Works of the Law

[Solitude]

James is clear, You can see, then, that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Can you imagine their reaction come judgment day? When it comes to James , will they try to claim they were always illiterate?

 

[Solitude]

Yet another Judaizer thread.

Do you believe a person must believe the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ if they are ever to get to heaven?

 

[Nedsk]

Can you imagine their reaction come judgment day? When it comes to James , will they try to claim they were always illiterate?

Not they will tell God he's taking it out of context. A most favorite refrain of theirs.

 

[memberofthebride]

Can you imagine their reaction come judgment day? When it comes to James , will they try to claim they were always illiterate?

Comment:

To just say with one's mouth 'I believe' or 'I have faith' is nothing. any one can do that, even a five year old

James is saying one must prove their faith by the way they live.

Remember the old saying "put up or shut up"

James is saying, I can prove my trust, my faith in Jesus Christ by my life, I do what Christ tells me to do,

faith is Demonstrated, is proven by actions not words

thats one reason God allows us to have problems, how will we preform, He want to know?

 

[Gideon300]

Many people hear the phrase “works of the law” and immediately think that all law is abolished, that the law is only Jewish, or that keeping God’s commandments means becoming a Judaizer. From there, they conclude that the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses were one single thing and were all removed. This first assumption is where the confusion begins, and if it is not corrected, everything that follows will be misunderstood
.
In Scripture, the word “law” does not always mean the same thing. God gave the Ten Commandments also called moral commandments that show His will and His character, such as loving God, loving others, honoring parents, not murdering, not stealing, not lying... These commandments define sin and righteousness. God also gave Israel covenant signs and ritual laws, such as circumcision, sacrifices, food laws, and temple rules. These marked Israel as a nation and pointed forward to deeper spiritual truths. Mixing these together and treating them as one single system leads people to think that obedience itself is the problem. Jesus never taught that.

Jesus did not speak against God’s commandments. He spoke against trusting in outward religious acts while the heart remains unchanged. When a man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life, Jesus answered plainly, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17, NKJV). Jesus then quoted commandments from the Ten Commandments. He did not say they were abolished. He treated them as the standard of life.

The phrase “works of the law” describes attempts to be counted righteous through outward acts, identity markers, and rule-keeping without repentance, mercy, or obedience of the heart. This is exactly what the Pharisees practiced, and Jesus rebuked them severely for it. They were experts in religious rules, but strangers to mercy and truth.

Jesus exposed their false works many times. He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23, NKJV). They were careful with small religious details but ignored love, compassion, and faithfulness. This is a clear picture of “works of the law.”
J
esus also rebuked them for using the law to avoid helping others. He said they found ways to excuse themselves from caring for their parents while claiming to honor God with religious vows. He told them, “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition” (Matthew 15:6, NKJV). Their works looked holy, but they canceled God’s will.
They fasted, prayed, and gave alms to be seen by others. Jesus warned against this kind of religion. He said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1, NKJV). He taught that public religion without humility has no reward from God. These were works done for pride, not for love.
They also trusted in their religious status. Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who prayed by listing his religious acts and thanking God that he was better than others. Jesus showed that this man was not justified, while the humble sinner who cried for mercy was accepted by God (Luke 18:9–14, NKJV). Again, this shows the problem was not obedience, but self-righteous works.

Jesus made it clear that true obedience comes from the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, He showed that anger breaks the command against murder, lust breaks the command against adultery, and careless words break the command against truth. He did not lower the law. He revealed its true meaning. He also said plainly, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17, NKJV). He then warned against setting aside God’s commandments or teaching others to do so.

Jesus also taught what true works look like when the heart has been changed. These are not works done to earn life. They are works that flow naturally from love, mercy, and obedience. Jesus described them clearly when He spoke about the final judgment. He said, “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35–36, NKJV). These people were not trying to prove themselves. They were simply living out love, and Jesus said that what they did to the least, they did to Him.

Jesus also said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46, NKJV). He compared the obedient person to a wise man who built his house on rock. Hearing without doing was not enough. True faith listens and acts.
He taught generosity, care for the poor, and quiet mercy. He said, “Give to him who asks you” (Matthew 5:42, NKJV), and “Sell what you have and give alms” (Luke 12:33, NKJV). He also taught that these acts should be done in secret, from a sincere heart, not for praise.

In simple words, false works try to earn righteousness. True works reveal righteousness. “Works of the law” are actions done to claim status, identity, or salvation without a changed heart. Jesus rejected that path completely. He called people to repent, to believe, and to follow Him.

When the heart is changed, obedience follows. Feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, forgiving others, and living truthfully are not replacements for faith. They are the fruit of faith.

Jesus summed it up clearly when He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15, NKJV). Love comes first, but love is proven by obedience. Jesus did not remove God’s commandments. He restored their true meaning and showed that real faith is alive, active, and full of mercy.

Why do you bother? You do not know the purpose of the law or the real Christian life. You take grace and put it back under the law. Do you not know that Christ is the end of the law for those who believe? Romans 10:4 Have you not read Acts 15?

 

[pinebeach]

is paul having all authority in heaven on on earth or is it Jesus?, all of you here so far have failed to understand this fact.

can anyone here find fault in what I wrote?

Maybe its you? Maybe you are confusing the authoritiy of Paul that comes directly from Jesus with your self made authority?

You deny what Jesus said about His blood being the covenant yet pretend to hang on every word Jesus says. Every word but that one, right?

You fit right in with the Judaizers that Paul confronted. You are a person who looks on the outward performance, but God looks on the heart. It seems Judaizers cannot stand to hear that Jesus alone atoned for us and all our works are as filthy rages. Are you familar with that verse? Surely you must be since you hang out in the Old Testament so much.

1. Early Church Period: Opposition to Paul began in the early church, shortly after his ministry started. The book of Acts and Paul’s own letters reflect the fact that he was frequently met with hostility, particularly from Jewish-Christian groups who believed in the necessity of adhering to the Mosaic Law. These groups, sometimes referred to as Judaizers, insisted that Gentile converts must follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision and dietary laws, in addition to believing in Christ. Paul vehemently opposed this view, especially in his letters to the Galatians and Romans, where he argued that justification is by faith in Christ alone, apart from the works of the law

 

[pinebeach]

Jesus was a Jew, do you hate him too?

This is the type of question that reveals someone who would falsely accuse another at the drop of a hat. Do you love Jesus?

If you say you do and yet you do not back up those words, then you do not love Him. You need to acknowledge the fact He said
that the covenant was through His blood. Do not tell others to obey this or that when you disobey Jesus every time you ignore some of His last words before His death.

 

[pinebeach]

James is clear, You can see, then, that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

That is not what James said. As it is, many people do good works and yet they are not Christians. Works save no one. People who constantly talk about works and the works they do, are not about following Jesus. Those people are all about themselves and boasting when the only thing we should boast about, is Jesus.

By the way, what part does the Holy Spirit play in your life?

 

[Gideon300]

is paul having all authority in heaven on on earth or is it Jesus?, all of you here so far have failed to understand this fact.

can anyone here find fault in what I wrote?

Do you not know that Lord Jesus gave His authority and power, in His name, to all who are born again? Luke 10:19.

 

[vassal]

Why do you bother? You do not know the purpose of the law or the real Christian life. You take grace and put it back under the law. Do you not know that Christ is the end of the law for those who believe? Romans 10:4 Have you not read Acts 15?

show me where Christ ended the law I can otherwise, ad for the "law" here I always speak of the ten commandments not the law of Moses. I believe you did not read the O.P. or did not understand the contents, have a look, you can corroborate all I wrote with scripture. please have a second look i covered many things bur not everything or the post would have been too long.


the roman verse you spoke of you misunderstand read carefully Gideon, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. not simply "end of the law" and Paul is correct , i explain this principle in the O.P do you know the difference?

Cheers.

 

[Soyeong]

Many people hear the phrase “works of the law” and immediately think that all law is abolished, that the law is only Jewish, or that keeping God’s commandments means becoming a Judaizer. From there, they conclude that the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses were one single thing and were all removed. This first assumption is where the confusion begins, and if it is not corrected, everything that follows will be misunderstood
.
In Scripture, the word “law” does not always mean the same thing. God gave the Ten Commandments also called moral commandments that show His will and His character, such as loving God, loving others, honoring parents, not murdering, not stealing, not lying... These commandments define sin and righteousness. God also gave Israel covenant signs and ritual laws, such as circumcision, sacrifices, food laws, and temple rules. These marked Israel as a nation and pointed forward to deeper spiritual truths. Mixing these together and treating them as one single system leads people to think that obedience itself is the problem. Jesus never taught that.

Jesus did not speak against God’s commandments. He spoke against trusting in outward religious acts while the heart remains unchanged. When a man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life, Jesus answered plainly, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17, NKJV). Jesus then quoted commandments from the Ten Commandments. He did not say they were abolished. He treated them as the standard of life.

The phrase “works of the law” describes attempts to be counted righteous through outward acts, identity markers, and rule-keeping without repentance, mercy, or obedience of the heart. This is exactly what the Pharisees practiced, and Jesus rebuked them severely for it. They were experts in religious rules, but strangers to mercy and truth.

Jesus exposed their false works many times. He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23, NKJV). They were careful with small religious details but ignored love, compassion, and faithfulness. This is a clear picture of “works of the law.”
J
esus also rebuked them for using the law to avoid helping others. He said they found ways to excuse themselves from caring for their parents while claiming to honor God with religious vows. He told them, “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition” (Matthew 15:6, NKJV). Their works looked holy, but they canceled God’s will.
They fasted, prayed, and gave alms to be seen by others. Jesus warned against this kind of religion. He said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1, NKJV). He taught that public religion without humility has no reward from God. These were works done for pride, not for love.
They also trusted in their religious status. Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who prayed by listing his religious acts and thanking God that he was better than others. Jesus showed that this man was not justified, while the humble sinner who cried for mercy was accepted by God (Luke 18:9–14, NKJV). Again, this shows the problem was not obedience, but self-righteous works.

Jesus made it clear that true obedience comes from the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, He showed that anger breaks the command against murder, lust breaks the command against adultery, and careless words break the command against truth. He did not lower the law. He revealed its true meaning. He also said plainly, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17, NKJV). He then warned against setting aside God’s commandments or teaching others to do so.

Jesus also taught what true works look like when the heart has been changed. These are not works done to earn life. They are works that flow naturally from love, mercy, and obedience. Jesus described them clearly when He spoke about the final judgment. He said, “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35–36, NKJV). These people were not trying to prove themselves. They were simply living out love, and Jesus said that what they did to the least, they did to Him.

Jesus also said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46, NKJV). He compared the obedient person to a wise man who built his house on rock. Hearing without doing was not enough. True faith listens and acts.
He taught generosity, care for the poor, and quiet mercy. He said, “Give to him who asks you” (Matthew 5:42, NKJV), and “Sell what you have and give alms” (Luke 12:33, NKJV). He also taught that these acts should be done in secret, from a sincere heart, not for praise.

In simple words, false works try to earn righteousness. True works reveal righteousness. “Works of the law” are actions done to claim status, identity, or salvation without a changed heart. Jesus rejected that path completely. He called people to repent, to believe, and to follow Him.

When the heart is changed, obedience follows. Feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, forgiving others, and living truthfully are not replacements for faith. They are the fruit of faith.

Jesus summed it up clearly when He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15, NKJV). Love comes first, but love is proven by obedience. Jesus did not remove God’s commandments. He restored their true meaning and showed that real faith is alive, active, and full of mercy.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Galatians 3:10-12

I agree that "law" does not always mean the same thing. For example, in Romans 7:25-8:2, Paul contrasted the Law of God with the law of sin and contrasted the Law of the Spirit of Life with the law of sin and death. In Romans 3:27, Paul contrasted a law of works with a law of faith, in Galatians 3:10-12, he contracted the Book of the Law with "works of the law", and in Romans 3:31 and Galatians 3:10-12, he said that our faith upholds the Law of God in contrast with saying that "works of the law" are not of faith, so that phrase does not refer to the Law of God ritual or otherwise, which is why it is not of faith. Rather, Paul used "works of the law" to refer to the positions that Gentiles are required to become circumcised (become Jews) in order to become saved/justified. Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers to obey the Law of Moses by word and by example and the problem that Paul had with the Judaizers was not that they were teaching Gentiles how to follow Christ.

The Bible never refers to the Ten Commandments as being the moral commandment and never suggests that we can be acting morally while disobeying God's other commandments. Holiness is an aspect of God's character, so it is a moral issue. In 1 Peter 1:16, we are told to be holy for God is holy, which is a quote from Leviticus where God was giving instructions for how to do that, such as by refraining from eating unclean animals (Leviticus 11:44-45).

 

[vassal]

Do you not know that Lord Jesus gave His authority and power, in His name, to all who are born again? Luke 10:19.

The statement is false Luke 10:19 was not spoken to all believers, but only to the seventy disciples Jesus personally sent on a mission. It was a specific authority for a specific time and task, not a promise to everyone who would later believe. Jesus Himself corrected them right away, saying not to rejoice in power, but that their names were written in heaven, showing that salvation, not authority, is what matters. Being born again is never defined by Jesus as receiving power or authority, but as entering and seeing the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJV). He also made clear that all authority belongs to Him alone, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18, KJV). If all power belongs to Jesus, then no one has it by default. Jesus even warned that many would claim power in His name and still be rejected, saying, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23, KJV). Therefore, being born again does not mean receiving authority or power, but receiving new life and belonging to God’s kingdom.

 

[vassal]

I agree that "law" does not always mean the same thing. For example, in Romans 7:25-8:2, Paul contrasted the Law of God with the law of sin and contrasted the Law of the Spirit of Life with the law of sin and death. In Romans 3:27, Paul contrasted a law of works with a law of faith, in Galatians 3:10-12, he contracted the Book of the Law with "works of the law", and in Romans 3:31 and Galatians 3:10-12, he said that our faith upholds the Law of God in contrast with saying that "works of the law" are not of faith, so that phrase does not refer to the Law of God ritual or otherwise, which is why it is not of faith. Rather, Paul used "works of the law" to refer to the positions that Gentiles are required to become circumcised (become Jews) in order to become saved/justified. Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers to obey the Law of Moses by word and by example and the problem that Paul had with the Judaizers was not that they were teaching Gentiles how to follow Christ.

The Bible never refers to the Ten Commandments as being the moral commandment and never suggests that we can be acting morally while disobeying God's other commandments. Holiness is an aspect of God's character, so it is a moral issue. In 1 Peter 1:16, we are told to be holy for God is holy, which is a quote from Leviticus where God was giving instructions for how to do that, such as by refraining from eating unclean animals (Leviticus 11:44-45).

The main issue is that the argument relies almost entirely on Paul’s categories and definitions, then reads them back into the whole Bible as if they settle the matter. Jesus Himself never taught faith by contrasting “laws” this way, nor did He explain obedience using terms like “law of works” or “law of faith.” He taught obedience as hearing His words and doing them. Also, while holiness is indeed moral, Scripture does not say that every command given to Israel applies the same way to all people in all times. Some commands were tied to Israel’s calling, land, priesthood, and temple life. Jesus affirmed the Law, but He also taught that what defiles a person comes from the heart, not from food, and He placed the weight of judgment on obedience to God’s word as He taught it. So the reasoning goes beyond what Jesus clearly taught and depends on later frameworks rather than starting from His own words.

Blessings

 

[Dino246]

show me where Christ ended the law I can otherwise, ad for the "law" here I always speak of the ten commandments not the law of Moses.

You just contradicted yourself. "Law" is the law as given through Moses. Using it to mean only the ten commandments has no foundation in Scripture. Scripture both distinguishes them and encompasses the commandments within the Law.

See Exodus 16:28 and 24:12, Deuteronomy 30:10, Joshua 22:5, 1 Kings 2:3, 2 Kings 17:13, among many others.

 

[Blade]

I honestly don't know anyone other then here no offense that thinks like that. What happen to the NT in your studying? So much of this has been shared, taught, explained.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Therefore, being born again does not mean receiving authority or power, but receiving new life and belonging to God’s kingdom.

fyi

But as many as received him, to them gave he authority to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13​

 

[Gideon300]

show me where Christ ended the law I can otherwise, ad for the "law" here I always speak of the ten commandments not the law of Moses. I believe you did not read the O.P. or did not understand the contents, have a look, you can corroborate all I wrote with scripture. please have a second look i covered many things bur not everything or the post would have been too long.


the roman verse you spoke of you misunderstand read carefully Gideon, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. not simply "end of the law" and Paul is correct , i explain this principle in the O.P do you know the difference?

Cheers.

Try studying the rest of the scriptures regarding the law. I'm not going over it again. And the 10 commandments came through Moses. So it is indeed the law of Moses.

 

[Gideon300]

James is clear, You can see, then, that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

So James is right and Paul a heretic? You legalists are weird.

 

[Gideon300]

The statement is false Luke 10:19 was not spoken to all believers, but only to the seventy disciples Jesus personally sent on a mission. It was a specific authority for a specific time and task, not a promise to everyone who would later believe. Jesus Himself corrected them right away, saying not to rejoice in power, but that their names were written in heaven, showing that salvation, not authority, is what matters. Being born again is never defined by Jesus as receiving power or authority, but as entering and seeing the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJV). He also made clear that all authority belongs to Him alone, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18, KJV). If all power belongs to Jesus, then no one has it by default. Jesus even warned that many would claim power in His name and still be rejected, saying, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23, KJV). Therefore, being born again does not mean receiving authority or power, but receiving new life and belonging to God’s kingdom.

Do you know what the kingdom of God is? Obviously not. If you belong to God's kingdom, you have power and authority.
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
Also 2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and Acts 1:8

 

[vassal]

I honestly don't know anyone other then here no offense that thinks like that. What happen to the NT in your studying? So much of this has been shared, taught, explained.

who are you replying to blade? please use the reply button so we know.