Faith Without Works?

[an excerpt from GRAFTED: Embracing Torah – coming to a bookstore near you]

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:20

Christianity teaches that Yeshua’s sacrifice freed us from sin and that Yahweh does not see our sins because they are covered by Yeshua’s blood. Once we “confess Yeshua as Lord” and “believe Yahweh raised him from the dead” (Romans 10:9-10), then we are guaranteed everlasting life. Living a good life afterward is nice but not necessary.

What does it mean to “confess someone as Lord”? I break down the criteria of “confessing” and “believing” at my blog site on WordPress.com (Born Again and Born Again – Part 2). This is not just an utterance of the right words (like an incantation), it is a deliberate commitment.

Joseph Stalin was a seminary student before joining the Communist Party in Russia. He later ruled the Soviet Union and oversaw the deaths of tens of millions of his own citizens as well as financing revolution throughout the world. Christianity teaches that if “Uncle Joe” (as FDR called him) was born again at some point before his venture into Communism, then he will be with us in paradise.

Christians often cite Galatians 2:16-21:

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. ¹⁷ But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. ¹⁸ For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. ¹⁹ For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. ²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Or Romans 8:1-4:

¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I agree that salvation is through faith (not that it matters whether I agree or not – it is what the Word proclaims), but Scripture states that works are the evidence of our faith:

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? canfaith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not thosethings which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? ¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? ²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. ²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:14-24; emphasis added

Paul continued to keep the Law throughout his life and was not shy to let people know: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” (Acts 24:14).

When we stand before the Judgment Seat (bema), we will be judged “least” or “greatest” in the kingdom (or somewhere in between):

¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. ¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:10-12

If faith in Christ is all we need, then what is the “account we must give” to Yeshua? Of course, we will be judged by our actions!

And what standard do you think he will use? No doubt the standard that Yeshua followed perfectly. Aren’t we called on to be like Christ? “Be ye followers of me [Paul], even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul admonishes the local church for allowing a man guilty of incest to remain within the body of believers:

¹ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. ² And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. ³ For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, ⁴ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁵ To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1Corinthians 5:1-5

The believers in Corinth knew of the sin, appeared to be ignoring the sin, and thereby acquiesced to the sin. The sinners were emboldened rather than chastised. They should have been counseled to reject their sin as the Word instructs (Matthew 18:15–17).

By neglecting to confront the sin, the community had (through omission) told the sinners that their behavior was acceptable and set an example that others might have followed. When we accept the unacceptable because of community standards or even praise the sinners as being “courageous,” we reinforce sin and condemn our brothers to destruction rather than redeem them to life.

Paul instructs that the man guilty of committing incest to be “delivered unto Satan for destruction.” This is more powerful than you might think. Being outside the religious community in a Roman-occupied land was very dangerous. Excommunication would force one to face the perils of everyday life alone until they eventually succumbed to the perils.

By removing them, it would force the sinners to reconsider their behavior and send a clear signal to the rest of the community that unrepentant sin would not be tolerated. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” but unrepentant sin can never be acceptable.

The “grace of God” that Paul speaks of in his epistles is not a blank check. It is not a “get-out-of-hell-free card”. Yahweh has not suspended His Law, and neither has His Son (as evidenced by the Word and by the lifestyles of the apostles). The Law (those aspects of it that can be followed today) is still necessary to navigate through this fallen world.

What Yahweh says about His Law:

1. It blesses and curses if it is done or not done (Deuteronomy 11:26–28; see also James 1:25).
2. It defines sin: “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” (Romans 3:20; see also Romans 7:7; 1 John 3:4).
3. It is perfect: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
4. It is liberty or freedom: “44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts” (Psalm 119:44–45; see also John 8:31–32).
5. It is Truth: “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth” (Psalm 119:142; see also John 8:31–32).
6. It is instruction on how to live or behave: “And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do” (Exodus 18:20; see also 1 Kings 2:1–3).
7. It is instruction on how to love Yahweh and others: “² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:2–3; see also Deuteronomy 6:5–9).
8. It is a light or the way of life: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23; see also Psalm 119:105).
9. It is for both Jew and the Gentile who dwell with you: “¹⁵ One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. ¹⁶ One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you” (Numbers 15:15–16; see also Romans 11:16–27).
10. It is Yeshua: “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13; see also John 1:14).

Psalm 119 has 176 verses, and every one specifically mentions a word synonymous with the Law. His Commandments are pretty important to Him.

What Yahweh says about obedience to His Law:

1. It is our purpose or the whole duty of man: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
2. It is wise: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:10; see also Psalm 19:7).
3. It is evidence of our faith: “³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1John 2:3-6; see also James 2:18).
4. It is how we love Yahweh and others: “⁵ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2John 1:5-6; see also 1John 4:19; 2:3-6; 5:3).
5. It is not sinning: “¹ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1John 2:1-3; see also John 5:14; Romans 8:6).
6. It makes us His “peculiar” people: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine” (Exodus 19:5; see also Titus 2:14; 1Peter 2:8–9).
7. It is our delight: “¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2; see also Psalm 119:35; Proverbs 29:18).
8. It is instruction in righteousness: “¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Timothy 3:16-17; see also 1John 3:7, 5:17).
9. It brings blessings and rewards: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12; see also Psalm 119:1-2, 128:1).

Yahweh created life, and then He gave that life a code of conduct so that it could survive and prosper in a fallen world. We are still in enemy territory, and it would behoove us to continue in the ways that many of Yahweh’s greatest warriors swore by. He does not change, and neither does His desire for us to obey His guidance (Malachi 3:6-7).

Works do not bestow salvation. Faith plus works do not bestow salvation. Faith bestows salvation and is evidenced by works. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).

Back to our “friend” Joe Stalin (he’s my poster boy for losing salvation). The Word states that we have all “sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This is why we have the sacrifice of Yeshua to cover our misdeeds. Willful and rampant trespass is not the same thing. In fact, it is evidence that one is not saved through “grace”:

²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. ²⁸ He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: ²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:26-31

This would appear to imply that one can lose their salvation, and I am okay with Yeshua making Stalin take a swim in the “fiery lake,” even if Joe was “born again” in his youth. Is grace conditional? I find no place where we are encouraged to violate the Torah because sin no longer touches us.

In fact, Paul adamantly states, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (Romans 6:15).

Does Yeshua allow himself to be mocked by the person who is “born again” and does whatever filthy act they desire? I don’t have the answer to this, but then, if you are reading this book, you are probably not seeking to treat salvation dishonorably. Do your best with what you know, then seek more knowledge.

You have a written record of what Yahweh has said is important. You also have the sacrifice of Yeshua to save you from eternal damnation.  If you are thankful for life and life everlasting, why not show your thanks and do what you are commanded to do?

¹ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. ⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

1John 2:1-7; emphasis added

If you were arrested for being a [Believer],

would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Author unknown