February 17

TOPIC: WORK AND FAITH BALANCED IN SAINTLY LIVING

TEXT Romans 4, 5 & 6

KEY TEXT: Romans 6:1-2  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

DISCUSSION: the text we are reading opens up with the example of Abraham who obtained the Grace of God through faith for a  pleasing walk with God, how not by works he obtained,  but rather by faith,  I will like to quickly clarify that the works refers to the "circumcision" and other traditions,  and not the works of righteousness which Apostle James was writing about in James chapter 2.

Also we need to understand that we are not saved by our Work (whether of righteousness{for it is filthy rag} or of Faith Isaiah 64:6) but by the the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ,  whose blood was shed for the remission of the sin of the world John 3:16, however,  we are saved to do the works of righteousness before God, that is, the result of our salvation is a holy and righteous life, Romans 6:4,22; 2 Corinthians 5:17,

The saintly life,  is not Attained,  it is obtained  when we come to Christ, and having obtained it we are to sustain it tag through faith in Christ Jesus. When we are repented of our sin,  and believe on Jesus Christ,  we are saved and Justified, and no matter how sinful,  anyone has been,  once he comes to Christ he receives grace and the scriptures says in our text in Romans 5:20 "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" so no matter  how sinful,  you have been,  no matter the sin you have committed,  when you come to Jesus  Christ with faith you are justified,  declared sinless and holy. Ephesians 2:8-9  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.

Having obtained the Grace  for saintly life,  this is what produce in us Good works,  righteousness and a blameless life, however, we are not to be stagnant,  but we are to Grow in Grace,  2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. And as we grow in  grace the Works that results  from our growth  increases more and more.

At every point of our Christian life we need faith for us to please God we need faith see Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
To be saved we need faith,  to live the Christian life we need faith, to live without sin we need faith, to receive from God we need faith, Hebrew 11 gives a catalog of exploit by men of faith, and to do great work in this dispensation too we need faith.

CHALLENGE: We are saved by grace through faith,  not of works,  but for Works.
PRAYER: Increase my Faith that I might Grow in Grace, and that my works may be well pleasing to you oh Lord