What other scriptures emphasize faith over works for salvation? Context: Galatians 5:2—When Works Cancel Grace “Take note: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.” Paul’s warning is clear: shift your trust from Christ to any human work—even a God-given rite like circumcision—and you forfeit the benefit of the cross. New-Testament Passages That Echo the Same Theme • Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” • Romans 3:28 — “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” • Galatians 2:16 — “Know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ… because by works of the law no one will be justified.” • Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” • 2 Timothy 1:9 — “He has saved us and called us… not because of our works, but because of His own purpose and grace.” Faith Credited as Righteousness • Romans 4:4-5 — “To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” • Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” • Philippians 3:8-9 — “…that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.” Old-Testament Roots • Habakkuk 2:4 — “…the righteous will live by his faith.” • Isaiah 64:6 — “All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags,” underscoring that human effort cannot merit God’s favor. Jesus’ Own Words on Believing • John 6:28-29 — “Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus replied, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.’” • John 3:16-18 — “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish… Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned.” Faith’s Simple Response Illustrated • Acts 16:30-31 — “‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’… ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” • Romans 10:9-10 — “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Living in the Freedom of Faith • Rest in Christ’s finished work—no religious performance can add to it. • Boast only in the cross; gratitude replaces striving. • Serve and obey out of love, not to earn acceptance already given. • Guard against any teaching that mixes human merit with divine grace. |
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