Works of faith, the law and righteousness
# 303 All acts of obedience are works. Why is this so hard for you to comprehend. Obedience to the law was called works of the law. Obedience to Gods commands are called works of righteousness. Baptism is a work. And if we are being baptised as a means of being saved or as part of the salvation process. it is not only a work of righteousness, But it is a work one does to earn the WAGE.
This statement, “Obedience to Gods commands are called works of righteousness,” is in my opinion blatantly false. Yes, baptism is a work, but it is a work of faith and hence a work of God; it is not a work of righteous. The commands of God can be perverted, however, if the doer believes he can be righteous before God based on his performance.
A work is simply and act or a deed and is not inherently bad of itself, thus we have works of God, works of Christ and works of faith.
A work of faith:
(1) A deed or act that proceeds from faith in God; baptism in the name of Christ is an example of a work that proceeds from faith in God. (Acts 8: 36- 38) Baptism is a work of faith; hence a work of God. (1 Cor. 1: 30) We are created in Christ for good works. (Eph. 2: 10)
(2) faith when mingled with love of God or Christ results in obedience; “If you love me you will keep My commandments.” (John 14: 15)
(3) Hope in Christ allows us to persevere, continue in obedience, doing good works, resulting in glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. (Rom. 2: 7, 8)
(4) The purpose of a work of faith is not to be righteous in and by ourselves, by our efforts, but to perfect or complete our faith even as Abraham perfected his faith in God. (Gen 22: 12, 18; James 2: 20- 24) “you see that faith was working with his works (of faith), and as a result of works, faith was perfected.” Saving, justifying faith, obeys. (Heb. 11: 17)
Work of the law:
(1) A deed or act prescribed by the law.
(2) the law is not of faith. (Gal.3: 12)
(3) the law is based on the concept of receiving life based on performance. (Gal. 3: 12)
(4) The law has a curse of requiring total and complete obedience. (Gal 3: 13)
Work of righteousness
(1) [SUP]5 [/SUP]He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3: 5)
(2) This verse tells us that we are not saved by works of righteous, works performed to be righteous before God, a wage; but we are saved by the washing (baptism) that accompanies regeneration and we are saved by renewal by the Holy Spirit.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, (Heb. 5: 9)
God bless.