PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

A type of damning legalism is…. Before I define this, let me add this caveat: In Romans Paul does not equate “obedience” with “works.” As always, we must let the user define his own words. “Obedience” in Romans is often tied to faith (i.e., “the obedience of faith” – 1:5; 16:26). Paul, however, is not promoting grace is a free-for-all-to-do-all (Romans 6).
Understanding how the writer uses a word is imperative to understanding the writer. For example, both James and Paul speak of “works.” In James “wasn’t Abraham justified by works” (2:21). In Romans “If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to brag about – but not before God” (4:2). Luther thought this a contradiction and called the book of James a “straw letter.” The truth is both are true. In James “works” is a practical, outward, necessary aspect of faith. Without works faith is dead (2:24). In Romans works cannot save because it is defined as having earning power itself. So while Paul is using “works” theologically; James is using “works” practically.
“Works” in Romans, the kind which does not save (Romans 4) and is contrary to grace, is a work in which power resides within the act itself. Therefore circumcision could not save, although God commanded and required it for the Israelites under punishment of death. The act itself held no power which is why Gentiles were not required to be circumcised.
For us a comparable work is baptism. Is baptism required? Absolutely (Romans 6). We can even say that it is required under penalty of spiritual death (Mark 16:16). However, even though “baptism saves” (1 Peter 3:21), it is legalism to think there is power to save within baptism itself. This is why we must be careful how we speak and what others mean when saying we believe in “baptism regeneration.” Biblically speaking, baptism is not how we are saved; baptism is when we are saved.
So, a type of legalism is attributing power to the works themselves instead of to God.

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This entry was posted by PHall on Sunday, June 17th, 2018 at 5:34 am and is filed under Romans, James. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.