For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression (Rom 4:14-15).
This should be obvious to us all. If blessing is gained by the works of the Law, it is earned. This is why Gal 3:18 says: For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
The Apostle Paul also declares in Rom 4:4-5: Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. We can, of course, decide that we'd like to go by way of verse 4 and receive payment for our works. But if we do, we had better be perfect, because that's what's required (Rom 6:23; James 2:10). And don't forget that Romans 3:23 clearly says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
But let's go back to that phrase: "the law brings wrath." Many people somehow do not see this. Even some clergymen tell us that the Law was given to help us be good. But God Himself says, "the law brings wrath." Every criminal knows this, and every sinner should know it. God certainly places strong emphasis upon it:
"Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions" (Gal 3:19), "that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God" (Rom 3:19).
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin" (Rom 3:20).
If we come to God expecting eternal life because of our good works, whether they are performed before or after we trust in Him, are we not offering Him our terms, which He can never accept? He will never sell salvation at any price, and certainly not for a few paltry "good" works when our lives are filled with failure and sin.
Our only hope? God has promised to give eternal life to those who trust in His Son (John 3:35-36; Acts 16:31). It's not our good works, nor is it faith plus our good works, that justify us. It is faith in Christ — alone.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (Rom 3:28).
For...the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:23).
This should be obvious to us all. If blessing is gained by the works of the Law, it is earned. This is why Gal 3:18 says: For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
The Apostle Paul also declares in Rom 4:4-5: Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. We can, of course, decide that we'd like to go by way of verse 4 and receive payment for our works. But if we do, we had better be perfect, because that's what's required (Rom 6:23; James 2:10). And don't forget that Romans 3:23 clearly says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
But let's go back to that phrase: "the law brings wrath." Many people somehow do not see this. Even some clergymen tell us that the Law was given to help us be good. But God Himself says, "the law brings wrath." Every criminal knows this, and every sinner should know it. God certainly places strong emphasis upon it:
"Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions" (Gal 3:19), "that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God" (Rom 3:19).
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin" (Rom 3:20).
If we come to God expecting eternal life because of our good works, whether they are performed before or after we trust in Him, are we not offering Him our terms, which He can never accept? He will never sell salvation at any price, and certainly not for a few paltry "good" works when our lives are filled with failure and sin.
Our only hope? God has promised to give eternal life to those who trust in His Son (John 3:35-36; Acts 16:31). It's not our good works, nor is it faith plus our good works, that justify us. It is faith in Christ — alone.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (Rom 3:28).
For...the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:23).
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph 2:8-9).
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