I continue my study of “works” and the overwhelming theme is that we rely on faith and not works, and that the works are a result of out salvation and justification thanks to our faith. Well, this morning I have been led to continued learning and reminders that while we got here through faith and works are a demonstration of that faith, I have to continue to rely on faith and not works.
“5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’?…10For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’” — Galatians 3:5-6 & 10 (ESV)
Relying on works gets us nowhere except in the arena of the cursed. Man cannot be relied on for salvation, only God. Jesus was cursed by the law so that I would not have to be. He was judged as to His works by the people who deemed those works against them. It did not matter that Jesus was light spreading the good news, the people were attached to firmly to the law they were unable to see Him for who He truly was.
I recently heard someone speaking that “Christian Nationalists” were wrong to believe that the rights of all are gained from God. Somehow this person believed that the rights of all come from man. Do we see now that this person is wrong in their thinking and have fallen to the idea that works are greater than faith? Clearly, as Paul notes above, these who believe this are “under a curse”.
I have gained my salvation and justification through my faith in Christ and the love He has for me. It is clear that I should stick with that which got me here and not waver in my attention to He who provided for me. I am sure that a lot of us have heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, why fix it”. That is how I have to be in my relationship with Christ. Relying on faith worked, why try and fix it with works.
What are you doing now that your faith got you to the relationship with Christ? Are you somehow trying to prove and earn more through your works? What if you were to stick with faith since it worked to get you here?
Trevor's Thoughts 