Constitutionalist-Tom
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- Jul 23, 2011
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It looks like there are quite a few protestant religious folks on here, so I thought I would share this article I wrote up a few weeks ago... I figured this would get some debate going.
The Synonymous Attributes of Faith and Obedience
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
We so often find ourselves very close, if not altogether walking in a dead system of methodical legalistic works. Not Christ walking through us in this world, but us attempting to walk Christ while living as friends with the world, which will never work. We find ourselves walking in motions, and after emotions, not truly being led of Gods spirit. We show on the outside a clear picture of obedience to Christ, but on the inside we are filled with self and pride, instead of the faith of Christ.
The Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s attempted to be justified by the works of the law, no man was ever justified by following the ritualistic sacrifices ordained by the law, it was their faith in Christ coming sacrifice in addition to obedience to laws set forth by God.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Under the old covenant, which to often is referred to as salvation by works, was much the same as it is today. The Bible never says anyone was ever saved by works, but faith in Christ, whether under the old covenant, looking forward to Christ atonement by means of the sacrificial lamb, or under the new covenant by looking back to Christ complete perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:1-4 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
The sacrifices and laws set forth under the old covenant were of great importance, as is our obeidiance to Christ under the new. But there has to be a balance, merely faith in Christ will profit no man anything, neither will merely obedience apart from faith.
Romans 3:19-28 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
We see no man was, nor ever will be justified by works, yet at the same time it requires works to maintain the salvation wich Christ has given us.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.
James makes it clear that faith is shown by our works.
James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
There is a fine balance here, that if ever tipped in one direction or the other will result in a lukewarm condition.
Faith and obedience are synonymous, they cannot be separated, if ever they are, the one that remains will wither and die, and we will be left in a condition of lukewarmness, in which God will spew us out of his mouth.
Revelation 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
When we get to this condition apathy sets in and a blindness and deception takes over so that we no longer see our condition, and position of waywardness. The most severe problem with deception is, when an individual is deceived they are not aware of it.
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
It is Gods will and desire for us to come back to him if ever we reach this condition. But it takes us surrendering and submitting ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and allowing him to anoint our eyes with eyesalve that we may see the depth and utter depravity of our condition of deception.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The Synonymous Attributes of Faith and Obedience
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
We so often find ourselves very close, if not altogether walking in a dead system of methodical legalistic works. Not Christ walking through us in this world, but us attempting to walk Christ while living as friends with the world, which will never work. We find ourselves walking in motions, and after emotions, not truly being led of Gods spirit. We show on the outside a clear picture of obedience to Christ, but on the inside we are filled with self and pride, instead of the faith of Christ.
The Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s attempted to be justified by the works of the law, no man was ever justified by following the ritualistic sacrifices ordained by the law, it was their faith in Christ coming sacrifice in addition to obedience to laws set forth by God.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Under the old covenant, which to often is referred to as salvation by works, was much the same as it is today. The Bible never says anyone was ever saved by works, but faith in Christ, whether under the old covenant, looking forward to Christ atonement by means of the sacrificial lamb, or under the new covenant by looking back to Christ complete perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:1-4 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
The sacrifices and laws set forth under the old covenant were of great importance, as is our obeidiance to Christ under the new. But there has to be a balance, merely faith in Christ will profit no man anything, neither will merely obedience apart from faith.
Romans 3:19-28 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
We see no man was, nor ever will be justified by works, yet at the same time it requires works to maintain the salvation wich Christ has given us.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.
James makes it clear that faith is shown by our works.
James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
There is a fine balance here, that if ever tipped in one direction or the other will result in a lukewarm condition.
Faith and obedience are synonymous, they cannot be separated, if ever they are, the one that remains will wither and die, and we will be left in a condition of lukewarmness, in which God will spew us out of his mouth.
Revelation 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
When we get to this condition apathy sets in and a blindness and deception takes over so that we no longer see our condition, and position of waywardness. The most severe problem with deception is, when an individual is deceived they are not aware of it.
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
It is Gods will and desire for us to come back to him if ever we reach this condition. But it takes us surrendering and submitting ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and allowing him to anoint our eyes with eyesalve that we may see the depth and utter depravity of our condition of deception.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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