The Two Sides of Works
Notes
Transcript
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Intro
Intro
We strive to become sinless. To become blameless before the Lord. Why?
Last week I shared about how to correctly fight sin in your life..
But why?
Why do we strive to fight off sin?
Are you afraid that if you don’t, you will not receive that eternal prize of salvation?
Story of Galatians
Story of Galatians
Community of Greek believers.
Certain Jews came along after Paul and taught that you must be circumcised to be saved.
Contemplating deserting the teachings of Paul and following the wrong teachings of Judaizers.
Message of salvation by grace vs salvation by works.
Why would they do this?
We can read about the Galatians and shake our head, but we are actually not any better.
As much as our will and our part is required, do we go and try to “earn” His acceptance by trying to conquer sin ourselves?
Yes, we have to do our part, but do you realize that it is
First by faith in Him
THEN from within that faith, we do the work.
If you receive circumcision, if you work, Christ is of no benefit to you
If you receive circumcision, if you work, Christ is of no benefit to you
Paul goes on in Galatians 5:2
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
The moment you decide to carry the yoke of sin yourself, the blood of Christ is no longer in effect. Galatians 5:4.
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
But here is the very important detail.
The focal point is not in the keeping of circumcision, aka keeping the law.
What’s important is your heart in keeping the law.
Why do you keep the law? Why do you strive to be sinless?
In this subject, we must truly search our hearts.
Do you strive to be sinless to be saved? Or do you strive to be sinless because of love?
If you fight against sin to be saved...
If you fight against sin to be saved...
Just as I mentioned before, it’s not in the act of keeping the law, circumcised or uncircumcised, but it is in the heart.
Did you know that Paul had Timothy circumcised before he sent Timothy off to Corinth?
Only because it would be easier for Timothy to earn the respect of some traditional Jews in Corinth.
Again, in Galatians 5:3 Paul taught us that if you are fighting against sin SO THAT YOU BE SAVED, then you are obligated to keep the WHOLE law.
And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
If this is your heart, then you better be damn sure you keep that entire law to the dot for the rest of your life.
Salvation through faith, then why fight against sin?
Salvation through faith, then why fight against sin?
But if you truly believe with your heart that you have been saved by GRACE through faith, fighting against sin takes on a whole different meaning.
You no longer fight and strive to become blameless for salvation but because of love.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
You see, your works, your personal battle with your sin, is the evidence of you having faith.
Furthermore, it’s your act of growing and nurturing your faith.
It is not for the purpose of being saved.
Becoming righteous before the eyes of the Lord is not a matter of salvation or damnation, it’s a matter of proving you have faith.
Paul, in Galatians 5:6 says, “faith working through love.”
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
The first and the greatest commandment is to love the Lord.
Then Jesus goes on in John 14:15...
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
You fight against your sins because you love Jesus! Not so you can be saved!
So where are you with your fight against sin?
So where are you with your fight against sin?
If you have been fighting against sin for the sake of salvation...
Repent, and turn back to the grace of God.
If you have been fighting against sin because you love the Lord...
Continue on the narrow path! You are fighting a good fight!
If you have been passive and indifferent about your sin...
The acceptance prayer you prayed with whoever, and the act of baptism is of no use for you!
Faith without works of love for God is DEAD!
Take action TODAY!