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GRACE VS. WORKS
FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
Nelson’s Bible Dictionary [1986]
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Looking back on our years in the Worldwide Church of God, we saw many of their teachings were
true, even though the World’s main stream churches thought the Worldwide was just a cult. We listened to a
taped radio interview in 1990 of Michael Schneider, who was spokesman for Mr. Joe Tkach,sr. In the interview
the radio host asked if the World wide Church believed in the trinity? At that time, Mr. Schneider said that the
Holy Spirit was the power of God, not a person. In the same interview, he was asked, “If the church believed
in “by Grace you are saved and not by works?” He said we cannot be saved by works!
When looking at these terms, we see that the main stream Protestant churches teach that it’s only
necessary to accept Jesus into your heart and you will be saved by grace! But, is that what the Bible teaches?
Just what is the meaning of grace? Mr. Herbert W Armstrong’s meaning was un-merited pardon or undeserved.
The Nelson’s Bible Dictionary [1986] says: GRACE, “Favor or kindness shown without regard to the
worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves. Grace is one of the key
attributes of God. The Lord God is "..... merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and
truth" (Exo. 34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience as
the source of help and with deliverance from distress.
In the Old Testament, the supreme example of grace was the redemption of the Hebrew people from
Egypt and their establishment in the Promised Land. This did not happen because of any merit on Israel's part,
but in spite of their unrighteousness. (Deut. 9:5-6). Although the grace of God is always free and undeserved,
it must not be taken for granted. Grace is only enjoyed within the COVENANT-- the gift is given by God, and
the gift is received by man through repentance and faith. (Amos 5:15). Grace is to be humbly sought through the
prayer of faith. (Mal. 1:9).
The grace of God was supremely revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was
not only the beneficiary of God's grace (Luke 2:40), but He was also its very embodiment (John 1:14), bringing
it to mankind for salvation (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus restored the broken fellowship
between God and His people, both Jew and Gentile. The only way of salvation for any person is "through the
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:11).
The grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ is applied to human beings for their salvation by the HOLY
SPIRIT, who is called "the Spirit of grace" (Heb.10:29). The Spirit is the One who binds Christ to His people
so that they receive forgiveness, adoption to son-ship, and newness of life, as well as every spiritual gift or grace
(Eph. 4:7).
The theme of grace is especially prominent in the letters of the apostle Paul. He sets grace radically over
against the law and the works of the law (Rom.3:24,28). Paul makes it abundantly clear that salvation is not
something that can be earned or merited; it can be received only as a gift of grace. (Rom. 4:4). Grace, however,
must be accompanied by faith; a person must trust in the mercy and favor of God, even while it is undeserved.
(Rom. 4:16).
The law of Moses revealed the righteous will of God in the midst of pagan darkness; it was God's
gracious gift to Israel.(Deut. 4:8). But His will was made complete when Jesus brought the gospel of grace into
the world. (John 1:17).
The Apostle Paul taught that we must be willing to repent and become a new person in Christ. “If so be
that ye have heard Him [Christ], and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be
renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness” (Eph 4:20-24). “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times
past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when
we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew
the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For
we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them” (Eph 2:1-10). “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of Him that created him” (Col 3:10).
Most Protestant churches believe that being obedient to the Laws, Statutes and Judgments of God’s Word
is doing works! But being obedient is what our Father and Christ is wanting for each one of us! “And Samuel
said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22).
The Apostle Peter wrote in Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought
to obey God rather than men” And in 1 Pet 4:17-18, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the
house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if
the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
What does the Nelson’s Bible Dictionary say about works? WORKS: “Acts or deeds. God's works are
praised often in the Book of Psalms (Ps. 33:4); (92:5); (104:24). Christ's works are thoroughly discussed in the
Gospel of John (John 10:25-38). Man's works are either good or bad, and these two categories are often
mentioned together (Rom. 13:3,12); (Heb. 6:1), (10). Christians are taught to display good works (Matt. 5:16;
Rev. 3:8).
On the other hand, works are viewed negatively when they are either bad in themselves, works of
darkness (Rom. 13:12); (Eph. 5:11), works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19), idolatry (Acts 7:41), hypocrisy (Matt. 23:3-5),
or works of the law. Although works of the law are good in themselves, they do not bring salvation (Rom. 4:2,6);
(Gal.2:16). (Romans 4:2). (Abraham not justified by works) and (James 2:21). (Abraham justified by works) are
not contradictory but complementary; works were the evidence of Abraham's faith (James 2:14-26).”
When reading the book of Romans, we could take it that the law has been done away! But, when reading
all the scriptures and putting them in to contexts we see that the Apostle Paul said, “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; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers
of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained
in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their
hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one
another” (Rom 2:11-15).
Faith and works go together! The Apostle James tells us more on this subject. “What doth it profit, my
brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith,
if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:14-18).
Just what is faith? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb
11:1). Abraham was justified by faith! His example is for our learning. His trust in God was beyond our
comprehension! “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive
for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of
promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb 11:8-10).
When reading Hebrews chapter 11, we see the faith of our forefathers. They knew that God’s kingdom was
coming and they were willing to do what was required to obtain a position in the Kingdom!
Now looking at obedience, we see that it takes grace, faith and works to obey. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary
gives the meaning for OBEDIENCE: “Carrying out the word and will of another person, especially the will of
God. In both the Old and New Testaments the word obey is related to the idea of hearing. Obedience is a
positive, active response to what a person hears. God summons people to active obedience to His revelation.
Man's failure to obey God results in judgment. In the Old Testament covenant between God and man, obedience
was the basis for knowing God's blessing and favor (Exo. 19:5; 24:1-8). Samuel emphasized that God's pleasure
was not in sacrifice but in obedience (1Sam. 15:22). Even the promise of a new covenant emphasized obedience
as God's gift (Jer. 31:33).
In the New Testament, the obedience of Christ stands in contrast to the disobedience of Adam. The
disobedience of Adam brought death, but the perfect obedience of Christ brought grace, righteousness, and life
(Rom. 5:12-21).”
In conclusion of the whole matter of grace without faith, obedience and work, we cannot be in the
Kingdom of God. According to King Solomon instructions, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into
judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14). ☜