Justified by Works

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[2] The title of the sermon: “JUSTIFIED BY WORKS.”

• Many people today are saying that we are saved by faith plus works.
• They will say that it is not faith alone that saves. They will say works are required to be saved.
• And they will use James Chapter 2 while ignoring all of the other Scriptures.
• Let’s see what the Bible says about people being justified by works.
• First, what does being justified actually mean?

Let’s say you’re up for judgment to go to heaven or hell as these people will teach.

• Let’s say the judge takes a look at your case. He’s going to say you are either justified or condemned.
• You are either innocent or guilty. If innocent, you are justified. If guilty, you are condemned.
• You have been judged as just, not guilty, innocent from doing wrong.
• Justified by God means you are declared or made righteous in the sight of God.
• This means you are seen by God as perfect. If you are to enter into heaven, you must be sinless.
• You must be innocent of all wrong doing.

Now, before we get into the Scriptures, I want to make sure you understand works.

• Works are something you choose to physically do or not to do according to God’s words.
• For example, prayer is a work because you are physically stopping, praying, and speaking with God.
• Does God make you pray? No, He doesn’t. Never once has God forced me to pray to Him.
• Going to church is a work. Does God make you come to church? No, He doesn’t.
• Never once has God forced me to go to work. Baptism in water is a work. God doesn’t make you do this.
• You make a choice to do this, and you physically do it. These are works.

Faith is believing in your mind. This takes no physical work because God says that faith is not equal to works.

• We are saved by God’s grace (meaning we don’t deserve it and haven’t worked for it) through faith.
• Again, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Not of works. Salvation is not of works.
• But people will continue to say that we are saved by faith plus works. Why do they say this?

They choose James Chapter 2 to prove that we are saved by faith plus works.

• Specifically, they will say that Abraham was justified by his works. Rahab was justified by her works.
• Because of this, they think we must do good works to be saved. The rest of the Scriptures are ignored.
• Now, if I say this statement alone: “Abraham was justified by works.” This is a true statement.
• But do I mean he was justified in front of God through his works and his works showed he was righteous?
• Do I mean that Abraham went to heaven because of his works? No, that’s not what this means.

Was Rahab justified by her works? Yes, but her good work didn’t send her to heaven.

• What does the Bible mean then when it says these things? Abraham was justified by his works.
• Rahab was justified by her works. True statement.
• But there are different meanings as the Scriptures teach.
• For example, you can be justified in front of God and you can be justified in front of man.
• For example, your soul can be saved from hell or your body can be saved from dying of a disease.

In both of these examples, being justified happens and being saved happens.

• So, we have to be clear of what this means in each example.
• Do we mean justified by God or justified by man?
• Do we mean our soul was saved from eternal hell or our life was extended a few years?
• Let’s take a close look at this today by comparing Scripture with Scripture.
• When we think there is a contradiction, we must use Scriptures to show us the truth.

[3] James 2:20-22 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

[4] James 2:23-25 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

• Now, people take these Scriptures and run with them. These supposedly trump all the other Scriptures.
• They will say that we must have good works to be saved.
• In other words, you don’t know if you’re actually saved because you need to be doing good works.
• When? How many? How often? They don’t have the answers for that.
• They just tell you that you better keep doing good works or you might not be saved.

So, let’s think about this. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

• This is the perfect word of God. “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
• One example given is Abraham’s good work of offering his son Isaac upon the altar.
• The other example given is Rahab’s good work of receiving the messengers and sending them out another way.

The people who preach this are saying that these works are what justified Abraham and Rahab before God.

• They are saying that these works were a part of their salvation. “These works helped them go to heaven.”
• But, let’s say there are scores of Scriptures that say something totally different than this.
• Let’s take a look at them.

[5] Psalm 143:1-2 A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

• This is the Old Testament and the perfect word of God in every way, shape, and form.
• Do we ignore this Scripture? No, we do not ignore James Chapter 2 or Psalm Chapter 143.
• People will say that your good works justify you before God.
• Let’s say you take just you, the life you’ve lived, and all your works. You go to God with this.

“God, I want you to judge me by my works.” David says, “And enter not into judgment with thy servant.”

• If God enters into judgment and you don’t offer Jesus Christ alone, you will not be justified.
• “For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.” Your works do not make you righteous for heaven.
• You can do good works but they aren’t an offering to forgive you of sin.

Maybe we forget about the example of Cain and Abel. Don’t be like Cain. He brought his works.

• He knew God existed. You can say Cain believed in God and brought his works with him.
• But did he actually believe “IN” God alone? No, you can see that he didn’t trust him.
• The Bible clearly tells us this about Cain. Don’t go in the way of Cain with your works.
• You can’t stand before God with your works and be justified.

[6] Isaiah 50:8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

• Who justifies you for heaven? It is only God who justifies you for heaven. Am I right or wrong?
• “He is near that justifieth me.” God is the one who justifies you.
• This means you cannot justify yourself to God by your works.
• If you could justify yourself by your works, then you would be the one justifying.

Listen, I searched all the Scriptures for this sermon.

• There are no Scriptures in the entire Bible that say we are justified in front of God by our works.
• I searched the Scriptures for all verses that contain the words: 1) justification, 2) justified, 3) justifier, 4) justifieth, 5) justify, and 6) justifying.
• There were 64 matches in 60 verses. I read them all and read them in context within the chapter.
• No one is ever justified by their works in front of God. The Bible actually says the opposite.
• The Bible clearly says, many times, that we will never be justified by our works in front of God.
• We cannot justify ourselves for heaven, to be found righteous, by our works in any way.

[7] Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

• Again, who justifies us? Verse 11 says, “He shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.”
• “By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”
• Jesus Christ is the one who justifies us. It is not our works that justify us before God.
• These are the Scriptures that talk about being justified.

People who preach that we must do works to be saved are the ones who are looking to justify themselves.

• Doing good works for God is a decision you must make and then you must go do that good work.
• It’s all about what you are doing. This is called your works. These exact people are shown in the Bible.
• Let me show you a couple of examples here. Notice the words in the Bible. Pay close attention.

[8] Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

• This man wants to know what he needs to do to inherit eternal life.
• Jesus knows this man well. He knows that this man is looking to justify himself. The Bible says so.
• Look out for that as I keep going through this example.

[9] Luke 10:26-28 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

• If you’ve studied love throughout the Bible as we have many times, you’ll know what it means to love thy neighbor as thyself.
• This will fulfill the entire law. If you always love your neighbors, you will do all the commandments.
• You will keep the whole law and never offend in one point. This man is tempting God.
• He has already broken a commandment. You are not to tempt the Lord thy God at any time.
• Love is following God’s commandments. This is love that we walk after His commandments.

Jesus asks the man what is written in the law. “HOW READEST THOU?” Love all the time is what the man answers.

• Loving all the time is 100% following the commandments of God and never sinning.
• “This do, and thou shalt live.” Has anyone done this but God? No. We have all sinned.
• The law teaches us that we have all sinned. We can’t follow the whole law all the time.
• Listen closely as the conversation continues between this man and Jesus.

[10] Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

• The man who wants to do good works for eternal life is looking to justify himself.
• That’s what this is. That’s what the false preachers are teaching out there.
• People want to justify themselves. Not me. I want to be justified by God through His Son.
• Why? Because I know that I’ve broken God’s laws. I am guilty. I am a sinner.
• My body is dying. This proves that I am a sinner that cannot be justified by my works.
• If I follow the whole law and yet offend in one point, I am guilty of all.
• Do you know where that verse comes from? James Chapter 2.

[11] James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

• But these people will still teach that works saved Abraham. They say, “Works saved Rahab.”
• “They were justified by their works and this is why they made it to heaven.” WRONG.
• Why would God put the example of Rahab the harlot in there? He’s trying to tell you something.

Did Rahab have many evil works? Yes, she was a harlot or a whore or a prostitute.

• She would sell her body, sexual acts, for money.
• Do you really think her one good work canceled out all the other works?
• Or, the people will say that she was saved by faith but then she was justified when she did a good work.
• Again, they will say justification comes through the work a man does. Does it?

We went over the rich young ruler because people will say that Jesus taught a works based salvation.

• He wanted to justify himself too. He wanted to know the good work he should do to receive salvation.
• Jesus told Him to follow the law if He wanted to be saved by His works. He said that he had.
• Jesus says, “If thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou hast and give it to the poor. Then, come, follow me.”
• The man went away sorrowful. If you want your good life to justify you, then it better be a perfect life.

You don’t get to choose which works that you’ve done to serve up to God as an offering.

• He’s going to look at your entire case if you want to be judged by your works.
• And, if He finds one thing that you’ve done wrong, then you are guilty. One lie. One thing stolen.
• Lusting one time. Not honoring your Dad or Mom one time. If you’ve sinned, you are guilty.
• Your good works are not a part of salvation and they for sure don’t keep salvation for you.

[12] Luke 16:13-15 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

• Jesus clearly tells the Pharisees that they justify themselves before men.
• There’s a difference in being justified before men and justified before God.
• The works that you do will justify you in front of men.
• The works you do will not justify you in front of God.
• The Pharisees said that they followed the law just as Christians today say they follow Jesus Christ.

You can test a so-called Christian in today’s world with the following two questions:

• “Is it wrong to be a homosexual? If so, should a homosexual be put to death?”
• If they say it is not wrong, they are not a Christian.
• If they say a homosexual shouldn’t be put to death, they are not a Christian.
• A Christian follows Jesus Christ, and He is very clear about this subject in the Bible.

You could ask, “Is it wrong to commit adultery? If so, should an adulterer be put to death?”

• A Christian will answer yes and yes to that question.
• It is the job of the government to create law that aligns with God’s words, enforce those laws, and carry out the punishment for those laws.
• A Christian will agree with what God clearly lays out as right and wrong within the Bible.
• The world has changed what is right and wrong.

The Pharisees were the holier than thous. They would act as if they followed all of God’s law.

• They would act like they did all of the works of the law. But they didn’t.
• They were never justified in front of God by their works. Jesus called them children of the devil.

“Lord, Lord, look at all the wonderful works we’ve done in your name.”

• “Depart from me.” Why? Because Jesus didn’t find faith in them. Why?
• They thought their works were a part of salvation. Let me be very clear.
• NEVER attempt to make works a part of salvation in any way, shape, or form.
• They are not a part of salvation.

[13] Luke 18:9-11 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

[14] Luke 18:12-14 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

• The publican was justified before God because he humbled himself and called upon the Lord.
• “God, be merciful unto me a sinner.” Humbling. Not exalting. Not glorying before the Lord.
• No flesh shall glory in His presence. And yes, adding works to salvation is glorying before the Lord.
• If you think you can bring your works before the Lord for salvation, this is glorying.
• For all have sinned and COME SHORT of the GLORY of God. Your works won’t equal His works.

[15] Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

• Forgiveness of sins is what saves you. This ONLY comes through Jesus Christ and His works.
• “And by HIM all that BELIEVE are JUSTIFIED from ALL THINGS.”
• We don’t need further justification for salvation. We cannot be justified by the law of Moses.
• We cannot be justified by works in FRONT OF GOD.

[16] Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

• We went over this when talking about the rich young ruler.
• Jesus taught that you can be saved if you are perfect.
• If you are a 100% doer of the law, you will be justified without Jesus Christ.
• The Pharisees knew this. That’s what they wanted. They thought themselves to be perfect.
• “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are.” They didn’t love their neighbors. They despised them.
• Follow the whole law, have perfect works, and you shall be justified.
• Then Romans Chapter 3 continues in teaching us that there are none righteous, no, not one.

[17] Psalm 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

• From the Old Testament to the New Testament: “There is none that doeth GOOD.”
• We cannot be saved by our works while we are in this flesh because none are good.
• Even if we do good works, after we are saved, by walking in the Spirit, our flesh still does evil works at times.
• We don’t get to ignore all of those evil works. We are not saved by works.

Salvation is not kept by our works. Works do not prove salvation for us.

• We are searching the Scriptures for verses that teach us about being justified.
• The only Scriptures that teach justification by works are in James Chapter 2.
• No other Scripture ANYWHERE says that we are justified by works.
• So the Bible must mean something different in James Chapter 2 about being justified.

[18] Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

• The law are the works. Jesus commanded us to be baptized. This is a law. We are not saved by baptism.
• Jesus taught us to not look upon a woman with lust. This is a law. We are not saved by following this law.
• We are not justified IN HIS SIGHT, in the sight of God, by these laws. Why? Because we break them.

[19] Romans 3:21-24 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

• Being justified in the context of these Scriptures speaks of salvation or everlasting life.
• We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

[20] Romans 3:25-26 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

• Believe in Jesus Christ and you are justified in front of God. He gives you His righteousness.
• Is that not what these Scriptures are clearly saying over and over again? Yes, they are.
• Does James Chapter 2 contradict this and the others just ignore all of these Scriptures?

No, James Chapter 2 is not speaking of being justified in front of God and being saved with everlasting life.

• Abraham wasn’t saved with everlasting life when offered Isaac his son upon the altar.
• He was saved years before that. The Bible tells us he was saved in uncircumcision.
• This was long before Isaac was born. Abraham was already justified and saved by God through faith.

[21] Romans 4:9-10 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

• It was years between Abraham believing, being saved, and then being justified by his works of offering Isaac upon the altar.
• If Abraham would have died before he offered Isaac, he was already saved and would have went to heaven.
• Abraham’s works only justified him before men. Same with Rahab the harlot.
• James Chapter 2 speaks of being justified before man.

We are only justified FREELY by God’s grace when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

• Romans 11:6 tells us clearly that grace and works don’t go together at all. We are ONLY saved by grace.
• But, the people will still say James Chapter 2 says the opposite. Does it really?

[22] Romans 3:26-28 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

• So, people will take James Chapter 2 and say, “SEE!!! Abraham was justified by his works.”
• They say, “Abraham had faith but he needed the works to be justified to God.”
• Is that what this Scripture here says? And then God brings up Abraham as the example.
• I didn’t bring him up in Romans Chapter 4. God does to show you the truth.

If you are justified in front of God by your works, then you could boast about your works.

• The Bible concludes a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
• And then talks about Abraham. Do you think Abraham isn’t included in this statement?
• This justification being talked about here is justification for salvation or eternal life.

NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY WORKS. This says FAITH ALONE justifies you in front of God.

• James Chapter 2 doesn’t teach something different.
• We’re talking about a different justification in front of man in James Chapter 2.
• Rahab helped the spies, she was justified in their eyes, so they saved her and didn’t kill her.
• That’s the truth of what happened. And then, her faith, prior to that, saved her soul.
• That work didn’t save her soul. That saved her flesh and the flesh of her family.

[23] Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

• Still finding verses that talk about justification. How are all people justified?
• This verse tells you. God will justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith.
• All people of all time are saved the same way: THROUGH FAITH ALONE.

[24] Romans 4:2-4 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

• There’s your answer to James Chapter 2. Simply search the Scriptures. Compare.
• You don’t just take a verse in James Chapter 2 and ignore scores and scores of Scriptures.
• “IF Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
• We just talked about boasting a few Scriptures before this one IN THE BIBLE.

We have nothing to glory about before God. We come short of the glory of God. ALL OF US of ALL TIME.

• If you want to add works to salvation, you will be in debt. You owe God a perfect life.
• Jesus sacrificed HIS PERFECT LIFE already for you. Why would you try to do it again? You’ve failed already.
• Abraham’s works didn’t get him righteousness. HE BELIEVED and God gave him righteousness.
• God justified Abraham through Abraham’s faith in God.

[25] Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

• Why in the world do people want to add works to salvation? They just keep on and on and on.
• And they hear these sermons, they read these sermons, and they keep telling me that I am wrong.
• Seriously, do you have a comprehension issue? Is this difficult to see and to read?

[26] Romans 4:23-25 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

• Our justification for salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. There is nothing else that justifies us.
• Water baptism doesn’t, church attendance doesn’t, repenting of sin doesn’t, reading the Bible doesn’t.
• And keep this in mind for Acts 2:38 crowd: ALL THIS WAS WRITTEN AFTER ACTS 2:38.
• Baptism in water is a work just as circumcision was a work. We are not saved by works.

[27] Ephesians 2:8-9 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 think salvation is by works in any way, shape, or form, YOU WANT TO BOAST. God says so.
• You want to glory before God. GOD SAYS SO.
• No, humble yourself and understand you aren’t good, Pharisee. You need Jesus Christ ALONE. He is God.
• He can save you without your help at any time.

He doesn’t need your works after you are saved to preserve salvation for you.

• He does want you to get your butt to work after you’re saved. I’m not preaching against that.
• I’m preaching for you to work hard for Jesus after you are saved by grace through faith.

[28] Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

• Did I make this up? “THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH.” How are we justified for salvation?
• By faith alone. Not works. James Chapter 2 isn’t teaching salvation.
• He’s talking about people who are already saved and now it’s very important to do good works.

It’s important for men to see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

• We don’t do good works so we can be saved and glory in front of God.
• We do good works after we are already saved and give all glory to Him. We don’t need those to be saved.
• He already saved us. Now, we work for Him to give all the glory to Him. Do you not see this?

[29] Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

• We are sinners. We are only justified BY HIS BLOOD. We are only saved by Jesus Christ. NOT OUR WORKS.
• We aren’t being sanctified more and more as we do more good works either.
• You can’t be sanctified more when you soul is sealed by the HOLY Spirit.
• Your body isn’t getting more sanctified either. Your body is dying. God will raise a new body one day.

[30] Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

• Justification by God is a free gift through faith in God. Good works does not equal faith.
• Does good works go hand in hand with faith? They should.
• But some people have faith and then are afraid to do anything with it.
• God doesn’t say we have to have perfect faith to be saved. It is a drop of faith that saves us.
• Then we should do good works to perfect that faith. If salvation is a free gift, we don’t work for it at all.

[31] Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

• Do you not see how many Scriptures there are that disprove what people attempt to say about Abraham and Rahab being justified in front of God by their works?
• There’s no way in hell that ANY MAN is justified by their works in front of the Holy God. NOT ONE MAN.
• Not Job. Not Moses. Not Abraham. Not David. Not Daniel. Not Peter. Not Paul. Not Rahab.

[32] Romans 8:32-33 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

• FREE, FREE, FREE. Salvation is free. Justification by God is free. Working is not free. Work is work.
• Grace is free. Work is not. Grace is free. Work is not. Work is work. Grace is free. Grace is grace.
• God justifies us by His grace. It is a free gift. NOT OF WORKS. How many times does it take?

We cannot justify ourselves by the works that we do to God. He looks upon the man to see if there is faith.

• We cannot see faith so we need to see works. Man is justified to another man by his works.
• For example, let’s say a man comes in here and he tells me he has faith alone in Jesus Christ.
• He tells me he is saved. He says, “I want to be baptized.” He is justifying himself to me.

He is showing me his faith. He’s scared to come here. He’s afraid to be baptized. He does it anyway.

• He wants to preach the Gospel. He’s afraid. He’s nervous. He does it anyway. He tries.
• He tries harder. He’s nervous. He’s sweating. He does it anyway. Hey, he is showing me he has faith.
• I can’t see his faith. I can see his works, though. He doesn’t preach a false gospel. He preaches truth.
• I would rather be around that man than a man who say he has faith but doesn’t do anything with it.

God doesn’t need to see his works to see if he has faith. He already knows.

• His works don’t justify him before God. But yes, God is very happy with this man.
• But the man, in his flesh, still sins. God is not happy with that sin.
• We must repent of that sin and do our best to stop.

[33] 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

• We were those things. We did those things. But now God has justified us in the name of the Lord.
• AND by the Spirit of our God. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we receive the Spirit of God.
• Then we can choose to do good or to do bad. The Bible says so.
• God never says we will only walk in the Spirit now and we will ONLY do good works.

[34] Galatians 2:16-17 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

• Do I need to preach anything else?
• Will you really sit there and say that James 2 means that we need works to be justified in front of God?

[35] Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

• There’s the exact example of Abraham again. Will you take one Scripture and ignore all of the others?
• The Scriptures (the older ones) foresaw that God would JUSTIFY through FAITH.
• Nothing else justifies you in front of God. Faith can’t justify you in front of man because man can’t see it.

[36] Galatians 3:10-11 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

• If you want to do the works, you have to do them all perfectly. You can’t.
• NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. The just shall LIVE by faith.
• You only get everlasting LIFE through faith. You are only justified in front of God through faith.
• Now, if you clearly hear this and are a Southern Baptist, you shouldn’t be a Southern Baptist any more.
• If you think works are needed for salvation, you should change your mind about that right now.

[37] Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

• Justified by faith, justified by faith, justified by faith. Over and over and over again.
• And then you wonder why I get sick of people telling me I am wrong.
• They say, “Works are required to be justified in front of God. To be saved, we must have works.”

[38] Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he 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.

• Justified by grace. We don’t deserve it. Not by works of righteousness which we have done.
• I do works of righteousness. I preach the right Gospel. THIS DOESN’T SAVE ME AT ALL.
• I do not glory before the Lord in this because He saved me by His grace. I didn’t even deserve that.
• Don’t come to me telling me we are justified by works in front of God. YOU HAVE NO SCRIPTURE AT ALL.
• Justified by works in front of man but not in front of God. There is no contradiction in the Bible.

Do you now see how a man is justified by works and not by faith only?

• This is clearly talking about being justified in front of another man.
• Rahab is the example. Her life was saved because she justified herself by her works to those men.
• Joshua didn’t kill her. He could have. She did this good work by faith in God.

[39] Joshua 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

• That good work justified her in the sight of Joshua. He could have slaughtered her with the rest of them.

[40] Joshua 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

• Joshua didn’t save Rahab’s soul. Her flesh was saved. Her soul was already saved by God.
• She only did this work because she had faith. She showed it to those men and to Joshua.

[41] Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

• Don’t get the order of things out of whack. You must be saved by grace through faith FIRST.
• THEN, you can show your faith to men, NOT TO GOD, by the good works you do.
• And listen, I want you, with all that I have, to do good works.
• I want you to preach the Gospel with a passion. I want the whole world, right now, to be saved.
• I don’t want anyone to perish. I am with Jesus Christ. But, people will perish.
• But let’s don’t make it because we wouldn’t preach the Gospel to them.

I hope, with all that I have, that all these Scriptures today prove, without a doubt, that works do not save you.

• Not before, during, or after salvation. Works can save your flesh alive. Or, they can get your flesh killed.
• But your soul is saved by Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and His Father in heaven who is greater than all.
• No one can take salvation away once you believe IN Jesus Christ. God says, “I’ve got you now.”

Let’s pray.