Yes you can, When it comes to salvation.
Because we are saved FIRST by Faith alone in the WORK of God.
And our own WORKS are a BYPRODUCT of that salvation.
When you say WORKS must come first. Your saying salvation is not a grace gift, but an earned reward. And are boasting of saving yourself by your own works.
I am not saying works could come first (self-rightous) . Works do not proceed faith, the plan. I am say saying we are saved the faith of God that works in us . The unbelieving (no faith) Jew that is used to represent unbelieving mankind turned
it upside down
it the apposing faith took away God's understanding.
We are saved by the work of God .His work of faith or labor of love.
We begin with the faith of God working in us called the
"hearing of faith" revealed below in Galatians 3 .
Us hearing him through his word
it (faith) works in us, giving us a imputed righteousness in order to perform the good will of God, a mystery .
I would call the mystery of faith in respect to His faith . Previously having no faith by which we could hear him not seen . As we are informed in Roman 3. What if some refuse to beleive the word of God. The Christian's source of faith, will
it (there unbelief, no faith) make the faithful word of God without effect?
To effect something is to work it out in that way.
Romans 3 King James Version (KJV)What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.For
what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the
faith of God without effect?
I think it is emphasized below in Galatians. Beginning with the Holy Spirit calling Christians foolish. Defining a fool as one who says there is no God in their heart, unbelief. as those who have no faith.
Revealing even believers do foolish things that deny the
hearing of faith( the
work of God giving ear for the churches to hear Him not seen . Twice he emphasizes its the work of God that does work in those who have the new faith to believe and therefore can do the good will When and if he faithfully works in us, with us, making His faith perfect
Galatians 3 King James Version (KJV)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?This only would I learn of you, Received ye the
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the
hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the
Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.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? Even as Abraham believed God, and
it was accounted to him for righteousness
Faith cannot be separated from works . That can be seen right away If Abraham was justified vy works then whose, if not of the faith of Christ as the power of God that all beliver have in these bodies of death . Same faith as that of rehab or us today .the mutual
faith of Christ.
Niether the faith nor the works are attributed to the Rehab the believer. Christ began
it in them and he finished
it,making
it perfrct.
Faith = Christ's
Works = Christ's
Working in =
mankind
Righteouness of =
Christ
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father
justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how
faith wrought with
his works, and by
works was
faith made
perfect? 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.James 2:20-23
It, God's power of faith working made the devil flee . Powerful word
"it"
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for
it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto himMathew4:10-11
