Law and Gospel Distinguished
Works vs Faith
Law and Gospel · 6 verses
The law operates on the principle of works—do this and live; the gospel operates on the principle of faith—believe and be saved. These are mutually exclusive grounds of justification. If salvation is by works, then faith is unnecessary; if by faith, then works cannot contribute. The gospel announces that Christ has performed the works the law requires, and faith receives the benefits of His finished work. Thus faith and works are not competing contributions but sequential realities: faith in Christ's works, not trust in our own.
Scripture References
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
“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.”
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”