God's principle: "Not by Works"

A foremost
PRINCIPLE of God...

No one can gain the favor of God... by "WORKS"

A tablet from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets"
( http://www.terrific-tabs.com )
by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)

The web-link to this "tablet" is: http://www.terrific-tabs.com/print_works.htm
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This tablet interrelates closely with Faith without Works (link)
AND: The fruits of God's trees; the INTENTION of God (link)

9/00; 6/11; 8/01; 12/01; 1/2/02; 1/02; 4/02; 8/02; 10/02; 11/02; 1/03; 3/03; 5/03; 9/03; 10/03; 3/04; 8/04; 9/04; 3/05; 4/05; 10/05; 12/05; 2/3/07

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Romans 11: 5-6 (NEB) "In the same way, at the present time, a remnant has come into being, SELECTED by the grace of God. But if it is by grace, then it does NOT rest on DEEDS done -- or grace would cease to be grace."

Romans 9: 11 (NEB) .... and yet, in order that God's selective purpose might stand, based NOT upon men's deeds.... but upon the call of God...."

Romans 9: 16 (NEB) "Thus, it does NOT depend on man's WILL or EFFORT -- but on God's mercy."

Romans 9: 30 (NRSV) What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it; that is, righteousness through faith.... 31 but Israel, who DID strive for the righteousness that is based on the LAW, did not succeed in fulfilling that Law. 32 Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of FAITH.... but as if it were based on WORKS. They have stumbled over the stumbling-stone; 33 as it is written, "See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble.... a rock that will make them fall; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame."

AND.... see numerous other Biblical references, below.

No human-being is able to GAIN the favor of God -- by "works", or "deeds".... or by pledges and promises.... or by claims of belief.

One of God's foremost principles, expressed throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, is that a human-individual's righteousness (link) and justification and "acceptability" to God are determinations made by God, and by God only -- in the mind and eyes of God alone -- and NOT by God plus a "church"; or God plus a certain doctrine of humans; or God plus a specified number of works and "deeds" and oaths and promises.

The qualities of "justification" and "righteousness", imputed by God to certain individuals of God's choice, are not "credited" to God's accepted individuals because of anything those individuals do or say or claim or decide or recite or pledge.... but because of God's intention, God's creative plan, God's "choice".... a "decision" made by God, at a time and place that we humans cannot know..... and for reasons established by God.... NOT by man.

In some translations of the Bible, the concept of "justification" (meaning declared "just", in the sight of God) is used interchangeably with the word "righteousness". In some other translations, the term "reckoned righteous" (by God) is used for the term "justified". But.... however this concept is translated, the intention of the Biblical message is clear; and that is, that we humans do not (cannot) "work" or "claim" ourselves into a condition of "righteousness" or "justification" or favor with God -- by anything that we do, or plan to do, or have done.... or by anything that we promise to do. Instead, Godspeople are declared "righteous" or "just", by God, irrespective of the effort and opinion of any person, or any group of people.... and regardless of an individual's self-appraisal concerning his own worthiness and qualifications.

God's "accepted" individuals respond to God -- and feel and recognize their "inclusion" by God -- by their "FAITH".... and they feel their dependence upon God.... and their closeness to God. (See link Responding to God.) And.... as God's Bible clearly states, faith itself comes from God -- bestowed as a gift from God -- a gift to those whom God has "chosen".... those individuals who have been mysteriously selected by God..... for God's own reasons and purposes. (See link: Faith and Belief.)

Whom has God accepted, and included.... and why? We humans can only wonder, and speculate about the "why's" of God's "choosing" some individuals -- and not including others. "God is the potter -- we are the clay." (As Deuteronomy 29: 29 says: "There are things hidden, and they belong to God; but there are things revealed, and they belong to us, and to our children, forever.")

In other sections of this book, I have reviewed.... for my own purposes and reflection and edification.... much more from the Bible about "deeds" and "works", and about "church laws", and doctrinal "rules".... and about "the religion of men". Many other Bible-references are enumerated in those other sections. Note especially the chapters ("tablets") on Faith as a Gift, and The Righteousness that comes from God, and Chosen By God. Also, pay especial attention to the chapter on Fruits, Creeds, and Deeds.

Now read, out loud, the following references, from "Godsword" ("God's word", the Bible), about how works, deeds, and man's will and effort -- are not a part of God's "selective process". Some of these are repeated, from above:

1. Romans 11: 5-6 (NEB) "In the same way, at the present time, a remnant has come into being, selected by the grace of God. But if it is by grace, then it does not rest on deeds done -- or grace would cease to be grace."

2. Romans 9: 11 (NEB) ...... and yet, in order that God's selective purpose might stand, based NOT upon men's deeds.... but upon the call of God...."

3. Romans 9: 16 (NEB) "Thus, it does NOT depend on man's WILL or EFFORT -- but on God's mercy."

4. Galatians 2: 16 (NRSV) We know that a person is justified not by the works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ (KJV translates "by the faith OF Jesus Christ"). And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ (again, KJV says "by the faith OF Jesus Christ"); and not by doing the works of the Law, because no one will be justified by the WORKS of the Law..... 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for IF justification comes through the Law -- then Christ died for nothing. (See link The Faith OF Jesus... the beliefs of Jesus.)

Same (NIV) 2: 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing.

5. Galatians 5: 4 (NRSV) You who want to be justified by the LAW have cut yourselves off from Christ. You have fallen away from GRACE. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

Romans 8: 1 (KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me FREE from the LAW of sin, and death. 3 For what the LAW could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh.... God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh; and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.

6. Philippians 3: 8-9 (NRSV) For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things; and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through faith in Christ (again, KJV translates "by the faith OF Jesus Christ") -- the righteousness from God, based on faith.

Same: (NIV) I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God -- and is by faith.

7. Galatians 3: 23 (NRSV) Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the Law, until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God, through faith.

8. Genesis 15: 6 (NIV) Abram believed the LORD; and He credited it to him as righteousness.

9. Isaiah 57: 12 (NRSV) I will concede your righteousness, and your works; but they will NOT help you. 13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! (JNT note: your personal "achievements", and self-made "works") The wind will carry them off. A breath will take them away.

10. Ephesians 2: 8 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not FROM yourselves. It is the gift of God -- 9 not by works -- so that no one can boast.

11. 2 Timothy 1: 8 (NIV) So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us, and called us to a holy life -- not because of ANYTHING we have done -- but because of HIS own PURPOSE, and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus.... before the beginning of time.

Same (NEB) 9 It is He (God) who brought us salvation, and called us to a dedicated life, not for any merit of ours, but for His own chosen purpose, and His own grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus, from all eternity.

Same (NRSV) 8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9 who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works; but according to His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the ages began.

12. Romans 4: 5 (NRSV) But to one who without works trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 6 So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons (NEB "credits") righteousness -- apart from works.

13. John 6: 28 (NIV) Then they asked Him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent."

14. 1 Corinthians 12: 5 (NIV) There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working; but the same God works all of them, in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given -- for the common good.

15. Isaiah 48: 4 But I said, "I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength for nothing, and vanity. Yet surely my cause is with the LORD -- and my reward with my God.

16. Mark 7: 6 He (Jesus) said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites -- as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 In vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.' 8 You abandon the commandment of God -- and hold to human tradition."

17. Titus 3: 4 (KJV) But after that, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy -- He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and by renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 which He (God) shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life.

Same (NRSV) But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 He saved us -- not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy -- through the water of rebirth, and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit, He (God) poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The above scriptural references cannot be any more explicit -- or precise.

As I have said, time and again -- either the Bible is spiritually true and correct..... or we humans do not have a genuine "source-book", or gold standard (link) -- for information and truth about God.

In my understanding that the references quoted above give a clear and obvious revealing of God's thoughts, and His message.... on this important subject of "works" and deeds.

Nothing else needs to be added to what God says. No further comments are necessary.

2/3/07