Comfort Doctrines (4)
Comfort Doctrine A teaching that gives false spiritual comfort to one who does not want to be held accountable for sinful activity.
Comfort Doctrines (4) Are we saved by works? (2)
Salvation by works Good works outweigh evil works – enough Works based religions Minimalism Picking and choosing Do some Christians have a problem with this?
Understanding Grace God’s grace the PRIME factor in our salvation! Our Salvation
Understanding Grace The importance of grace Eph. 2:8-9 Rom. 3:23-24 Titus 2:11-13 A gift offered but not forced upon us Our Salvation
Understanding Works There are works that do not save Ephesians 2:9 Romans 3:20 Romans 4:2-4 Our Salvation
Understanding Works BUT there are commands that MUST be obeyed Gal. 6:2 – law Gal. 5:6 – working 1 John 5:3-4 – commandments, Rom. 6:17,18 – obeyed, Heb. 5:9 Our Salvation
Understanding Works How do we reconcile these texts? We must identify the types of works addressed! Our Salvation
Understanding Works Types of works Gal. 5:19-21, Rom. 13: – works of the flesh Gal. 2:16, Rom. 3:28 – works of the law 1 Thess. 1:3, 1 Cor. 15:58 – works of faith Our Salvation
Understanding Works OBVIOUSLY, works of the flesh are not what is discussed in Eph. 2:9 Works of the law – ARE under consideration! (prime example – the Law of Moses) Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Moses: Could not forgive sins permanently Heb. 10:1- 4, 11 Required sinless perfection Gal. 3:10-12, Jas. 2:10-12 Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Moses: IF kept perfectly he could brag Rom. 4:2 But NONE kept it perfectly (except Jesus) so it could not justify Heb. 7:11-12, 8:7, etc. Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Faith – (Necessary obedience) God offers us the gift of salvation, but we must BY FAITH accept it. Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Faith – Does not require sinless perfection Rom. 3:23-24, Heb. 10:11-14, 17 (we can be forgiven) Provides permanent forgiveness – Eph. 1:& Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Faith – Has conditions Rom. 6:17, Heb. 5:9 If not a Christian – obey the gospel If a Christian - Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:9 Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Faith – You CANNOT trust in yourself for salvation! You trust in God and therefore obey Him! Cf. 1 Pet. 3:21, Jas. 2:14-26 Our Salvation
Understanding Works The Law of Faith – There is no place for boasting! Eph. 2:9, Rom. 3:27, Luke 17:10 Our Salvation
Understanding Works The difference between “works of law” and “works of faith” One involves entitlement, the other involves obedience One is about you, the other is about God The difference is ATTITUDE! Our Salvation
Understanding Works Abraham an example of works of faith! Rom. 4:4 Unable to justify himself (by works) But he was NOT perfect Our Salvation
Understanding Works Abraham an example of works of faith! BUT he trusted God to take care of him (Faith)– Rom. 4:3 Our Salvation
Understanding Works Abraham an example of works of faith! Justified by faith that included works Jas. 2:18-24 He obeyed God – Heb. 11:8, 17 He did not EARN His salvation, but he achieved it by obedience Our Salvation
Understanding Obedience What is obedience? “to comply with, or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes or instructions of” In Greek – to listen to, hearken – with the idea being that you submit to what you hear Our Salvation
Understanding Obedience Examples of obedience Children obey your parents – Eph. 6:1 Obey the law – Rom. 13:1, 5 Reward for compliance, punishment for disobedience Our Salvation
Understanding Obedience Obedience NOT about earning something as in wages ( Rom. 4:4) Obeying God based upon belief in Him and His word. Understanding of reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience ( 2 Thess. 3:14 ) Our Salvation
What does God demand? He demands a faith that obeys! Does it involve works? YES! Are they meritorious works? NO!
What does God demand? He demands reverence – Heb. 12:28 He demands that we seek Him first Matt. 6:33, 10:37-39, Lk. 14:33
What does God demand? He demands holiness – 12 Pet. 1:13-16, Heb. 12:14 We must QUIT sinning – 1 John 1:5-7, 3:4-9 He demands purity – 1 John 3:3
Comfort in Obedience Let us NEVER reason that our salvation is about our works. It is about obeying God. We find comfort because we know He is pleased with us when we obey
Comfort in Obedience We find comfort because we CAN be forgiven! If we refuse to obey God we ought to be afraid!
Will you obey God’s will today?