A false equivalence is bad logic. It occurs when we believe that the same word in different contexts means the same thing. This happens in Christian discussions of the word works. We solve the confusion by asking what kind of “works” is being discussed. Is it works of the law or works of obedient faith? Did Jesus ever require good works as a Christian obligation?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)
Was Abraham a man of obedient faith before the law of Moses? How could he be justified by the works of a law that was added later?
For if Abraham was justified by works [that is, of the law], he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:2-3 NASB)
Why was the law added?
What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed [Jesus] should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. (Galatians 3:19 NKJV)
Did Jesus encourage works of obedient faith like those of Abraham?
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.” (John 8:39-40 NKJV)
Was Abraham’s faith proven by works of obedience or works of the law? If the law came later, how could Abraham be justified by works of the law? What kind of works did Abraham have?
Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? (James 2:21 HCSB)
Is faith only possible for Jews or also for Gentiles?
Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. (Romans 4:9 NLT)
Was Abraham counted righteous because of the work of circumcision or before that?
But when did this happen? Was it before or after Abraham was circumcised? Of course, it was before. (Romans 4:10 CEV)
What did Abraham do for all who believe?
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. (Romans 4:11-12 ESV)
Did works of the law or faith give Abraham’s spiritual descendants the world?
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13 KJV)
Is Abraham’s life encouragement to us?
And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. (Romans 4:23-24 NLT)
How does Jesus figure into this?
God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God. (Romans 4:25 CEV)
In Abraham we see that the work of circumcision and works of the law are not the same as good works of faith. Before the works of circumcision and the law, Abraham was righteous by a living faith of obedience. Through similar obedient faith, anyone can become an heir of the world with Abraham. Will you? You decide!
Fruitful Faith (Bible E-Course 26 Romans 3)
Do Jews have any advantage that others do not have?
Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words [oracles] of God. (Romans 3:1-2 NASB)
What if some of the Jews were unfaithful?
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? (Romans 3:3 NLT)
Are Jews superior to Gentiles? What did Paul say?
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:9-10 KJV)
Do our mouths reveal what we are truly like? Does Paul quote several Psalms about our words?
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Romans 3:13-14 NIV cp. Psalm 5:9; 140:3; 10:7)
What knowledge did the law reveal?
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20 NKJV)
How can Jews and Gentiles be made right with God?
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Romans 3:21-22 NLT)
Have all sinned, both Jew and Gentile? Does that include Mary? Can we be made righteous or justified?
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24 WEB)
Does bragging about works of the law like circumcision, Sabbath keeping, clean foods and animal sacrifices make us right with God? What about faith?
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:27-28 ESV)
Luther added the word “alone” here which contradicts Jesus, James and 1500 years of Christian teaching before him. What did James write?
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:24 NASB)
Does James contradict Paul? Context is important. Here Paul is speaking about the works of the law and James is speaking about good works that accompany an obedient faith. Should Christians obey Jesus?
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
What did Paul elsewhere write is some of the fruit of a Christian life?
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 NASB)
What did Jesus teach about bearing fruit? Can fruit be born by a branch apart from the vine? Is this the basis of the Protestant idea that good works follow attachment to the vine or grafting into the natural olive tree (Romans 11:11–24)?
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4 NIV)
What happens to anyone who does not remain in Christ? What does the fire represent?
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6 NKJV)
How will the dead be judged?
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:12-13 KJV)
Is God a bigot?
Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t God the God of Gentiles also? Yes, God is also the God of Gentiles. (Romans 3:29 CEB)
Is the law overthrown or nullified by faith?
Do we then cancel the Law through this faith? Absolutely not! Instead, we confirm the Law. (Romans 3:31 CEB)
The oracles or words of God in the Old Testament were given to the Jews. However, Jews are also fellow sinners, just like the rest of the world. We both need Jesus. Do you obey Jesus, in good works? You decide!
Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words [oracles] of God. (Romans 3:1-2 NASB)
What if some of the Jews were unfaithful?
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? (Romans 3:3 NLT)
Are Jews superior to Gentiles? What did Paul say?
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:9-10 KJV)
Do our mouths reveal what we are truly like? Does Paul quote several Psalms about our words?
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Romans 3:13-14 NIV cp. Psalm 5:9; 140:3; 10:7)
What knowledge did the law reveal?
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20 NKJV)
How can Jews and Gentiles be made right with God?
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Romans 3:21-22 NLT)
Have all sinned, both Jew and Gentile? Does that include Mary? Can we be made righteous or justified?
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24 WEB)
Does bragging about works of the law like circumcision, Sabbath keeping, clean foods and animal sacrifices make us right with God? What about faith?
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:27-28 ESV)
Luther added the word “alone” here which contradicts Jesus, James and 1500 years of Christian teaching before him. What did James write?
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:24 NASB)
Does James contradict Paul? Context is important. Here Paul is speaking about the works of the law and James is speaking about good works that accompany an obedient faith. Should Christians obey Jesus?
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
What did Paul elsewhere write is some of the fruit of a Christian life?
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 NASB)
What did Jesus teach about bearing fruit? Can fruit be born by a branch apart from the vine? Is this the basis of the Protestant idea that good works follow attachment to the vine or grafting into the natural olive tree (Romans 11:11–24)?
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4 NIV)
What happens to anyone who does not remain in Christ? What does the fire represent?
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6 NKJV)
How will the dead be judged?
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:12-13 KJV)
Is God a bigot?
Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t God the God of Gentiles also? Yes, God is also the God of Gentiles. (Romans 3:29 CEB)
Is the law overthrown or nullified by faith?
Do we then cancel the Law through this faith? Absolutely not! Instead, we confirm the Law. (Romans 3:31 CEB)
The oracles or words of God in the Old Testament were given to the Jews. However, Jews are also fellow sinners, just like the rest of the world. We both need Jesus. Do you obey Jesus, in good works? You decide!
Jew & Gentile, Equal before God (Romans 2 Bible E-Course 26)
How can we recognize sin yet not be judgmental of others? Is it because we should also recognize that we are all guilty of sin?
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. (Romans 2:1 NLT)
Does Paul differentiate good works from works of the law? Are our good works in this life only rewarded with greater eternal blessings or is eternal life itself also based upon whether or not we do good works? Can we let Romans speak for itself?
God will repay everyone based on their works. [How?] On the one hand, he will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work. But on the other hand, there will be wrath and anger for those who obey wickedness instead of the truth because they are acting out of selfishness and disobedience. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God does not have favorites. (Romans 2:6-11 CEB)
Do people sin with or without the law?
For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law (Romans 2:11-12 KJV)
Do human societies often instinctively respect parts of God’s law against things like murder, theft, false testimony and adultery?
God accepts those who obey his Law, but not those who simply hear it. Some people naturally obey the Law's commands, even though they don't have the Law. This proves that the conscience is like a law written in the human heart. And it will show whether we are forgiven or condemned (Romans 2:13-15 CEV)
Does possession of God’s law alone make anyone righteous? Does this also apply to Christians who have the Gospel, but disobey Christ? Does Christian history also contain atrocities?
You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. (Romans 2:23-24 HCSB)
Can circumcision be useless if it doesn’t go along with a circumcised heart?
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. (Romans 2:25 NIV)
Circumcision was a physical command that separated Jews from Gentiles (Genesis 17:10-14; Exodus 12:48; Leviticus 12:3). What is true circumcision, and who does it identify?
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh (Romans 2:28 KJV)
What was circumcision originally meant to portray?
So circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck any longer. (Deuteronomy 10:16 NASB)
What does circumcision of the heart mean?
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. (Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV)
How does Paul explain this? Who are true Jews?
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God. (Romans 2:29 NASB)
True circumcision is of the heart and, though the Jew was first in time order, both Jew and Gentile are judged equally before God. God “will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work. But on the other hand, there will be wrath and anger for those who obey wickedness instead of the truth because they are acting out of selfishness and disobedience.” Will you obey God? You decide!
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. (Romans 2:1 NLT)
Does Paul differentiate good works from works of the law? Are our good works in this life only rewarded with greater eternal blessings or is eternal life itself also based upon whether or not we do good works? Can we let Romans speak for itself?
God will repay everyone based on their works. [How?] On the one hand, he will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work. But on the other hand, there will be wrath and anger for those who obey wickedness instead of the truth because they are acting out of selfishness and disobedience. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God does not have favorites. (Romans 2:6-11 CEB)
Do people sin with or without the law?
For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law (Romans 2:11-12 KJV)
Do human societies often instinctively respect parts of God’s law against things like murder, theft, false testimony and adultery?
God accepts those who obey his Law, but not those who simply hear it. Some people naturally obey the Law's commands, even though they don't have the Law. This proves that the conscience is like a law written in the human heart. And it will show whether we are forgiven or condemned (Romans 2:13-15 CEV)
Does possession of God’s law alone make anyone righteous? Does this also apply to Christians who have the Gospel, but disobey Christ? Does Christian history also contain atrocities?
You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. (Romans 2:23-24 HCSB)
Can circumcision be useless if it doesn’t go along with a circumcised heart?
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. (Romans 2:25 NIV)
Circumcision was a physical command that separated Jews from Gentiles (Genesis 17:10-14; Exodus 12:48; Leviticus 12:3). What is true circumcision, and who does it identify?
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh (Romans 2:28 KJV)
What was circumcision originally meant to portray?
So circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck any longer. (Deuteronomy 10:16 NASB)
What does circumcision of the heart mean?
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. (Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV)
How does Paul explain this? Who are true Jews?
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God. (Romans 2:29 NASB)
True circumcision is of the heart and, though the Jew was first in time order, both Jew and Gentile are judged equally before God. God “will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work. But on the other hand, there will be wrath and anger for those who obey wickedness instead of the truth because they are acting out of selfishness and disobedience.” Will you obey God? You decide!
Atheism, Emotional not Logical (Bible E-Course 26 Romans 1)
Romans is a book written by Paul to help Jewish and Gentile Christians realize that we are all equal before God.
Paul introduced himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. Was He a slave of Christ because he was ransomed from slavery to the devil, because Jesus paid the ransom price? Is slavery to Christ actually true freedom?
From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for God’s good news. (Romans 1:1 CEB)
Are all Christians saints?
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7 ESV)
Who is God’s power for salvation to? Is this possibly an important summary of Romans?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17 HCSB)
How do atheists restrain or hinder the truth?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Romans 1:18-19 KJV)
Is there really any excuse for atheism?
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 NASB)
To what did God abandon those who refused to listen? Do many still worship people or other created beings more than God?
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. (Romans 1:24-25 NIV)
How did they dishonor their bodies? Does Romans speak plainly? Is it hate speech or love speech to warn about practices that incur bad consequences?
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26-27 NKJV)
Are other sins also involved?
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful (Romans 1:29-31 WEB)
Romans 1 teaches us some true motives behind atheism, a self-deluded emotional desire to excuse wrongdoing and not logic. Do you believe the ubiquitous evidence for God’s existence? You decide!
Paul introduced himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. Was He a slave of Christ because he was ransomed from slavery to the devil, because Jesus paid the ransom price? Is slavery to Christ actually true freedom?
From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for God’s good news. (Romans 1:1 CEB)
Are all Christians saints?
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7 ESV)
Who is God’s power for salvation to? Is this possibly an important summary of Romans?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17 HCSB)
How do atheists restrain or hinder the truth?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Romans 1:18-19 KJV)
Is there really any excuse for atheism?
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 NASB)
To what did God abandon those who refused to listen? Do many still worship people or other created beings more than God?
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. (Romans 1:24-25 NIV)
How did they dishonor their bodies? Does Romans speak plainly? Is it hate speech or love speech to warn about practices that incur bad consequences?
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26-27 NKJV)
Are other sins also involved?
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful (Romans 1:29-31 WEB)
Romans 1 teaches us some true motives behind atheism, a self-deluded emotional desire to excuse wrongdoing and not logic. Do you believe the ubiquitous evidence for God’s existence? You decide!
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