We are not justified by works or by the Law.

The Bible clearly shows that we are not justified by works or the Law (Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11-12). This is a difficult concept for many of us to wrap our minds around because we tend to think that if we do good works, we will be rewarded. We also think following the rules can please God and earn his favor. But the truth is that works and the Law are not what brings us justification. Instead, only through faith in Jesus Christ can we find true justification. We must recognize and accept that our works can never compare to the grace and mercy shown through Jesus Christ.

We tend to think we will be rewarded if we do good work.

We all like to be rewarded for our good works, and it is natural for us to think that if we do something good, we will be rewarded for it. This has been taught to us from a young age, and it is a common belief in society. However, the Bible tells us something different. In Galatians 2:16, we are told that no one is justified by works of the Law but rather by faith in Jesus Christ. This means that our works can’t save us and that any reward we get is only because of God’s grace and mercy.

Galatians 3:11-12 also tells us that no one is justified by works of the Law, but rather by faith in Jesus Christ. This means that our works can’t save us, and any reward we get is only because of God’s grace and mercy. It is important to remember that good works do not lead to salvation. We can do good works, but they are not the source of our salvation. Instead, we can be saved only through faith in Jesus Christ.

So, while we may have been taught that if we do good works, we will be rewarded, the Bible teaches something different. We are not saved by our works, but by faith in Jesus Christ. We should not think that our good works will earn us a reward but rather trust in God’s grace and mercy. Our works may bring us joy, but ultimately, the reward we receive is only through the grace of God.

The Law is not enough, and it is not the answer.

The Law is not enough, and it is not the answer. We often look to the Law as a way to fix everything, but it’s not the answer. We can look to Romans 8:3-4 for guidance: “For what the Law was powerless to do because the flesh weakened it, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fully met in us. Who does not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” The Law is powerless to do what is needed to be done. Our own human nature and our own human understanding weaken it. We need something more significant than the Law to meet the righteous requirements of the Law entirely. We need God’s grace and mercy.

The Law is essential and serves a purpose, but not enough. After all, the Law will not bring justice, love, and peace. It is not the answer. Look to God and His love, grace, and mercy. Rely on His Spirit to guide us in our lives and decisions. We must seek His will and follow it. We can look to Jesus and His example to show us how to love and forgive. Now let us look to Him for guidance and strength.

The Law can provide some level of justice but cannot bring true justice from a heart of love and grace. We need to seek that justice in our hearts and in our lives. We must be willing to forgive and love even those who have wronged us. We must seek out the Spirit and allow it to guide our decisions and lives. Only then can we truly find justice, love, and peace. The Law is not enough, and it is not the answer. We need something greater, something of God and not man.

It is a Gift by Grace

The gift of grace is an incredible blessing from our Heavenly Father. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by God’s grace, not our own works. It is a gift of mercy given to us by Jesus Christ and our assurance that God forgives and accepts us. We are given this gift of grace freely, without any strings attached.

Romans 11:6 tells us that God gives us grace as a gift. It is a gift of mercy and grace from His love and kindness. We are given this gift of grace to be reconciled to Him and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. This gift is freely given, and it is a gift that we can never repay.

The gift of grace is a fantastic blessing we can never fully comprehend. We are fortunate to have been given this gift and must share it with others. We must use this gift to show others the love of God and how He is always willing to forgive and accept us, no matter what our past may be. Every day we should thank God for His love and grace and the incredible gift He has given us.

It is truly a gift by grace, and we should never take it for granted. We should always be thankful for this fantastic gift and be sure to share it with others. Let us remember the words of Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 11:6, and be grateful for the gift of grace we have been given.

Faith Without the Works of Faith is Phony

The Bible gives us many examples of faith backed up by action. James 2:14 says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” This verse tells us that faith without action is useless. It is necessary to do the works of faith to show God we truly believe in Him.

God wants us to talk about our faith and live it out. James 2:21-24 states, “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. People are considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” This verse shows us that Abraham’s faith was made complete by what he did. His faith was not just words but was backed up by action.

It is not enough to have faith; we must live it out and have the works of faith to back it up. We cannot just say that we believe in God and then not act upon it. It is not enough to pray and thank God, we must do the works of faith to show that we genuinely believe in Him. We have to have faith and action working together. The Bible is clear that faith without the works of faith is phony. We must be living out our faith and doing the works of faith to show God we truly believe in Him.

Circumcision VS Uncircumcision

For those that don’t know, circumcision is a surgical procedure involving removing the foreskin from the penis. This practice has existed for centuries and is still practiced in some cultures today. We find in the Bible that there is mention of circumcision being a religious requirement for Jewish people. We see in Romans 4:2 and Galatians 5:6. That there is a circumcision of the body that is required by Law for those of the Jewish faith. There is also a discussion about the circumcision of the heart.

The Bible speaks of the circumcision of the heart as a spiritual act rather than a physical one. The heart is figuratively referred to as a spiritual organ that needs to be redeemed. And the physical body to be cleansed and made pure. This spiritual cleansing is done through faith in Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. The Bible says that true circumcision is of the heart, for the outward sign of circumcision is only a symbol of the inner spiritual circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).

Circumcision of the heart is a spiritual act that transforms our inner man. We must put away the old self, with all its sinful desires, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God (Ephesians 4:22-24). This transformation is achieved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, a spiritual act of surrendering our lives to Him and His will. We must turn away from sin, turn to God, and live a life of obedience to Him.

Circumcision of the body is a physical act rooted in Jewish Law. In contrast, circumcision of the heart is a spiritual act required of all believers in Jesus Christ. The former is a sign of outward obedience, while the latter involves a spiritual transformation of the heart. Thus, it is more essential to circumcise our hearts than external bodies, for the heart is the trustworthy source of our spiritual life. As the Bible says, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).

Hearers and Doers of the Word

Paul’s letter to the Romans is one of the most widely read books of the Bible, and the call to be both a hearer and a doer of the word is an important message. In Romans 2:13, Paul wrote, “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” This verse tells us that it’s not enough to hear the word of God and be familiar with His teachings. We must act on them and live out our faith.

This truth applies to every area of our lives. We can’t just read Scripture, pray, attend church services, and then ignore God’s commands the rest of the week. We must be doers of the Word, living out our faith practically. We should strive to live a life that honors God, following His commandments and reflecting His love in our actions.

In addition to being doers of the Word, we should also strive to be hearers of the Word. Although it’s important to be obedient to God, we must also take the time to read and study His Word. We should be careful to avoid the temptation to hear what we want to hear and instead listen to God’s commands and His direction for our lives. We should read and meditate on Scripture and ask God to show us how to apply it.

Living as both a hearer and a doer of the Word is not easy, but it is possible. By studying the Bible and praying for guidance, we can become better equipped to live out our faith. We should remember that even when we fail, God is always ready to forgive and guide us back to righteousness. As Romans 2:13 reminds us, it is the doers of the Law who are righteous before God. We should strive to be both hearers and doers of the Word to live faithfully according to God’s will.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

The Spirit versus the flesh is a concept that is often discussed in religious circles. This can be found in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. We can see in Galatians 5:17 that it states, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict, so you are not to do whatever you want.” This verse clearly explains that the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict.

“flesh” is often a metaphor for the physical body and its desires. It is seen as driven by carnal desires such as lust, greed, and envy. On the other hand, the Spirit is seen as driven by more spiritual desires such as love, peace, and joy. The conflict between the two is a struggle between the desires of the flesh as well as the desires of the Spirit.

The Bible often speaks of the need to walk in the Spirit. This means to live in a way that aligns with the desires of the Spirit. This is difficult to do because the flesh is constantly vying for control. However, when we strive to live in a way pleasing to God, it becomes easier to resist the desires of the flesh.

The Spirit versus the flesh is an age-old battle that has existed since the beginning. It is a conflict between the desires of the physical body and the desires of the Spirit. It is a struggle that can only be won through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:17 reminds us that the Spirit and the flesh conflict, so we must strive to live pleasingly to God.

Deeds of the Flesh

The Bible’s book of Galatians 5:19-21 speaks to us about the “deeds of the flesh.” These verses tell us about the sinful nature of mankind and the sinful actions that come from that nature. Paul, the author of Galatians, explains that the deeds of the flesh “are evident” and lists out some of the sins that come from the flesh. Paul says, “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these” are the deeds of the flesh and will lead to spiritual death.

The Bible clearly shows that these are not good traits and lead us away from God. We must strive to be better than our fleshly nature and choose to live a pleasing life to God. We must choose to do things that will lead us toward spiritual life instead of spiritual death. We must live a life full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We must also recognize the power of grace and forgiveness. We must realize that God forgives and will always forgive us when we repent. We must understand that we can’t do it alone and rely on God’s grace to help us live better lives. We must also remember that God is always with us and will never leave us, no matter what.

The Bible’s book of Galatians 5:19-21 teaches us about the “deeds of the flesh” and how they lead us away from God. We must remember that these are not good traits to have, and instead, strive to be better and choose to do things that will lead us toward spiritual life. We must also recognize the power of grace and forgiveness and remember that God is always with us.

Fruit of the Spirit

The Bible’s book of Galatians 5:22-23 talks about the “fruit of the Spirit,” which are nine characteristics we should strive to cultivate. These qualities are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities come from God and help us to live a life that is pleasing to Him. To grow these qualities in our lives, we must be willing to submit our will to God and allow Him to work through us. We must also practice these traits in our daily lives so that they become a part of who we are. By doing this, we can develop a closer relationship with God that will help us live a life full of love and joy. The Fruit of the Spirit is an essential concept in the Bible, as it lists nine spiritual fruits Christians should strive to cultivate. This list of nine fruits is in the Bible, specifically in Galatians 5:22-23. The nine fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Love is the first of the nine fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Love is an active decision to care for someone else, regardless of circumstances. It is a complete and unconditional acceptance of someone else, irrespective of their flaws or shortcomings. Love is a conscious effort to put someone else’s needs before your own and seek their best interests. It is a beautiful reflection of the love that God has for us.

Joy is the second fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Joy is the state of being happy and content. It is an emotion that is rooted in peace and contentment. Joy results from trusting in God and His plans for our lives. Joy is a source of strength and peace in suffering and trials.

Peace is the third fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Peace is the state of being calm and tranquil. It is the absence of fear, worry, and anxiety. Peace results from trusting in God and His plans for our lives. Peace is the assurance that everything will work out for the best, no matter what.

Patience is the fourth fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Patience is the ability to endure difficult situations without getting angry or frustrated. It is the ability to wait calmly and confidently, regardless of the circumstances. Patience is a critical component of faith, as it is trusting in God’s timing and plan for our lives.

Kindness is the fifth fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Kindness is the quality of being gentle, considerate, and generous. It is doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return. Kindness reflects God’s love for us, as He is kind and generous.

Goodness is the sixth fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Goodness is the quality of being morally upright and just. It is the desire to do what is right, even when difficult. Goodness reflects God’s character, as He desires us to live according to His standards.

Faithfulness is the seventh fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Faithfulness is the quality of being loyal and dependable. It is the commitment to remain faithful to one’s promises, even when difficult. Faithfulness reflects God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness, as He is always faithful to His promises.

Gentleness is the eighth fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and mild-mannered. It is being respectful and understanding, even in difficult situations. Gentleness reflects God’s compassion, as He is gentle and merciful to us.

Self-control is the ninth fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Self-control is controlling one’s emotions, thoughts, and actions. It is having the discipline to resist temptation and stay focused on what matters most. Self-control reflects God’s character, as He has perfect self-control in all situations

The Fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23, reminds us how to live according to God’s standards. Each fruit reflects an aspect of God’s character and reminds us of how we should strive to live our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control point us back to God and His perfect example.

Conclusion

What about the person who does good works yet does not have the Spirit of Christ? ;Romans 8:3-4;

He is a counterfeit. Just as a worthless piece of metal looks like a coin, so does a worthless person look like one who is truly saved from sin. ;Hebrews 6:4;

Some people may think they are Christians and wish they could be accepted by others. Yet the Bible clearly states that a person’s identity comes from Christ alone. (Romans 8:5-8) The Spirit of Christ does not dwell in a person who the Holy Spirit has not regenerated. Only those born of God through faith in Jesus Christ can experience the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit and become new creations. ;Galatians 3:26-27;

When people believe in Jesus and acknowledge Him as their Savior, the Holy Spirit enters their life, and they are born again. This is a decision they make, not a result. ;John 1:12-13; John 3:3-5; Acts 8:39-40; Romans 10:9-10;

When you accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you become a child of God. At that point, God’s saving grace begins transforming your life. And He will guide you through this new stage of your spiritual growth. This gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to every person who ever lived, so it is available to everyone. ;John 3:16; Titus 3:5-7; Ephesians 2:8-9

Works are often used as the standard for determining whether or not someone has truly been converted. A person must have a change of heart and a life of obedience, often resulting in a change in livelihood. The only way to be sure is to know a person well. Thus, when talking with someone, could you note how they act? That will give you an indication of whether or not they have been genuinely converted.

However, it is essential to remember that a person does not need to be perfect to be a Christian. The apostle Paul, for example, was once known for his boasting. One day, he encountered a man who lived down the street from him, and the man said to him: “Paul, I hear that you are the most boastful man in all of Greece.” Paul replied, “Yes, wast thou not aware that Jesus Christ, who was taken up from among the Jews, has appeared among us as the Son of God? And we are not to be made proud of this, but rather humble and lowly in his presence.” It was not that Paul had a changed heart – he was still boastful – but he had changed his behavior. A change of heart is the only measure that truly matters.

 

 

 

Bruce Mitchell is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher who loves to share God’s Word in everyday life. He has studied at Biola University and Dallas Theological Seminary. His blog (Allelon.us) is all about the principles of Agapao Allelon (Loving One Another) and God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, and Forgiveness and how it applies to our daily lives as Christ-Followers. (1 Peter 4:8)