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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE:  FAITH VERSES WORKS

This is often a debate among Christians. Some believe that they can check off a list of Christian things. This is a works-based religion. But there is a difference in religion and salvation. Many non-Christian religions are works based. You have to crawl up a mountain of steps with an offering strapped to your back to offer to an idol. You have to wear a certain religious robe, hat or piece of clothing. All of these are things that are man’s ideas and not based on God’s word. Many in the early church struggled with faith verses works.

Gal. 3:1-2 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

The people in Galatia were trying to mix the new gospel with works of the law. He asked them if they received the Holy Ghost by works of law or by hearing of faith. He wanted them to realize that all the rituals they did under the law was not necessary. Because we are justified by our faith in the work of the cross and not by works, we can do to check off a list that makes us a “good little Christian.”

Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

He asked them if they were foolish enough to think that they would receive the Spirit of God only to turn around and be justified by the works of the flesh.

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This says without faith we cannot please God. It says that we must have faith. It doesn’t say that God is pleased with our list of good things we do. But if we have the Spirit of God within us, good works will follow us.

But they do not justify us. Oxford’s dictionary online says: the word Justify means declare or make righteous in the sight of God:

Our works do not save us or give us right standing with God. But they will follow a believer.

Oxford’s dictionary on line also says the word justify when applied to a page of text mean that the text is spread evenly and the edges are straight.

That is what God does for us, he adds himself in the spaces to spread us out so that our edges are straight.

Going back to Galatians.

Gal 3:4-5 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Paul was trying to open their eyes by asking the question, when miracles happen is it because of the Spirit of God inside of you or by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith.  It is because of the Spirit of God. There is nothing we can do to create a miracle. It has to be through the power of God that dwells within us.  We access God’s Spirit through faith, not by works.

Gal 3:6-7 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Because Abraham believed God, He became the father of many nations. It took the spirit of God to make it possible for them to have Issac. That was not by works of the flesh. Works are not to be thrown out completely. Faith without works is dead. Sometimes we have to, as the old timers would say, put legs on our prayers.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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