The Faith OF Christ in the Gospel of Grace

The Faith OF Christ in the Gospel of Grace

STATEMENT:

In connection with our salvation, our works regarding obedience to Christ must reflect that which is dealt with in James. So, while we put faith in Christ’s work on the cross, that faith is meaningless without good works. Literally your faith is dead. Dead faith is of no value whatsoever and will not, and cannot, be used to meet the condition to receive grace.

RESPONSE:

I’m glad that you raise this very interesting point as it is a crucial, yet a very overlooked detail in the scriptures. I do want to respond on what you say about faith. Have a careful look at these three scriptures:

Rom 3:21-22 But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,

Gal_3:22 But the Scripture shut up all under sin, so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Php_3:9 and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith,

When we hear the gospel of grace, we respond by believing in Jesus to save us. But the scriptures above confirm that it is not even OUR faith, let alone any works of righteousness that reconcile us to God. Notice how it says it is the faith OF Christ, not faith IN Christ. We believe in Jesus Christ, but it is Christ’s faith that saves us.

The faith you speak of, referring to the epistle of James, is connected to the Kingdom gospel. Believers in this gospel had to rely on their faith to be saved. They had to believe in Jesus, hence confess Him as Lord. They had to prove their faith with works. They had to pick up their cross and endure to the end. Their faith was taken into account for salvation.

In the grace gospel, as mentioned, we surrender ourselves entirely to Christ. It this moment, God imputes Christ’s live to us and our life is nailed to the cross. This transaction of justification is so complete that we nothing more is requited. We don’t need to prove ourselves to God. We don’t have to work for and qualify our faith. We don’t have to do anything as Christ has already done it all for us. Romans chapter 3 and chapter 5 fully explain and confirm this. Our salvation in this grace gospel is not a work we perform or earn. It is God’s work that has already been completed through Christ 200-years ago. It is a gift that you simply receive by believing in Christ alone.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

How much simpler and clearer must the Bible put it?

Your statement, “So while we put face in Christ’s work on the cross that faith is meaningless without good works. Literally your faith is dead . Dead faith is of no value whatsoever and will not and cannot be used to meet the condition to receive grace.” is true for Peter, James, and John in the Kingdom program for Israel, but it is a misinterpretation of the salvation in the grace gospel.

We must be aware of two programs (two different gospels and doctrines) in the New Testament. We cannot blend or mix the two up. If we do not keep them separate, they will bring confusion, contradiction, and false interpretations of scripture. Kingdom belongs to Israel only. Grace, through Paul’s writings is addressed to us today. Stay within Paul’s doctrine and you will remain in the right context.