Not of Works, lest any man should boast
Written by: Delbert Magusara Haim
Published: May 16, 2013
What is meant by "not of works"?
Eph 2:8 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.
So what is meant by "not of works" from that passage of Ephesians, and why the writer is expressing as he already knew that they should only boast by it. The key of this mystery is written clearly in the epistle of Rome saying;
It says; Israel in time past have not attained to the law of righteousness. It means, there is a law of righteousness of how to fulfill a certain law. For example in married life, there is a law that binds a couple. And that law says; you should not depart your wife. But beside that law of married, there is a law also of how to fulfill it correctly or perfectly as it is called the law of righteousness. And this law of righteousness says; love your wife with all your body and soul. Therefore, if the husband did not leave his wife in the sight of men but his heart belongs to the other woman, it means he did not attained to the law of righteousness. Though he is righteous of not leaving his wife bodily according to the law of married but he is found unrighteous according to the law of righteousness. Yes, according to the law of married he did not depart his wife but to the law of correctness he did. Another example also is in judging a show; the contestant has a rule to be observed in the stage in order to win, and a judge also must do his rule in judging. While the contestant is performing the presentation, the judge also is counting points. Now, when the judge declare his judgment incorrectly in favor to the other contestant, the other contestant wins. But you know what, the winner is found good in his presentation but the judge is not. In the case of God's show, we are the contestant and a judge as well. Thus if you fulfill the law not in accordance to the law of righteousness then you are still perish. And that exactly how Paul teaches to the Romans by way of relating the situation of Israel who were mistaken or stumbled in fulfilling the law because they perform it as it is only physically.
So we have the following rules:
1. Law of righteousness
2. Law and ordinance
Now, in fulfilling the law and ordinance without following the guide given which is the law of righteousness, your works will be denied in the presence of God and becomes "own works or own righteousness which is of the law". It is now your own righteousness as per law and ordinance alone.
This own righteousness of man is corrected by Christ when he was teaching his law, he said;
That's why Paul have accepted, that though he is found perfect in the law and ordinance but in his heart he was not.
Meaning, he did all things which the law commanded but when the law of righteousness taught him he learned that he is not righteous in Christ.
And must be corrected by their own mistake;
"Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law". Rom 9:32
Published: May 16, 2013
What is meant by "not of works"?
Eph 2:8 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.
So what is meant by "not of works" from that passage of Ephesians, and why the writer is expressing as he already knew that they should only boast by it. The key of this mystery is written clearly in the epistle of Rome saying;
- Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
It says; Israel in time past have not attained to the law of righteousness. It means, there is a law of righteousness of how to fulfill a certain law. For example in married life, there is a law that binds a couple. And that law says; you should not depart your wife. But beside that law of married, there is a law also of how to fulfill it correctly or perfectly as it is called the law of righteousness. And this law of righteousness says; love your wife with all your body and soul. Therefore, if the husband did not leave his wife in the sight of men but his heart belongs to the other woman, it means he did not attained to the law of righteousness. Though he is righteous of not leaving his wife bodily according to the law of married but he is found unrighteous according to the law of righteousness. Yes, according to the law of married he did not depart his wife but to the law of correctness he did. Another example also is in judging a show; the contestant has a rule to be observed in the stage in order to win, and a judge also must do his rule in judging. While the contestant is performing the presentation, the judge also is counting points. Now, when the judge declare his judgment incorrectly in favor to the other contestant, the other contestant wins. But you know what, the winner is found good in his presentation but the judge is not. In the case of God's show, we are the contestant and a judge as well. Thus if you fulfill the law not in accordance to the law of righteousness then you are still perish. And that exactly how Paul teaches to the Romans by way of relating the situation of Israel who were mistaken or stumbled in fulfilling the law because they perform it as it is only physically.
So we have the following rules:
1. Law of righteousness
2. Law and ordinance
Now, in fulfilling the law and ordinance without following the guide given which is the law of righteousness, your works will be denied in the presence of God and becomes "own works or own righteousness which is of the law". It is now your own righteousness as per law and ordinance alone.
- Php 3:9 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:
This own righteousness of man is corrected by Christ when he was teaching his law, he said;
- Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
That's why Paul have accepted, that though he is found perfect in the law and ordinance but in his heart he was not.
- Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Meaning, he did all things which the law commanded but when the law of righteousness taught him he learned that he is not righteous in Christ.
- Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And must be corrected by their own mistake;
"Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law". Rom 9:32
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