1. Works of Law
-vs-
Good Works

2. For centuries there has been a debate raging about a possible
contradiction between the
teaching of James and
the Apostle Paul.

3. Galatians 2: 12
For prior to the coming of certain men from
James, he used eat with the Gentiles; but
when they came, he began to withdraw and
hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the
circumcision.

4. Peter was influenced to withdraw by peer pressure,
not by doctrinal conviction.

5. Jewish Christians were still required to
obey the Law as the law of Judah.
Acts 21: 26
Then Paul took the men, and the next day,
purifying himself along with them, went into
the temple giving notice of the completion
of the days of purification, until the sacrifice
was offered for each one of them.

6. This supposed conflict is
actually a very significant theological issue.

7. Galatians 2: 15-16
We are Jews by nature and not sinners from
among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing
that a man is not justified by the works of the
Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we
have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may
be justified by faith in Christ and not by the
works of the Law; since by the works of the
Law no flesh will be justified.

8. James 2: 26
For just as the body without the spirit is dead,
so also faith without works is dead.

9. Romans 3: 19-20
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it
speaks to those who are under the Law, so that
every mouth may be closed and all the world
may become accountable to God; 20 because
by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified
in His sight; for through the Law comes the
knowledge of sin.

10. Romans 4: 2-5
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has
something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham
believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his
wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes
in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is
credited as righteousness,

11. James 2: 20-24
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that
faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our
father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son
on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his
works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness." and he was called the friend of God. 24 You
see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

12. Our lesson will address the question, “How
can works be both required for salvation and
unable to contribute to a person’s salvation?”
We will observe :
I. Good works and works of the Law are different.
II. Good works are essential, but cannot save.
III. Good works are the fruit of faith.

13. I. There is a difference
between “good works”
and “works of Law.”

14. What are “works of the Law?”
Mark 7: 1-4
The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around
Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen
that some of His disciples were eating their bread with
impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees
and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash
… Continued

15. What are “works of the Law?”
Mark 7: 1-4 … Continuation
their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders;
4 and when they come from the market place, they do
not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are
many other things which they have received in order
to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers
and copper pots.)

16. What are good deeds?
Acts 10: 38
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed
Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how
He went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

17. Acts 4: 9
If we this day are judged for a good deed done
to a helpless man, by what means he has been
made well,
Mark 14: 6
But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother
her? She has done a good deed to Me.

18. Titus 3: 14
Our people must also learn to engage in good
deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will
not be unfruitful.
Hebrews 13: 16
And do not neglect doing good and sharing,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

19. Good works and works of the Law are done for different motives.

20. Romans10: 3-5
For not knowing about God's righteousness and
seeking to establish their own, they did not subject
themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ
is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone
who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who
practices the righteousness which is based on law
shall live by that righteousness.

21. Luke 17: 10
So you too, when you do all the things which
are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy
slaves; we have done only that which we ought
to have done.

22. Romans 3: 23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
James 2: 10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles
in one point, he has become guilty of all.
Matthew 5: 16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
who is in heaven.

23. I Peter 2: 12
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles,
so that in the thing in which they slander you as
evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as
they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Mark 1: 41
"If You are willing, You can make me clean." 41 Moved
with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and
touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

24. Thus, works of the Law and
good works are done for
different motives.

25. II. Good works are essential
to salvation, but they
cannot save a person.

26. to the exclusion of works.
Clearly … Salvation is
by grace through faith
to the exclusion of works.

27. Ephesians 2: 8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a
result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 3: 27-28
Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind
of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we
maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works
of the Law

28. Titus 3: 5
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we
have done in righteousness, but according to His
mercy, by the washing of regeneration and
renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 2: 8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

29. James 2: 20, 24
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow,
that faith without works is useless? …. 24 You see that
a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
James 2: 26
For just as the body without the spirit is dead,
so also faith without works is dead.

30. III. Good works are the fruit
of faith, the proof that
one’s faith is alive.

31. John 3: 3
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say
to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the
kingdom of God.“
Romans 6: 4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through
baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too
might walk in newness of life.

32. II Corinthians 5: 17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the
old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Ezekiel 36: 26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within
you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your
flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 "I will put My
Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes,
and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

33. Romans 12: 2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that
you may prove what the will of God is, that which
is good and acceptable and perfect.
Galatians 2: 20 – I have been crucified with Christ;
and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

34. This new transformed life is a visual manifestation of one’s faith.
James 2:18
But someone may well say, "You have faith and
I have works; show me your faith without the works,
and I will show you my faith by my works."

35. Works of the Law are attempts to comply to the demands of a legal
system which can never save you.
Luke 17: 10
So you too, when you do all the things which are
commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves;
we have done only that which we ought to have done.

36. Good deeds are part of the nature of faith. James 2:18
But someone may well say, "You have faith and
I have works; show me your faith without the works,
and I will show you my faith by my works."

37. What does your life
tell the world
about your faith ?

38. Remember His Love

39. Your Heavenly Father
loves you; make Him
proud of you this week!