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Galatians Not Saved By Works of the Law again
Galatians Not Saved By Works of the Law again
Works verses Conditions
It is common today for people to read such statements as Gal. 2:16, and then conclude that ‘works’ means any and all obedience to any and all commandments revealed in the New Testament. If one would be saved apart from the forgiveness offered by Jesus, then he would need to live a life without sin against God. We must admit that such a concept has ruled us out as we all have sinned!
There are commandments that are conditions for forgiveness. Most commandments are NOT conditions for forgiveness, but are commandments that are unto holiness. When one fails in such, he then must turn to Jesus to find forgiveness. What commandments are tied to forgiveness?
To Become a disciple, one is to Obey the gospel:
· The continuing TRUST in Jesus to be my source of forgiveness - 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 10:9-10; thus ‘walking by faith’ (2 Cor. 5:7).
· The open continuing confession of such Trust: Matt. 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10.
· Repentance from such sins: Luke 24:44-45; Acts 2:38; 3:19, 11:8, and others.
· Baptism into Christ: Gal. 3:26-29, Acts 2:38, 41; 22:19; Mark 16:15-16.
As a disciple, you will find that you sin. Such is not ‘a lifestyle’. That is, you have indeed set your heart on following Jesus, but have given into a temptation that you have encountered. What then? We have two passages that directly address such incidents in the lives of disciples. In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer believed and was baptized, thus becoming a disciple (Acts 8:12-13). Yet, he coveted the power of an apostle to be able to lay hands on people and give them various miraculous gifts of the Spirit. At that point we read Peter’s inspired response: Acts 8:
John in his 1st letter to disciples, wrote in 1 John 1:7-9: “(7) but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (8) If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
So, when we as disciples sin, we repent of this sin, confessing that such was a sin committed by us, and pray that God will forgive! Upon such action in my life, God is faithful to forgive because of my relationship to Jesus.
SUCH is the continued life of faithfulness unto Jesus. I try to keep all that Jesus revealed through the Apostles (Matt. 28:18-20), and find forgiveness when ever I fail and sin.
Are you trusting Jesus, keeping all His commandments including the obedience unto forgiveness?
Hugh DeLong