Legalism

The issue is the difference between salvation and faithfulness.

Once a person is condemned as a sinner–he has sinned–he falls under the penalty of the law which is the death penalty. How are they then saved from that penalty?

The answer is that it is only by the grace of God–the favor of God–that we are saved. The condition of that grace being extended is by the “pistis” “assurance of good faith” that the supplicant makes to the court of God.

If we had been completely faithful in the beginning, there would have been no need for grace or favor of God. We would not have needed a Savior. However, as St. Paul states, “none has lived up to God’s expectations of faithfulness.” Therefore we need a savior.

Having sinned we cannot “unsin” ourselves by good works. We remain under the original death penalty until it is taken care of.

God taking care of the penalty by His grace–takes our pledge of fealty–faithfulness–to Him as a guarantee. If we fail in our faithfulness to His expectation again, “I would that you sin not,” we are once again in danger of coming under the penalty. Jesus told the woman in adultery to go and stop sinning unless another bad thing comes on her.

Our faithfulness in keeping God’s expectation is wrongly call salvation by works. Once we have had our position with God reestablished (saved), we are expected to keep the King’s law.

No salvation by works, just faithfully keeping the will of God after His mercy is given to us.

Joe