Living in Grace 3 | The Works Seal

Firstly: Just because you’re saved, doesn’t mean you’re living in grace.

Romans 5:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Secondly: If you believe you are righteous because of Jesus, then you are righteous.

Romans 3:22 NKJV

22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

If you are not righteous, you are separated from God. That doesn’t mean you’re not saved, it means you’re living your life without God’s presence.

This creates a system that perfectly shows us the enemy’s strategy.

James 2:18–26 NKJV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Part of Satan’s plan for you involves works.

Works are things produced by our own effort. These could be Thoughts, actions, or words.

Faith is not a work because it lies at the root of all works we do.

No work is ever produced that doesn't have a faith component to it. Ever.

This passage from James creates a 2-way relationship with works.

Firstly, we’ll talk about this more in a future class, but If you have a works problem, fix your faith. The works follow.

Secondly,

works seal of your faith or, make it “perfect.”

You absolutely need to understand: you can talk, act, and think yourself out of your faith about something!

if you believe you're righteous because of Jesus, your words, actions, and thoughts will line up with that.

faith is specific, not generic. Notice James gives specific faith examples, and the kinds of works that would follow that specific belief.

Faith is at the root. Before even your thoughts.

Faith is the substance used to build your thoughts, words, and actions from.

I know what your faith is because your thoughts, words, and actions are made out of it.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Tips for keeping that faith alive:

A declaration section in your prayer time

Praising and thanking are far more powerful than stating facts.

Your tools are: confessing, declaring, thanking, and praising.

Listing out your sins is similar to confessing you are not righteous. It is not of God that we focus on them. Instead, confess that you are clean and righteous because of Jesus, even though you’ve had missteps.

You say:

"Words don't have a spiritual impact!"

Romans 10:8–10 NKJV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

if it's in your heart but not in your mouth, it's dead.

the words, actions, and thoughts are not what God cares about, wants, or acts on. It is our faith He wats and our faith is "made perfect" through our works.

If you believe you still owe God something, what are some things you will do/say?

what will your attitude/outlook be?

If you believe you are fully righteous because of Jesus, what will your attitude look like?

what are somethings you would do/say?

If you believe you’re righteous because of your works, what are some things you will do/say?

what ill your attitude be?

Next week: Repentance

Thank you that I’m righteous because of you. You are enough. No matter who comes or goes in my life, i’m happy because I have you. Thank you that you chose me. Thank you that you pursued me when you didn’t have to. You accept me. I’m worthy today. I’m accepted today. I’m deserving today.

Next Steps: write a declaration of what you believe about yourself. This will be a daily statement you can refine over time, but you have to confess it and believe it every day! Think of this as part of putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17)

include things you know the enemy brings up

include things from some of your favorite faith-building scriptures

include specifics of why what you’re saying is true, and why it’s important