justified by grace through redemption...* at the present justified in his blood...*
Justified by faith we have peace before God, and stand in grace which we have access to by faith. We were brought near to God through the blood of Jesus.* We received the gift of abundant grace and the gift of righteousness through Christ.* Through the death of Jesus we were reconciled, so we can draw near to God.* From the riches of His grace we received spiritual blessings of adoption, redemption, the forgiveness of sin.* Having been adopted through the Spirit, redeemed and forgiven through the blood of Jesus, we have boldness to approach the throne of grace. This grace of God reigns through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus.* Under the Old, maturity and life was not achieved, if it had Christ would not have needed to come. The Old was a shadow of things to come, of Christ in whom we bear fruit of the kingdom of God.
so also the one Christ, who offered once and for all to bear the sins of many, appears in time to those awaiting him, without reference to sin but unto salvation.*
God demonstrates his love in that while we were dead in tresspasses and sin God sent not his Son to condemn the world but to save it.* And He is coming again not in reference to sin but salvation. To save us from evil and from this flesh, to give us a glorified body. Yes, there will be a day of wrath and judgement for those who do not believe, they are condemned already. By faith when we believe we receive what Christ has, what Christ has worked in the flesh on our behalf. Jesus took our place before a righteous judge and he took on our sin on a cross so that we are not judged for it. The concept of propitiation is also that Jesus appeased God's anger and wrath. The Law came through Moses, it had wrath, judging and condemning, grace and truth came in Jesus Christ, but much more, justification, righteousness, and sanctification,* A person who justifies himself by works of the Law also goes back to the Law, falling from grace. These create a god in the image like that in the Old Testament. Like the church of Galatia.
you severed yourself from Christ's justification, justified in the Law, fallen from grace.*
We know that justification is in Christ alone. Salvation requires this. At the core of justification is that it is in Christ, which is by grace through redemption and through his blood. The law of faith states it is freely given apart from works of the law. So what work must I do to obtain justification? To work is to earn a wage, and if I earn something then I can boast in my achievement. But the whole point is we all fell short of the glory of God and while we were dead in trespasses and sin Christ died for the ungodly. By grace states we can not boast about it, we did not do any work to earn it. So we hold that we are justified by faith according to grace, not of works, but justified through his blood, and by grace through redemption. Faith without works is dead James argues but justification is by faith according to grace, no one will be justified before God by works. Through the work of Christ we receive justification through faith, receiving the gift of righteousness, not from our works. True faith increases in measure bearing fruit, the works of faith, fruit of righteousness. Paul writes we will rule over sin not under the Law but under grace. How will we rule over sin? we have something those under the Law did not have, grace and power.
by grace existing saved through faith and this is not from yourself, the gift of God, not of works so that no one boasts.*
Some people believe that salvation can be lost. Though I believe many people will think they are saved by justifying themselves in works, I believe redemption, the forgiveness of sin and adoption is eternal. Predestination, some call it foreknowledge, says that God foresees thus because God forsees he would not have chosen me to begin with. Also Jesus said the Spirit must grant it and that anyone who eats of living bread will have eternal life. So for me to loose my salvation I would have to redo what I received freely, that in His blood. I would have to redo redemption, forgiveness of my sin and God would have to remove His Spirit from me thus redo the blessing of adoption, redemption and forgiveness. But these blessings Paul writes comes from the riches of His grace, so like the question of what good works justifies me, like as, what bad works un-justifies me? What work did I do to receive justification? what work did I do to receive eternal life? What work would I have to do to loose it? The gift we receive in Jesus Christ, that of righteousness encompasses eternal life, and justification. What work did I do to receive this gift? Can I say that salvation doesn't require redemption, forgiveness thus doesn't require justification? And how was justification given to me but through His blood? what did I do to earn such? Salvation is not from myself, lest I boast about it.
where then is the boasting? excluded through what law? of works? By no means, but through the law of faith, for we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.*
What does the law of faith say, that by faith alone we are saved? Or is it that we are justified by faith apart from works of the Law? That a righteousness is revealed apart from works of the Law. The latter is a better translation of the Greek. So we conclude by the law of faith (whereby we do not do away with the Mosaic Law without another law in its place, and this dispensation of grace states the law of faith doesn't nullify God's requirement for holiness) that we are released from the Old covenant, the Law. No one will be justified in the eyes of God by works of the Law. So it is true that it is by faith alone in comparison to works of the Law. I will not be justified by following the ten commandments. The promise of inheritance was given to Abraham by faith according to grace before the Mosaic Law. When I believe in Jesus, I receive justification according to grace, not works, through redemption, and forgiveness through his blood, thus I receive freely justification and righteousness. Now, we also conclude consecration, holiness, godliness are different things. In this the concept of growth comes into view. I am given the gift of righteousness, this seed of God in me will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. Therefore true faith increases in measure, it grows producing fruit of good works. This growth into maturity is what bears fruit, this is the concept that I am his workmanship prepared beforehand to walk in good works.
for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, whom God prepared beforehand, so that we walk together.*
The person who justifies himself by works often quotes this verse to justify his works justified mindset. What does it mean we are created in Christ Jesus for good works? The concept is that of growth, that the mature, the holy, the saints have grown up to bear fruit. What kind of plant bears fruit? A mature plant. So what works according to the scriptures must I do to grow up and bear fruit? Jesus said to bear fruit one must abide in Him, the Vine. This concept of abiding also is of remaining, if we go out on our own we are no longer connected to the Vine, we no longer remain and endure in the Vine but we have fallen off like dead branches destined to be gathered and burned. The principles of and the process of growth we see in the parable of sowing.* The seed of God is planted within me, I grow deep roots, then grow upward enduring the weeds to maturity bearing fruit of righteousness, of the Spirit of life. This is the concept of walking about as Jesus did, in truth, in maturity, in that I bear fruit and resemble Him in image and character. Those trying to resemble Jesus through works, who justify their existence by their works, miss the whole point.
abide in me, as I in you. just as a branch has no power to bear fruit by itself; unless abiding in the vine, so neither can you unless abiding me.*
The Law had no power to mature men to bear fruit. Jesus warned us about the danger of focusing on works and not growth; many will justify themselves by works, doing mighty works in His name without knowing Him. Paul writes we grow up in knowledge of the Son, so those who do not know Him, the seed of God is not planted in them and they can never bear fruit of God. Therefore their good works are like offering up sacrifices of dung, filthy rags to God. It is not that we do not do good works, but that good works is fruit of our maturity. Or said another way to help us understand, the natural outcome of maturity is bearing fruit thus if we focus on growth people will by their new nature grow up to bear fruit. Bearing fruit is the outcome of true faith. True godly discipline is that we share in His character, not that we prosper in this world. True faith increases in measure, therefore if we never increase then it was never true. Fruit comes after we are rooted and grounded in the true blessings of God, like redemption, forgiveness which come through his blood. There is nothing we can do to earn these but we must work for that which endures unto life.
Work not for food that perishes but for food that abides unto eternal life which the Son of Man will give you...*
We see people followed Jesus having a works justified mindset, Jesus said they followed him for the wrong reason, for earthly food and they must work for food that endures unto Life. The people then asked what work must we do for this food? What work must one do to receive food that endures unto eternal Life? If I tithe ten percent of everything can I have it? if I give all I have to help orphans and widows do I possess it? what work must I do to receive eternal life? Jesus said, "this is the work of God, that you believe in whom he sent."* The work God desires is that you believe. The food that they must work for is the words of Jesus that bring about believing and life, Peter understood, confessing the words of Jesus exist eternal life. Jesus said it was the Spirit that revealed such to him, as the Father must grant one to come to Him. What work can I do to come to Jesus? I must work for food that endures unto life, and the Father must chose me, so what work must I do?
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price!*
How can I work and buy food that endures unto life? What work must I do to believe and receive eternal life? Jesus said I must work for and eat food that endures unto life. The food is living bread that came down from heaven, the Word of God that became flesh, so I must eat and feed upon this food. What work must I do? The concept of receiving is that of buying, not like working for a wage and buying earthly food but buying food without cost, that has no price, freely given. Jesus said one must behold him, consider His words in which we see faith has the root meaning to be persuaded. And is not that the definition of true leadership, to influence, to persuade? In regards to faith it is the words of Jesus that author and perfect faith. What work must I do to believe if Jesus is the author of faith? True faith is given in measure and increases to maturity, to those who have, more is given. That which is freely given is without cost, we can not earn it like a wage therefore we can not boast in ourselves, but in the law of faith, which states we are justified freely apart from works.
the kingdom of heaven is like yeast which a woman took and put into three measures of flour until it was leavened.*
This parable along with the parable of sowing, talents, and mustard seed, relate to the kingdom of God telling us how faith increases in measure. What does it matter if you gain the whole world, using these parables in ways to prosper earthly but do not increase in faith? True faith increases in measure, therefore true faith has works. John writes there are growth levels of child, young person, and mature. There are seasons where the weeds are not known from the true seed. How can you judge a child by fruit? The concept of bearing fruit or works is that of preparation, God is the porter, you are the clay, He is molding you into a vessel, preparing you beforehand to do good works. Of course we see Jesus point out how the Pharisees clean the outside while the inside was dirty, and said they did good works for people to see, for the glory of men. John writes if God's seed is in me I will not continue in sin thus purity, holiness, godliness is a work or fruit of those born of God. If the seed of God is planted in you then you will grow up to bear fruit of good works, but what works are these? True works are fruit of maturity and the Spirit. Maturity is associated with being like Jesus in holy character, pure, this is the purpose of godly discipline. If we do things for people to see then that is our reward. Our reward should be focused on laying up treasures in heaven where gold is of no value and moth and rust do not destroy.
any profit my brothers if someone says he has faith, now, having no works? Power of faith saving him?*
Is James writing that we are saved by works? By no means, he is saying that true faith has works. What works does James associate with faith? loving my brother, if I see him in need and turn my heart from him, do I have true faith? if faith without love is nothing as Paul writes, then no. We see this lack of faith and love often, it will help strangers in the name of Jesus but not the brother right next to them who loses his job or business. Jesus said what you do to to the least of these His brethren you do unto Him. Lack of agape love towards a brother is a telling sign of works justification, of seeking the glory of men. Does faith have power to save alone? Does works have power to save alone? No, the power is of God, believing is the work of God, the Spirit must draw, grant one to come to Christ and all those taught by the Father will come to Jesus. Such understanding changes our perspective, even on evangelism.
Now, the ones (sown) in good soil, these exist those hearing (the word) in a fertile and good heart, holding on to the word (understanding) also (who now) bear fruit in endurance (also producing some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty).*(*)
fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, both placing, placing both in the dominion of God.*
Justified by faith we have peace before God, and stand in grace which we have access to by faith. We were brought near to God through the blood of Jesus.* We received the gift of abundant grace and the gift of righteousness through Christ.* Through the death of Jesus we were reconciled, so we can draw near to God.* From the riches of His grace we received spiritual blessings of adoption, redemption, the forgiveness of sin.* Having been adopted through the Spirit, redeemed and forgiven through the blood of Jesus, we have boldness to approach the throne of grace. This grace of God reigns through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus.* Under the Old, maturity and life was not achieved, if it had Christ would not have needed to come. The Old was a shadow of things to come, of Christ in whom we bear fruit of the kingdom of God.so also the one Christ, who offered once and for all to bear the sins of many, appears in time to those awaiting him, without reference to sin but unto salvation.*
God demonstrates his love in that while we were dead in tresspasses and sin God sent not his Son to condemn the world but to save it.* And He is coming again not in reference to sin but salvation. To save us from evil and from this flesh, to give us a glorified body. Yes, there will be a day of wrath and judgement for those who do not believe, they are condemned already. By faith when we believe we receive what Christ has, what Christ has worked in the flesh on our behalf. Jesus took our place before a righteous judge and he took on our sin on a cross so that we are not judged for it. The concept of propitiation is also that Jesus appeased God's anger and wrath. The Law came through Moses, it had wrath, judging and condemning, grace and truth came in Jesus Christ, but much more, justification, righteousness, and sanctification,* A person who justifies himself by works of the Law also goes back to the Law, falling from grace. These create a god in the image like that in the Old Testament. Like the church of Galatia.
you severed yourself from Christ's justification, justified in the Law, fallen from grace.*
We know that justification is in Christ alone. Salvation requires this. At the core of justification is that it is in Christ, which is by grace through redemption and through his blood. The law of faith states it is freely given apart from works of the law. So what work must I do to obtain justification? To work is to earn a wage, and if I earn something then I can boast in my achievement. But the whole point is we all fell short of the glory of God and while we were dead in trespasses and sin Christ died for the ungodly. By grace states we can not boast about it, we did not do any work to earn it. So we hold that we are justified by faith according to grace, not of works, but justified through his blood, and by grace through redemption. Faith without works is dead James argues but justification is by faith according to grace, no one will be justified before God by works. Through the work of Christ we receive justification through faith, receiving the gift of righteousness, not from our works. True faith increases in measure bearing fruit, the works of faith, fruit of righteousness. Paul writes we will rule over sin not under the Law but under grace. How will we rule over sin? we have something those under the Law did not have, grace and power.
by grace existing saved through faith and this is not from yourself, the gift of God, not of works so that no one boasts.*
Some people believe that salvation can be lost. Though I believe many people will think they are saved by justifying themselves in works, I believe redemption, the forgiveness of sin and adoption is eternal. Predestination, some call it foreknowledge, says that God foresees thus because God forsees he would not have chosen me to begin with. Also Jesus said the Spirit must grant it and that anyone who eats of living bread will have eternal life. So for me to loose my salvation I would have to redo what I received freely, that in His blood. I would have to redo redemption, forgiveness of my sin and God would have to remove His Spirit from me thus redo the blessing of adoption, redemption and forgiveness. But these blessings Paul writes comes from the riches of His grace, so like the question of what good works justifies me, like as, what bad works un-justifies me? What work did I do to receive justification? what work did I do to receive eternal life? What work would I have to do to loose it? The gift we receive in Jesus Christ, that of righteousness encompasses eternal life, and justification. What work did I do to receive this gift? Can I say that salvation doesn't require redemption, forgiveness thus doesn't require justification? And how was justification given to me but through His blood? what did I do to earn such? Salvation is not from myself, lest I boast about it.
where then is the boasting? excluded through what law? of works? By no means, but through the law of faith, for we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.*
What does the law of faith say, that by faith alone we are saved? Or is it that we are justified by faith apart from works of the Law? That a righteousness is revealed apart from works of the Law. The latter is a better translation of the Greek. So we conclude by the law of faith (whereby we do not do away with the Mosaic Law without another law in its place, and this dispensation of grace states the law of faith doesn't nullify God's requirement for holiness) that we are released from the Old covenant, the Law. No one will be justified in the eyes of God by works of the Law. So it is true that it is by faith alone in comparison to works of the Law. I will not be justified by following the ten commandments. The promise of inheritance was given to Abraham by faith according to grace before the Mosaic Law. When I believe in Jesus, I receive justification according to grace, not works, through redemption, and forgiveness through his blood, thus I receive freely justification and righteousness. Now, we also conclude consecration, holiness, godliness are different things. In this the concept of growth comes into view. I am given the gift of righteousness, this seed of God in me will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. Therefore true faith increases in measure, it grows producing fruit of good works. This growth into maturity is what bears fruit, this is the concept that I am his workmanship prepared beforehand to walk in good works.
for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, whom God prepared beforehand, so that we walk together.*
The person who justifies himself by works often quotes this verse to justify his works justified mindset. What does it mean we are created in Christ Jesus for good works? The concept is that of growth, that the mature, the holy, the saints have grown up to bear fruit. What kind of plant bears fruit? A mature plant. So what works according to the scriptures must I do to grow up and bear fruit? Jesus said to bear fruit one must abide in Him, the Vine. This concept of abiding also is of remaining, if we go out on our own we are no longer connected to the Vine, we no longer remain and endure in the Vine but we have fallen off like dead branches destined to be gathered and burned. The principles of and the process of growth we see in the parable of sowing.* The seed of God is planted within me, I grow deep roots, then grow upward enduring the weeds to maturity bearing fruit of righteousness, of the Spirit of life. This is the concept of walking about as Jesus did, in truth, in maturity, in that I bear fruit and resemble Him in image and character. Those trying to resemble Jesus through works, who justify their existence by their works, miss the whole point.
abide in me, as I in you. just as a branch has no power to bear fruit by itself; unless abiding in the vine, so neither can you unless abiding me.*
The Law had no power to mature men to bear fruit. Jesus warned us about the danger of focusing on works and not growth; many will justify themselves by works, doing mighty works in His name without knowing Him. Paul writes we grow up in knowledge of the Son, so those who do not know Him, the seed of God is not planted in them and they can never bear fruit of God. Therefore their good works are like offering up sacrifices of dung, filthy rags to God. It is not that we do not do good works, but that good works is fruit of our maturity. Or said another way to help us understand, the natural outcome of maturity is bearing fruit thus if we focus on growth people will by their new nature grow up to bear fruit. Bearing fruit is the outcome of true faith. True godly discipline is that we share in His character, not that we prosper in this world. True faith increases in measure, therefore if we never increase then it was never true. Fruit comes after we are rooted and grounded in the true blessings of God, like redemption, forgiveness which come through his blood. There is nothing we can do to earn these but we must work for that which endures unto life.
Work not for food that perishes but for food that abides unto eternal life which the Son of Man will give you...*
We see people followed Jesus having a works justified mindset, Jesus said they followed him for the wrong reason, for earthly food and they must work for food that endures unto Life. The people then asked what work must we do for this food? What work must one do to receive food that endures unto eternal Life? If I tithe ten percent of everything can I have it? if I give all I have to help orphans and widows do I possess it? what work must I do to receive eternal life? Jesus said, "this is the work of God, that you believe in whom he sent."* The work God desires is that you believe. The food that they must work for is the words of Jesus that bring about believing and life, Peter understood, confessing the words of Jesus exist eternal life. Jesus said it was the Spirit that revealed such to him, as the Father must grant one to come to Him. What work can I do to come to Jesus? I must work for food that endures unto life, and the Father must chose me, so what work must I do?
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price!*
How can I work and buy food that endures unto life? What work must I do to believe and receive eternal life? Jesus said I must work for and eat food that endures unto life. The food is living bread that came down from heaven, the Word of God that became flesh, so I must eat and feed upon this food. What work must I do? The concept of receiving is that of buying, not like working for a wage and buying earthly food but buying food without cost, that has no price, freely given. Jesus said one must behold him, consider His words in which we see faith has the root meaning to be persuaded. And is not that the definition of true leadership, to influence, to persuade? In regards to faith it is the words of Jesus that author and perfect faith. What work must I do to believe if Jesus is the author of faith? True faith is given in measure and increases to maturity, to those who have, more is given. That which is freely given is without cost, we can not earn it like a wage therefore we can not boast in ourselves, but in the law of faith, which states we are justified freely apart from works.
the kingdom of heaven is like yeast which a woman took and put into three measures of flour until it was leavened.*
This parable along with the parable of sowing, talents, and mustard seed, relate to the kingdom of God telling us how faith increases in measure. What does it matter if you gain the whole world, using these parables in ways to prosper earthly but do not increase in faith? True faith increases in measure, therefore true faith has works. John writes there are growth levels of child, young person, and mature. There are seasons where the weeds are not known from the true seed. How can you judge a child by fruit? The concept of bearing fruit or works is that of preparation, God is the porter, you are the clay, He is molding you into a vessel, preparing you beforehand to do good works. Of course we see Jesus point out how the Pharisees clean the outside while the inside was dirty, and said they did good works for people to see, for the glory of men. John writes if God's seed is in me I will not continue in sin thus purity, holiness, godliness is a work or fruit of those born of God. If the seed of God is planted in you then you will grow up to bear fruit of good works, but what works are these? True works are fruit of maturity and the Spirit. Maturity is associated with being like Jesus in holy character, pure, this is the purpose of godly discipline. If we do things for people to see then that is our reward. Our reward should be focused on laying up treasures in heaven where gold is of no value and moth and rust do not destroy.
any profit my brothers if someone says he has faith, now, having no works? Power of faith saving him?*
Is James writing that we are saved by works? By no means, he is saying that true faith has works. What works does James associate with faith? loving my brother, if I see him in need and turn my heart from him, do I have true faith? if faith without love is nothing as Paul writes, then no. We see this lack of faith and love often, it will help strangers in the name of Jesus but not the brother right next to them who loses his job or business. Jesus said what you do to to the least of these His brethren you do unto Him. Lack of agape love towards a brother is a telling sign of works justification, of seeking the glory of men. Does faith have power to save alone? Does works have power to save alone? No, the power is of God, believing is the work of God, the Spirit must draw, grant one to come to Christ and all those taught by the Father will come to Jesus. Such understanding changes our perspective, even on evangelism.
God purposed in Christ, his blood upon the mercy seat, removing the veil, thus He entered into the Holy Place through His blood and through the Eternal Spirit. It was not the offering and sacrifice God desired, but a body prepared to do His will. Jesus became a man, living in sinful flesh, receiving power as a sign unto us and He consecrated himself in truth therefore he was a sacrifice acceptable to God. He purified the body of sin. condemning sin in the flesh and giving us the ability to enter the kingdom of God, through the Spirit. So we have such testimony water, blood, and Spirit. And we separate our salvation into that of the Spirit, soul, and body. And we distinguish between righteousness and holiness. The seed of righteousness is planted within me and this seed will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. The kingdom of God is like the parable of sowing, the seed is sown, grows deep roots (child), then the seedling sprouts enduring the weeds (young person), then the fruit bearing plant (mature). Who bears fruit of good works? the mature. What fruit does a child bear? John writes he knows the Father and that his sins are forgiven. Good works in the kingdom of God are related to growth.
Now, the ones (sown) in good soil, these exist those hearing (the word) in a fertile and good heart, holding on to the word (understanding) also (who now) bear fruit in endurance (also producing some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty).*(*)
This is the good work of the kingdom of God, that we bear fruit of maturity, some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. What fruit do we bear? Deeply rooted in faith and love, we grow up in truth in love into the image of Christ, thus the fruit they bear, truth in love, is holiness, purity, sharing in the character of Jesus. "truth in love we grow up into him who exist the head, Christ."* We grow up into the head, which refers to the parable of sowing; the kingdom of God is a like a sower who scatters seed on the ground and the seed sprouts and grows though he knows not how, the soil produces a crop of its own accord, first the growing grain, the head of grain, then the full grain.* Jesus is the head we grow up into, you can not bear fruit without abiding in Him. James writes helping orphans and widows and being pure is pure religion. Religion that helps orphans without purity is not pure, in other words it is just good works, not true fruit of a workman prepared beforehand by God to do good works.
Upcoming we will see there is a power in Christ in which we overcome through faith. For now it is important we understand in regards to justification it is in Christ alone. Justification is in His blood, and by grace through redemption. By grace through faith we are saved, given freely the gift of abundant grace and righteousness, not of works lest we boast we earned it. Jesus is the author of faith and believing is the work of God, so I can not believe without Jesus and the Spirit drawing me, without the Father granting it. I must work for food that endures unto life, not like working for food that perishes, but I must buy without money and eat living bread. We also see the kingdom of God is about growth, that true faith bears fruit, or as James writes faith without works is dead. In the kingdom of God a plant that abides in the Vine will mature and bear fruit. Jesus said to those who claim to be mature, judge them by their fruit. An apple tree bears apples. It is truth that if God's seed abides in me (in Spirit and righteousness and divine nature) then I will grow up to bear fruit of the Spirit and righteousness. And growth is the process to wholeness and abundant life. In this we see if we are chosen, adopted into the kingdom we are called to holiness, as unrighteousness doesn't exist there. Also we distinguish the gift of righteousness from fruit of righteousness, and children from the saints. A child knows the Father and that his sins are forgiven, the mature have grown up in the head Christ, bearing fruit of the kingdom of God, some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty, sharing in His holy character.
In Christ Alone
In Christ Alone