Mr Bombastic

by Michael J. Kruger

I have been teaching a weekly Bible study on the book of Romans to women in the Charlotte community. For the last several months, we have been plodding our way through the first three chapters as Paul has laid out his case that all mankind—Jew and Gentile—are sinful and rightly under the judgment of God. Paul finishes this section of his letter with this monumental statement: “For by works of the Law no human being will be justified in his sight” (Rom 3:20).

You can almost hear the gavel fall with a boom.

Thankfully, Paul does not end his letter here. This morning, in the last installment of the women’s study for the Fall term (we will resume in the new year), we will move onto to 3:21 and following. There Paul utters two of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture, “But now….” These two little words provide a great sigh of relief for any sin-wracked soul wondering about his fate.

“But now” tells us that something has been done to solve the problem of our sins.

What is it that solves the problem of our sins? “A righteousness of (from) God has been manifested apart from the law… through faith in Jesus Christ” (3:21–22). Luther referred to these verses as “the center of the whole Bible.” Martin Lloyd Jones called it “the most important and crucial passage in the whole of Scripture.” Leon Morris said it is “possibly the most important single paragraph ever written.”

This passage is the basis for the great Reformation doctrine of sola fide—the idea that we are saved by faith alone and not by the works of the law.

But Paul makes a critical clarification here. He makes it clear that the righteous status we so desperately need comes through faith (v.22), but it is not the faith itself that is the grounds of our justification. The grounds of our justification—the reason God can declare us sinners to be righteous—is because of the righteousness of Christ given to us. He can regard us as righteous because a righteous status has been granted to us.




Thus, faith is merely the instrument or the means by which that righteous status is attained.

This is a critical reminder for Christians today. Whenever our world discusses religion, they will praise the merits of “faith” and laud people who possess it (think Oprah Winfrey). But notice the world never praises the merits of the object of that faith. It doesn’t matter what you believe in (after all, all religions are the same), what matters is that you are sincerely committed.

For our world, then, faith is its own object.

Contrast that to what Paul is saying in Rom 3:21–22. Paul is saying that you are not saved because of faith (as if it were meritorious in itself), but you are saved through and by faith in Christ. The object of the faith is what is definitive.

So, the Reformed doctrine of sola fide does not mean what the world might think it means. For the world, it simply means that all you need is faith. For the Reformers, it meant faith is the sole instrument by which you acquire a righteous status in Christ (and thus not by works).

For those who doubt their faith and find their faith to be weak, this is a great encouragement. Our hope is not in how strong our faith is, but in how strong and righteous our Savior is.

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

Thanks for the platitude...LOL

Mr Bombastic

And thanks, once again, for proving you are the most irrelevant person on this site.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

This, among some of this among other of Saul's/Paul's teachings, are point opposite from Jesus. Can the Pauline Doctrine be harmonized with the teachings of Jesus? Must we try to harmonize the two? Or should we be content to let Jesus be Jesus, who barely talks about justification, and let Paul be Paul, who barely talks about kingdom?

Mr Bombastic

How does what Paul say contradict Jesus?

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Paul teaches salvation on faith alone. Jesus on the other hand stressed behavior requirements; work and deeds. More clearly, an internal change of spiritual growth is integral to salvation. While perhaps it is not possible for us to “earn” the “free gift” that Jesus did give — a teaching of the universal compassionate love by which the evil within us can be transformed into a more holy kindness of love — Jesus clearly includes a behavioral component to his requirements for “salvation.” While he does not say that this satisfies any “debt,” he still requires it. See James 2:26, that we demonstrate our faith — if it is genuine — by our deeds. At this point, one or more of our bible scholars will say… but Isaiah 64:6 says: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” This is true, our puny mortal attempts of righteousness will fall short. Just as a child may offer its parents an awkwardly-drawn piece of art, which likely holds little real artistic merit (in terms of art critics it might be as “filthy rags”), still the parents sincerely and genuinely cherish such efforts. It may not “merit” winning any serious art award and may be able to “earn” very little, but loving parents accept it for its true and lasting value. So, our G*d, a perfect spiritual Father, will accept our “filthy rags” if they are offered as both sincere and our best effort. John, Chapter 3 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”

In his first public teaching (the Sermon on the Mount) Jesus introduces a bold new concept, not only that we should love friends and neighbors, but our enemies as well.

When asked by a lawyer what the most important commandment in the law was, Jesus answered (as reported in Matt 22:36-40 and Luke 10:25-37) with references from the Old Testament, that the greatest law was to love G*d (see Deut 6:5) and the second was to love your neighbor as yourself (see Lev 19:18). In the Luke text, the lawyer specifically asks what is necessary for eternal life and after Jesus references the two great commandments, he says “This do and you will live.” In the book of Luke, Jesus gives the example of the “good Samaritan” to illustrate the term “neighbor.” Interesting, there is nothing in the parable that implies that the “Samaritan” was either saved by faith or even one who is a follower of Jesus. Yet, Jesus points him out as one gained eternal life because of his actions.

Further in Jesus’ ministry he gave another example… Matthew, Mark, and Luke reports the same… that to be like “children” to enter the Kingdom. So, Jesus makes it clear that compassion and innocence are important. While Paul stresses maturity and demands that we forsake things of childhood. See 1 Corinthians. Leads one to think that the gift of eternal life rests on mature (adult) acceptance of Jesus without ever performing a kind, compassionate or cheerful (childish) deed.


There are other differences.... this is only a tip ..... when one digs deeper there are others, just as significant.

But, am I saying that anyone who follows the Pauline Doctrine is right or wrong..... no, I am only pointing out the differences in the teachings. For Jesus said, the Kingdom of G*d is within us..... we must listen to the voice from that Kingdom... not what I think or anyone else.

Mr Bombastic

Jesus never taught that works are required for salvation. He was simply stating that a genuine Christian will show certain behavior. Not that said behavior is required. You are putting the cart before the horse. You cannot earn Salvation.

There is also this...

The Apostle Paul in Titus iii. 5, R. V., writes, "Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." In these words we are taught that the Holy Spirit renews men, or makes men new, and that through this renewing of the Holy Spirit, we are saved. Jesus taught the same in John iii. 3-5, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, …

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Okay.... then consider this:

One of the most profound examples given by Jesus was his last sermon, Matthew 25. He talks about the last judgment and plainly states that actions are important. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Jesus makes it very clear that those who do express universal compassion in behavioral action will be saved, and those who do not will not be saved. Period. There is no other qualification.

There is an amazing example of compassion, and it occurred in a most dreadful place. Dr. Viktor Frankl, a German Jew who survived the Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust, wrote in his book Man’s Search for Meaning of rare but remarkable examples of men in the concentration camps who, dying of hunger, still gave comfort, along with their last crusts of bread, to their fellow sufferers to alleviate their suffering. They were not converts, never saved by Paul’s vision of “grace” and followed, even under punishment, the “laws.” According to Paul, these men have no hope of everlasting life, not saved by “grace.” Hell bound?

Mr Bombastic

"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

If you could earn your way to Heaven, as you imply, then there was no need for Christ to die for us. His sacrifice paid the full penalty for sin. All that's required for Salvation is belief and repentance. If you believe that Jesus is not able to save us, that we must meet Him halfway, then you are preaching a different Gospel then Christ did. I repeat. You cannot earn Salvation. It is a gift. Free of charge.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Your quote is Saul's Ephesians 2:8 as is 9. This goes hand an glove to what I have been saying.... Paul teaches that the gift of salvation through grace occurs apart from any behavioral requirement: Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” However, James, the brother of Jesus... James 2:24, "by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." Clearly, James seems to be saying exactly the opposite of what Paul says. The key words here, in both passages, are justified, works/deeds/actions, and faith. Not only does James echo the same words, in the same parallel structure, but he even cites exactly the same example and scriptural reference! The passage from Paul comes near the end of the third chapter of Romans; immediately after that, opening up the fourth chapter, Paul cites the example of Abraham, and quotes from Genesis 15:6, and says it was Abrham’s faith, not his works, that justified him (Romans 4:1-3). In James 2:21-24 (the same passage noted above), Paul’s very example and scriptural reference are used against him, but with the opposite (and contradictory) conclusion, that Abraham was justified by the combination of faith with works. James’ use of the same examples, quotes from the same Old Testament verse (Gen. 15:6) using the same words, and parallel structure clearly suggest that this was an intentional reply/rebuttal to Paul.

Clearly you are a busy person and save time by skimming comments instead of reading and then looking up the references. For nowhere have I said that works alone is good enough. Although an argument could be made for certain circumstances such as children and those who have never had access to the words of Jesus. But, those people will be judged by our Father... I can argue, but in the end, it is not my opinion or judgment that matters.

I can also assess by your tone, that you are somewhat agitated. My apologies.... it was not my intent to cause you mental anguish. As I said, I am only stating the difference in what Jesus taught and that of Saul.

Mr Bombastic

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Meaning that faith in Jesus is how one is saved. Not by obeying the Law. Jesus delivered us from the Law.

Here is the Passage you didn't post.

"Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Notice how it doesn't say that his actions saved him. He was saved through faith, and that faith wrought a change in his life and his actions. People make the mistake of claiming that works are what makes a Christian. The opposite is true. They are Christians because their works reflect an inner change. Do you see the difference?

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

You too are neglecting important verses go back to James 2:20 "O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.…"

Do try to remember to put the book of your reference into your comments. You may have memorized the entire bible, but many have not.

Mr Bombastic

This is a perfect example of two people reading the same thing and coming to different conclusions. Let's be clear about something. Do you believe that good works are necessary for Salvation? Yes or no.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Yes... absolutely.

Mr Bombastic

Then you are horribly mistaken. Remember the thief on the cross? He asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. What did Jesus say in response? He said today, you will be with me in Paradise. No works necessary. He wasn't even baptized. Salvation is not a ongoing process. It is something that happens the instant we repent and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. To believe otherwise is to say that Christ's sacrifice was not good enough. That we have to do something extra to make it to Heaven. You rely on your good works. I'll rely on the blood of Christ.