Friends With God

Introduction

300 Quotations for Preachers (Justified by Faith, Not Works)

It is not from works that we are set free by the faith of Christ, but from the belief in works, that is from foolishly presuming to seek justification through works. Faith redeems our consciences, makes them upright, and preserves them, since by it we recognize the truth that justification does not depend on our works, although good works neither can nor ought to be absent, just as we cannot exist without food and drink and all the functions of this mortal body.

These are the words of Martin Luther. These are the very popular ideas that set the Protestant world on fire, severing it from the Roman Catholic Church who developed a reputation of being a “works-based church” who removed the biblical element of faith towards salvation.

A point of clarification should be raised here. Martin Luther is clearly saying that works have nothing at all to do with the justification process. Rather, it is simply faith that justifies. We must clarify this notion, and understand the impact that his doctrine has had on the church concerning soteriology and life in Christ.

Martin Luther was a specialist who struggled with his faith and while figuring it out, he lumped everyone into the emotional challenges he faced with personal piety. The entire church responded with a resounding yes in agreement with Luther’s cry against the Roman Catholic Church, and they concluded that his struggle was their struggle as well.

However, it seems that Martin disagrees with James, the writer of the epistle which was inspired by the Holy Spirit. And if true, it is not James whom Martin Luther disagrees with. Rather, it is the Holy Spirit whom he disagrees with as he demanded that the epistle be removed from the Christian canon.

What we just read in James 2:23-24 creates an incredible problem for the Protestant Church. James 2:24 says explicitly, that Abraham was justified by works and not faith only. There are a few things we should consider about James’ text:

Premise 1: James ties his understanding of works to Abraham and not Moses.

Premise 2: James’ connection to Abraham identifies the absence of an institutional law and the presence of a personal law.

Personal law is a law that is not written on tablets, but written on one’s heart. Paul recognized such a law in Romans 2:14-15.

Romans 2:14–15 CSB

14 So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law, do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them

Conclusion: James claimed Abraham’s faith and obedience to a personal law justified him. Paul claimed Abraham’s faith aside from the law of Moses justified him.

This is all so important, because our misunderstanding of Paul’s words have led us to believe that God accepts our faith without our obedience and responsibility. That is, we can just believe our way to heaven, we can believe our way into a new house, we can believe our way into a new car, and no matter how irresponsible or disobedient we may be, as long as believe—we get everything we want. This belief is not only going to prevent us from experiencing the life that God has promised us, but it will be the belief that keeps many out of heaven, because it is not real faith when a person lives this way.

James 2:24 Explanation

James 2:18, 20, 26 all speak of the importance of works with faith. Where did James get this idea? It is important that we answer this question, because many such as Martin Luther have claimed that the epistle of James should be torn out of the Bible. However, I say that if one were to remove James from the Bible they may as well remove the entire book of Genesis. For, James’s doctrine is not his mere thoughts. Rather, it is the interpretation of that which was written long ago regarding the father and patriarch of the Jewish people.

God said, Abraham’s promises are not merely based on James’s faith as most Protestants have believed. Rather, it is based on the sort of faith that produces results or actions or “works.” Even Paul accepts this idea (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Timothy 5:10). Yet, so many have ignored these things to their disadvantage.

When we ignore the point that James and Paul share concerning the importance of works or good works, we are missing their explanation for how the covenant was formed with Abraham in the first place. Yes, it was based upon Abraham’s faith. Yet, Abraham’s faith was so strong and solid that it caused him to “listen to God.” Abraham’s faith and obedience formed a relationship with God that was unlike any other seen in Scripture.

God was proud to be Abraham’s friend, and we see in Abraham’s friendship with God, what it means to have God as your friend. When God is your friend, He makes you a promise that He refuses to break. When God is your friend, He does not consider all the mistakes you’ve made that may otherwise imply your lack of faithfulness. Rather, He considers that one faithful thing that you did that solidified your faithfulness to Him and He shows up even when His faithfulness is not reciprocated. God does not consider the baggage that is attached to you. He is faithful, because in that one moment that was allotted to prove your faithfulness you showed that your heart was where it needed to be. This is what Genesis 26:5 is demonstrating!

Faith is keeping all the commandments, decrees, and requirements before there’s a public or institutional requirement of such obedience. It is doing what is right, because there’s an appreciation that values the person over the legalistic/ institutional responsibility. Therefore, legalism is not obeying a law. Legalism is obeying a law that must be obeyed through an established institution that removes the personal relationship from one’s expressions towards another. It is the obedience out of obligation and not love, appreciation, and trust. It is actions taken out of fear of losing one’s perfect compliance with a system rather than one’s fear of losing God.

It’s like getting married and only honoring and being faithful because you are afraid of what might be loss outside of the one you are faithful towards. It’s like saying you are only married, because you don’t want to lose your money, house, or car. This is not how things work! The most honorable reason to be faithful is because one fears losing the one they love, not the things that are associated with the arrangement of being married.

And so, now, we see the problem of the nation of Israel. They fell in love with institution of marriage that yoked them to God, but they forgot to fall in love with Him. Although they kept the law, they lost God! Because they kept it without wanting Him!

Abraham was different. Abraham wanted God so badly that he required no law to obey Him. He obeyed God before the law was published, declared, or accepted as a institutional norm for a group of people, and when God saw this, He entered into a friendship with Abraham.

The word friend means there was affection and a personal regard between God and Abraham. Brothers and sisters, God does not consider anyone who won’t obey Him a friend! We can believe all we want, but we are not friends with God until we believe and obey!

Instinctive Obedience

One may be thinking I have forsaken the Protestant view. (I am not sure I have or haven’t.) However, I am completely committed and obligated to Scripture. What we see here is the collaboration of faith and works that justifies. However, we should understand how faith works, before we begin casting down or accepting anything I have said. For, I believe my response to the text is uniquely different from anything the Roman Catholic or Protestant Church would conclude.

First, faith occurs. Second, that faith brings about some instinctive response to the law that is written on our hearts. That is, it is neither all faith and no works or all works (as one would accomplish on their own) and no faith. Rather, it is the work of faith that creates an instinct to do what is right and honorable before God. The reason this is the case is because when one has faith, their origin changes. This is what Jesus was speaking to in John 3:7.

John 3:7 CSB

Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.

Faith takes us out of the flesh and into the spirit. By this, our origins change.