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          Saved By Faith Alone

 Paul argues being saved by grace through faith in the book of Galatians. They had started out well according to the grace of God in Christ through faith alone, but had been subverted by who the Bible refers to as the Judaizers. The Judaizers were saying the Cross of Christ was not enough but that you had to add to it the Law of Mosses. We began in faith and we must end our race with faith and devotion to Christ, trusting Him as our only means of salvation and standing before God. Paul deemed it the word of faith and the law of faith Rom 3:27 and 10:8, anything else is departing from the faith and truth of the Gospel of the NT or Covenant. Paul termed it another Gospel Gal 1:6.

 We are saved by faith alone that God alone would be worshiped. We can easily worship religion, works, achievements and even good rules and regulations. But God Himself must be worshiped in truth and in Spirit. Its through faith we receive the blessings and promises of God not by the Law which is also a form of legalism, and self effort! We are saved by faith alone because salvation is in Christ alone as Paul said I'll know nothing but Christ and Him crucified and that we stand by grace through faith Rom 5:1-2. Jesus is the person of whom we trust, follow, worship and love and the Father will honor those who honor the Son.

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1. The Law's Purpose (Gal 3:10-12)-The Law was given to Israel so they would feel there need of true life (Matt 19:16). We see this in the rich young ruler. Who asked Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life. Not only was he rich and had everything he could possibly want he had God's law and tried to keep it all his life, yet he was not satisfied. After Jesus quoted from the Law a few of the 10 commandments he said all these things have I done from my youth what lack I. Being a Jew and knowing the Law it had done its work. What lack I was his response. The sad thing is he overlooked the last of the 10 commandments thou shalt not covet. Spurgeon said it right when he likened the Law to a stick that stirs up the water in the bottom of a pond so we can see all the muck and mire. Faith is a moral choice when the rich young ruler went away sad not willing to sell all and follow Jesus he made a moral choice. Faith is an act of the will not of the intellect or emotions. This matter of faith is of utmost importance for without it we cannot approach God or please God. I like what A. W. Tozer said about faith, that God will have nothing to do with anyone outside of it.

Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. He was justified by faith alone is Paul's argument. Justification by faith was seen long before the Law or the Gospel came.

(Gal 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

(Rom 4:14) For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: The law doesn't hinder faith it makes it void. Without faith we are going about to establish our own righteousness and we reject the righteousness of God through faith. Without faith we also make void all the promises of God. The Galatians received the grace of God, the Spirit, and  miracles all through faith not the Law.

(Gal 3:12) the law is not of faith - The Law is not a matter of faith; it does not relate to faith; it does not require faith; it deals in other matters, and it pertains to another system than to faith. Albert Barns Notes on the Bible        Back to the Top

2.The Benefits of Faith - (Galatians 4:1-7). Here Paul deals with the truth that through faith we are now sons and no longer under the tutoring of the law that spoke of Christ to come. Those who receive Christ have received power to become the sons of God. John also told us the wonderful truth of how that now we are the sons of God and it dose not yet appear what we shall be.

Paul states that the Jews were, like little children, in bondage to “the elements of the world” (Gal 4:3).This word elements means the basic principles, the ABCs. For some fifteen centuries, Israel had been in kinder garden or grade school, learning their “spiritual ABCs,” so that they would be ready when Christ would come. Then they would get the full revelation, for Jesus Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 22:13); He encompasses all the alphabet of God’s revelation to man. He is God’s last Word (Heb. 1:1-3).

The Law was not God’s final revelation; it was but the preparation for that final revelation in Christ. It is important that a person know his ABCs, because they are the foundation for understanding all of the language. But the man who sits in a library and recites the ABCs instead of reading the great literature that is around him, is showing that he is immature and ignorant, not mature and wise. Under the Law, the Jews were children in bondage, not sons enjoying liberty. (Warren Wiersbe)

Now that faith has come we are no longer under the Law, but under the grace of God through faith. For Christ has redeemed us from the Law that we may receive the adoption as sons by giving us His Spirit (Gal 4:3-6). The word sons in (Gal 4:5,6) means adult sons, and in Gal 3:26 the word children should have been translated sons also, as in full possession of rights. In the day's Paul wrote to the Galatians they fully understood what Paul was saying. In that day the Romans had schoolmasters or guardians, tutors or governors that would take there children to school, help bring them up and even discipline them (Gal 4:1-3). Representing what the Law was to the Israelites. Now that Christ has come we are no longer under the schoolmaster or tutor, now we can receive our inheritance as adult sons, not through the Law (Gal 3:24-29), but through Christ and sincere faith in Him (Gal 4:4-7). The question then arises are we drawing on are inheritance in Christ through faith. For if we are walking in the faith once given to the saints then we are Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:29). For we are no more a servant under the Law, but a son under grace and faith in Christ, a full heir of God through Christ (Gal 4:7). Through faith alone we are in the position to receive our inheritance.

The Galatians were observing certain days and years and some had already been circumcised. Paul went as far as to say that those who were circumcised  were debtors to do the whole Law and that Christ had become of no effect to them for they had fallen from grace (Gal 5:2-4). Nothing can be added to the Cross, its complete and finished work must be believed and acted upon through faith alone.

Paul said cast out this doctrine of works (Gal 4:30), law and grace can never unite. Legalism is not the means of justification or sanctification, but its by the grace of God that we stand through faith (Rom 5:1,2 ). The essence of Paul's message to the Galatians is this, the efforts of the flesh can never do what the Spirit can when yielded to Him. Bondage begets more bondage. Whom the Son sets free they are free indeed, but the servant does not nor cannot abide in the house (John 8:34-36).Paul said do you not here the Law, and proceeded to meet this error on the very grounds the Judaizers were standing.          Back to the Top

3. Explaining Paul's Allegory on Faith Read- (Gal 4:19-31)

In verse 19 Paul appeals to them as a father to his children in travail until Christ be formed in them. Which is very important to notice because this is the very hope and faith once given to the saints (Jude 1:3). Christ the hope of glory in us (Col 1:27). Also in His appeal we can see the direction they were heading, backward not forward in this hope to be conformed to the image of Christ. The works of the Law is not of faith nor grace but is an attempt to earn Gods favor by our own righteousness. An attempt in the energy of the flesh and not the Spirit is legalism. Christianity is a relationship with the Lord not rules, and regulations as good as some may be. We started out in faith and we must also end our race through faith. Paul wrote in Hebrews speaking of the great sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross saying how much more shall the Blood of Christ purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God in contrast to the blood of bulls and goats offered through the Law.

The Spirit of God is our only hope in being conformed to the image of Christ not the dead works of the flesh or the Law (Heb 9:13-15). The flesh prophets nothing and we can not do one good deed without Jesus. The strict teaching of the NT is exactly this, Jesus said you can do nothing without Me nothing at all, not even one good deed (John 15:5). Our fruit is from Jesus not ourselves! In Gal 3:1 Paul sets forth the truth how Jesus had been preached and taught and the Gospel fully declared among them which was his crucifixion and death for there sakes.

75—Abraham is called by God to go to Canaan; and God promises him many descendants (Gen. 12:1-9). Both Abraham and his wife, Sarah, wanted children, but Sarah was barren. God was waiting until both of them were “as good as dead” before He would perform the miracle of sending them a son (Rom_4:16-25).

85—The promised son has not yet arrived, and Sarah becomes impatient. She suggests that Abraham marry Hagar, her maid, and try to have a son by her. This act was legal in that society, but it was not in the will of God. Abraham followed her suggestion and married Hagar (Gen. 16:1-3).

86—Hagar gets pregnant and Sarah gets jealous! Things are so difficult in the home that Sarah throws Hagar out. But the Lord intervenes, sends Hagar back, and promises to take care of her and her son. When Abraham is 86, the son is born, and he calls him Ishmael (Gen. 16:4-16).

99—God speaks to Abraham and promises again that he will have a son by Sarah and says to call his name Isaac. Later, God appears again and reaffirms the promise to Sarah as well (see Gen. 17-18).

100—The son is born (Gen. 21:1-7). They name him Isaac (“laughter”) as commanded by God. But the arrival of Isaac creates a new problem in the home: Ishmael has a rival. For fourteen years, Ishmael has been his father’s only son, very dear to his heart. How will Ishmael respond to the presence of a rival?

103—It was customary for the Jews to wean their children at about the age of three, and to make a great occasion of it. At the feast, Ishmael starts to mock Isaac (Gen_21:8) and to create trouble in the home. There is only one solution to the problem, and a costly one at that: Hagar and her son have to go. With a broken heart, Abraham sends his son away, because this is what the Lord tells him to do (Gen. 21:9-14). (Warren Wiersbe)

We see here two covenants one from Mt. Sinai where the Law was given to Israel which speaks of Hagar and her children who are still in bondage, and Sara the mother of Isaac and us speaking of heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:18-23). Abraham not only lived before the Law was given, but also the promise given him of a son was through faith. Isaac came into the world through Abraham (who represents faith, Gal. 3:9) and Sarah (who represents grace); so that he was born “by grace … through faith” as is every true Christian (Eph_2:8-9).

As far as God’s dealings with men are concerned, God began with grace. In Eden, God provided for Adam and Eve by grace. Even after they sinned, in His grace He provided them with coats of skins for a covering (Gen. 3:21). He did not give them laws to obey as a way of redemption; instead, He gave them a gracious promise to believe: the promise of a victorious Redeemer (Gen. 3:15).(Warren Wiersbe)

In His relationship with Israel also, God first operated on the basis of grace, not Law. His covenant with Abraham (Gen_15:1) was all of grace, because Abraham was in a deep sleep when the covenant was established. When God delivered Israel from Egypt, it was on the basis of grace and not Law, for the Law had not yet been given. (Warren Wiersbe) We need to understand that Abrahams descendants Israel at Mount Sinai put themselves under the Law, although Gods everlasting covenant had already been made through Abraham by grace through faith alone. The law was given as already said to point to Jesus our salvation whom the Jews are still rejecting, and consequently still under the law.

Abraham’s marriage to Hagar was out of the will of God; it was the result of Sarah’s and Abraham’s unbelief and impatience. Hagar was trying to do what only Sarah could do, and it failed. (Warren Wiersbe)

Ishmael was “a wild man” (Gen_16:12), and even though he was a slave, nobody could control him, including his mother. Like Ishmael, the old nature (the flesh) is at war with God, and the Law cannot change or control it. The law can only restrain temporarily. Sin will manifest its self in some way shape form or fashion. The flesh must be crucified  and the Spirit reign in our lives, else there will always be a wild man in our heart. By nature, the Spirit and the flesh are “contrary the one to the other” (Gal. 5:17), and no amount of religious activity is going to change the picture. Whoever chooses Hagar (Law) or legalism for his mother is going to experience bondage (Gal. 4:8-11, 22-25, 30-31; 5:1).

It was Sarah who gave the order: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son” (Gen. 21:9-10), and God subsequently approved it (Gen. 21:12). Ishmael had been in the home for at least seventeen years, but his stay was not to be permanent; eventually he had to be cast out. There was not room in the household for Hagar and Ishmael with Sarah and Isaac; one pair had to go. (Warren Wiersbe)

It is impossible for Law and grace, the flesh and the Spirit, to compromise and stay together. God did not ask Hagar and Ishmael to make occasional visits to the home; the break was permanent. The Judaizers in Paul’s day—and in our own day—are trying to reconcile Sarah and Hagar, and Isaac and Ishmael; such reconciliation is contrary to the Word of God. It is impossible to mix Law and grace, faith and works, God’s gift of righteousness and man’s attempts to earn righteousness. (Warren Wiersbe)

Sarah had been barren, and she tried to become fruitful by having Abraham marry Hagar. This failed and brought only trouble. The Law cannot give life or fruitfulness; legalism is barren. For the early church to go back into bondage would mean barrenness and disobedience to the Word of God. But it held fast to grace, and the church spread across the world in fruitfulness. The Judaizers were leading them into bondage. Circumcision and other requirements of the Mosaic Law may no longer be issues pertaining to salvation, but often times the observance of certain rules, regulations or religious rites is made a condition with faith in Christ as needed for Christian maturity. The Apostles main emphasis is on the crucifixion of Christ as the basis for the believers deliverance from the curse of sin (Gal 1:4 and 6:14).

Though we ought to have standards God is against worshiping those standards, and thinking we are spiritual because we obey them. Standards are not proof of spirituality. The Christian who claims to be spiritual because of what he doesn’t do is only fooling himself.  The Judaizers had high standards and were effective in making converts and liked to advertise their accomplishments (Gal. 4:17-18; 6:12-14). They had rules and standards to cover every area of life, making it easy for their followers to know who was “spiritual” and who was not. Judging other believers by an outward appearance.

Paul speaking to the Galatians and to the Corinthians said -We are not without Law, but under the Law of Christ, (Gal 6:2 and 1 Cor 9:21). James speaks of being a doer of the perfect the Law of liberty (James 1:25). He is speaking of the spiritual side of the Law not the letter or legalism. Love restrains and compels (2 Cor 5:14). James also tells us faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Its a true saying we are saved by faith alone, but faith is not alone.

 Jesus is our life and standard, if we are following Him it will make a difference in the way we live. I'm glad for the godly leadership and examples God has put in my life, but when it comes to serving God we must make decisions of our own. Let your convictions come by the Holy Ghost through prayer and seeking God for yourself. Bondage can take form in many ways. Serve God from your heart in truth and according to His Word. Serve Him out of thankfulness and grace that comes only through Jesus who loved you and died for you. We are to worship and serve Him in the Spirit with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, free from the power of sin, the devil, and the world. Jesus paid a high price to deliver us from the Law giving us liberty in Him (Gal 5:1, 13 by the Spirit 2 Cor 3:17). Paul does not mean freedom or liberty to live and do what we want, but what we should (Rom 6:18-23). Its a freedom to serve God (1 Thess 1:9) and others (1 Cor 9:19). We are now Christ's slaves (Rom 1:, 1 Cor 7:22, Phil 1:1), living by the grace of God (Rom 5:21, 6:10-13). Let the Spirit of God control your life that you may be all you aught to be in Him.

4. Perfect Faith or Demonic James 2: 21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

The Bible speaks of perfect faith but also great faith and little faith! Abraham is our example of saving faith, and in his life he reflected, great faith, little, and perfect faith. Perfect faith is seen in Abrahams life in Gen 22 as God tested him for obedience. But did you know the Bible also speaks of demonic faith.

Demonic Faith (James 2:18-19)

James wanted to shock his complacent readers, so he used demons as his illustration. In recent years the church has rediscovered the reality and activity of demons. When our Lord was ministering on earth, He often cast out demons; and He gave that power to His disciples. It comes as a shock to people that demons have faith! What do they believe? For one thing, they believe in the existence of God; they are not atheists. They also believe in the deity of Christ. Whenever they met Christ when He was on earth, they bore witness to His sonship (Mark 3:11-12). They believe in the existence of a place of punishment (Luke 8:31); and they also recognize Jesus Christ as the Judge (Mark 5:1-13). They submit to the power of His Word.

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord!” (Deut. 6:4) This was the daily affirmation of faith of the godly Jew. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19, niv). The man with dead faith was touched only in his intellect; but the demons are touched also in their emotions. They believe and tremble. But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble. A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred in his heart and be lost forever. True saving faith involves something more, something that can be seen and recognized: a changed life. “Show me thy faith without thy works,” challenged James, “and I will show thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Can a dead sinner perform good works? Impossible! When you trust Christ, you are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for Christ; you receive the life, then you reveal the life. Faith that is barren is not saving faith. The Greek word translated “dead” in James 2:20 carries the meaning of “barren or idle,” like money drawing no interest.

James has introduced us to two kinds of faith that can never save the sinner: dead faith (the intellect alone), and demonic faith (the intellect and the emotions).

                                                                                               Now Saving Faith James 2:20-26

Saving faith is based on the Word of God. We receive our spiritual rebirth through God’s Word (James 1:18).

We receive the Word and this saves us (James 1:21). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). James used Abraham and Rahab as illustrations of saving faith, since both of them heard and received the message of God through His Word.

Faith is only as good as its object. The man in the jungle bows before an idol of stone and trusts it to help him, but he receives no help. No matter how much faith a person may generate, if it is not directed at the right object, it will accomplish nothing.

 “I believe” may be the testimony of many sincere people, but the big question is, “In whom do you believe? What do you believe?” We are not saved by faith in faith; we are saved by faith in Christ as revealed in His Word.

Saving faith is based on God’s Word, and it involves the whole man. Dead faith touches only the intellect; demonic faith involves both the mind and the emotions; but saving faith involves the will. The whole person plays a part in true saving faith. The mind understands the truth; the heart desires the truth; and the will acts upon the truth. The men and women of faith named in Hebrews 11 were people of action: God spoke and they obeyed. Abraham showed his faith, to be perfect. When he offered up Isaac, figuratively in Genesis chapter 22. He is the father of our faith!

True saving faith leads to action. Saving faith is not intellectual contemplation or emotional consternation; it leads to obedience on the part of the will. And this obedience is not an isolated event: it continues throughout the whole life. It leads to works.

Many different kinds of works are named in the New Testament. “The works of the Law” (Gal. 2:16) relate to the sinner’s attempt to please God by obeying the Law of Moses. Of course, it is impossible for a sinner to be saved through the works of the Law. “The works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19) are done by unsaved people who live for the things of the old nature. There are also “wicked works” (Col. 1:21) and “dead works” (Heb. 9:14). Where there is —saving faith—you will always find good works.

James then illustrated his doctrine in the lives of two well-known Bible persons: Abraham and Rahab. You could not find two more different persons! Abraham was a Jew; Rahab was a Gentile. Abraham was a godly man, but Rahab was a sinful woman, a harlot. Abraham was the friend of God, while Rahab belonged to the enemies of God. What did they have in common? Both exercised saving faith in God.

You will want to read Genesis 15 and 22 to get the background facts for this illustration. God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees to lead him into Canaan and to make out of him the great nation of Israel. It was through Israel that God would bring the Saviour into the world. Abraham’s salvation experience is recorded in Genesis 15. At night, God showed His servant the stars and gave him a promise, “So shall thy seed [descendants] be!” How did Abraham respond? “And he believed in the Lord, and He [the Lord] counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:5-6). Also as above quaoted Eph 2:8-10 speaks of the gift of God through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast, but then he goes on and speaks of good works, which God has prepared for us to walk in them.  Good works is the work of the Spirit in our lives as we work out our salvation in fear and trembling. How was Abraham “justified by works” (James 2:21) when he had already been “justified by faith”? (see Rom. 4) when God looked down and saw Abraham working.  It was what prompted his works that delighted God, because it was faith in God, and His promises. Without faith, we cannot please God, and he will have nothing to do with us. We must believe that God is, and a reward or a them who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6)

The Lord Bless you.

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