce of the entire scheme of works based salvation and they leave the faith altogether in frustrations, often seeing the hypocrisy, vanity and futility of it all, and go back to the world where the same principles operate with standards that do not include their eternal damnation.

 

[JLB]

There is a strange truth in the fact that we tend to be who we have close fellowship with.

This is so true.

This is why the Lord, when He became flesh, poured His life into His disciples, that His life would be reproduced in them.

Then they would in turn, reproduce His Life in others.

To me, this is fulfilling the original command that was given to Adam and Eve, be fruitful and multiply... reproduce the image of God.

It was the "issue" or "flow' of His life, coming from His heart and flowing into His disciples, yielding the fruit of His life within them.

His disciples were His "fruit". The fruit of who He is, being reproduced in them.

It was evident by others that His disciples had been with Jesus.




JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

Could we discuss the "work" of obedience in faith, and how the "work" or "action" or "effort" of obedience constitutes the activation of faith being living, or active.

Also can we discuss how faith comes to us, and what our part in the faith that comes to us from God?

I'm asking you, because you started this thread.

Thanks JLB

My next section will be on Faith.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Jim

 

[JLB]

My next section will be on Faith.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Jim

Ok.

I thought this section was about being saved, not by works, but rather, faith.

IOW, faith as opposed to being saved by works.

Also, a discussion of the different classifications of works, would be good to clarify this much needed study, such as, but not limited to:

Works of the law of Moses.
Works that earn a wage, that is due.
The work of obedience, that qualifies, as opposed to the lack of obedience that disqualifies.



JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

Do you mean eternal death, or physical death of the body.

I ask, because there are many don't believe that death in Romans 6:23 refers to eternal death.

JLB

The immediate effect of sin is to begin the process of physical death.
A secondary effect is, realizing that death is not optional, man then attempts to work to delay that inevitability as far into the future as possible. He does this by striving to insure that he has plenty of everything necessary to sustain life.

That striving subtly refocuses man's trust from God to himself, God said He knows what we need and He will provide everything if we will trust him. (Mat 6:25-34), In his anxiety about death and not having "enough", man quits trusting God and starts to rely on his own intellect and abilities. In effect, man places himself in the place of God to provide the necessities for life. That was the temptation of the serpent; "you will be like God." (Gen 3:5) It is the basis of all sin.

By rejecting God as his benefactor, man plunges into greed, avarice, envy, anger at not getting everything he wants, and every other sin of the flesh. How can he know how much is enough? How much food do I need in my barns to survive a famine? How much money do I need in my IRA/401k to survive a depression? And why should I help anyone else? Let them get their own!

That wilful separation from God, which works out as a life of sin, results in eternal death.
Only God has life. (John 5:26) Separation from God is separation from life. That teaching is illustrated in Jesus' words at John 15:6.

So the wages of sin is both physical and eternal death.

Anyway, that's how I see it.

jim

 

[Jim Parker]

For clarification: All believers in Jesus Christ will be saved from physical death; and will be resurrected and immortal.

Is this what you mean, or do you mean "all mankind" whether they are believer's or not?

JLB

All of mankind will be resurrected.
John 5:28-29 (NKJV)… the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

All of mankind will be resurrected immortal and incorruptible. (1Cor 15:52-54) Some will inherit the kingdom (Mat 25:34) and some will go to hell. (Mat 25:41)

If they are not immortal and incorruptible then those who are condemned would be quickly incinerated in the lake of burning sulfur leaving only the soul which is immaterial and not subject to physical discomfort.

The scriptures make no distinction between the bodies of the resurrected righteous and of the resurrected unrighteous.

jim

 

[Jim Parker]

Ok.

I thought this section was about being saved, not by works, but rather, faith.

I wanted to start by clarifying exactly what is meant by the words, "Save" and "Salvation." They seem to me to be uses rather carelessly in general conversations. Unless we agree on exactly what we mean by a word, we cannot successfully communicate.
As an example, the Mormons use the word "Trinity" but mean something entirely different from the meaning which the Church means.

IOW, faith as opposed to being saved by works.

As I see it, scripture tells us that faith alone, without works (good works) will not save and neither will good works without faith will not save.

That's what I'll address in the next piece.

Also, a discussion of the different classifications of works, would be good to clarify this much needed study, such as, but not limited to:
Works of the law of Moses.
Works that earn a wage, that is due.
The work of obedience, that qualifies, as opposed to the lack of obedience that disqualifies.

I have noticed that many people confuse "works of the Law" and "good works."
If someone teaches that one must keep the Law of Moses to be saved, he is teaching "legalism." (Keeping the Legal requirements of the Law of Moses.) No one will be saved by works of the Law. (Gal 2:16; 3:10)
However, if someone teaches that we will be judged by our works, he is teaching what Jesus taught. ( Mat 25:31-46; John 5:28-29 and 12:47-50)


jim

 

[JLB]

All of mankind will be resurrected.
John 5:28-29 (NKJV)… the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

All of mankind will be resurrected immortal and incorruptible. (1Cor 15:52-54) Some will inherit the kingdom (Mat 25:34) and some will go to hell. (Mat 25:41)

25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. John 5:25-29

Those who are Christ's will be resurrected as stated in Matthew 25:31-46

Those in this resurrection, will be separated one from another, as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

Both of the sheep and goats represent His servants.

Those who are faithful and obedient, as opposed to those who became unfaithful, and disobedient.

This is the context of Matthew 25:31-46, as it begins in Matthew 24:44.

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:44-451

...and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:31-46, describes the resurrection of those who are Christ's, that is to say His servants, of whom... those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.


The rest of the dead, the unbeliever's, those who never believed or were in Covenant with the Lord, will be raised after the thousand years are over.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Revelation 20:4-5




JLB

 

[JLB]

I wanted to start by clarifying exactly what is meant by the words, "Save" and "Salvation." They seem to me to be uses rather carelessly in general conversations. Unless we agree on exactly what we mean by a word, we cannot successfully communicate.
As an example, the Mormons use the word "Trinity" but mean something entirely different from the meaning which the Church means.

Amen.

As I see it, scripture tells us that faith alone, without works (good works) will not save and neither will good works without faith will not save.

That's what I'll address in the next piece.

Ok. Should be a good discussion.

I have noticed that many people confuse "works of the Law" and "good works."
If someone teaches that one must keep the Law of Moses to be saved, he is teaching "legalism." (Keeping the Legal requirements of the Law of Moses.) No one will be saved by works of the Law. (Gal 2:16; 3:10)
However, if someone teaches that we will be judged by our works, he is teaching what Jesus taught. ( Mat 25:31-46; John 5:28-29 and 12:47-50)

Ok.



JLB

 

[JLB]

The immediate effect of sin is to begin the process of physical death.
A secondary effect is, realizing that death is not optional, man then attempts to work to delay that inevitability as far into the future as possible. He does this by striving to insure that he has plenty of everything necessary to sustain life.

That striving subtly refocuses man's trust from God to himself, God said He knows what we need and He will provide everything if we will trust him. (Mat 6:25-34), In his anxiety about death and not having "enough", man quits trusting God and starts to rely on his own intellect and abilities. In effect, man places himself in the place of God to provide the necessities for life. That was the temptation of the serpent; "you will be like God." (Gen 3:5) It is the basis of all sin.

By rejecting God as his benefactor, man plunges into greed, avarice, envy, anger at not getting everything he wants, and every other sin of the flesh. How can he know how much is enough? How much food do I need in my barns to survive a famine? How much money do I need in my IRA/401k to survive a depression? And why should I help anyone else? Let them get their own!

That wilful separation from God, which works out as a life of sin, results in eternal death.
Only God has life. (John 5:26) Separation from God is separation from life. That teaching is illustrated in Jesus' words at John 15:6.

So the wages of sin is both physical and eternal death.

Anyway, that's how I see it.

jim

So do you believe Paul was referring to eternal death, when he used the word's "die" and "death" in Romans 6 & 8?

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:15-23

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13



JLB

 

[jocor]

I have noticed that many people confuse "works of the Law" and "good works."
If someone teaches that one must keep the Law of Moses to be saved, he is teaching "legalism." (Keeping the Legal requirements of the Law of Moses.) No one will be saved by works of the Law. (Gal 2:16; 3:10)
However, if someone teaches that we will be judged by our works, he is teaching what Jesus taught. ( Mat 25:31-46; John 5:28-29 and 12:47-50)

jim

The works that we are judged by include obedience to the Law/Torah, ie; we will be judged by our transgressions against the Ten Commandments; whether or not we moved our neighbors boundary marker; whether or not we had unlawful sexual relations, etc.