What Are the Works of the Law?

In the last two sermons that I've shared with you about on the covenant series that I started, they've been a little bit on the longer side. I acknowledge that. This one may be a little bit shorter, but I'd like to continue looking and covering the topic of covenants and the law that God has given not only to Israel but also to all of his people. I want to dive into—we're not going to dive—continue into the next covenant, which is the new covenant. I'm going to wait until after the feast so that I can keep that, because that'll probably be a two-part series, and I want to keep them together and don't break it up with the feast. But I want to look at two aspects of the law and the teachings of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. This instruction by Paul is often taken out of context as we consider the law and we consider the covenants, and it's been the basis for questions like these. And these questions, you may have been shared—or people may have asked you these questions. Maybe someone who knows you keep the Sabbath or the Holy Days. Maybe it's a family member, even. I think some of—I know some of our family members have shared these questions. I've talked to some of you about that. But these are some questions maybe you've been asked or you've heard asked. One could be, but doesn't the Apostle Paul say that the law is a curse?

Maybe this question, doesn't Paul speak about the law being of the Spirit, not of the letter?

Or Paul talks about being justified freely by grace, right? Or didn't Paul say, if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law? I don't know if you've had people ask these questions in talking with Laura about this the sermon and thinking through it. She was reminded and reminded me that back in 1995, some of these questions were presented to many of us within the church.

And we had to answer these questions because many started using this as a basis for going away from Sabbath-keeping, going away from Holy Day-keeping. And so these questions are important to understand and to be able to answer someone if they ask us, even if they quote from Paul's own words, which we're going to look at today. So I'd like to take some time to examine two statements or phrases that the Apostle Paul used at different times in his writings. These statements are critical, again, for us to understand because they have been used to justify doing away with the Sabbath, doing away with the Holy Days, and many other things you and I hold to as we continue our walk with God. And of course, this topic continues our study of the covenants of God and our part in the New Covenant. We know that perfect law-keeping, if that was even possible, could never make us justified to God. Scripture is clear on this subject, very clear. If you'll turn with me and we'll open our Bibles to Ephesians 2 and verse 8. There are several scriptures we could go to to support this teaching and understanding, but Ephesians 2 verse 8 just spells it out perfectly clear. Again, Paul, in his own writings, here shares this. Ephesians 2 verse 8. Paul says, "...for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." And so we know through God's grace we have been saved. Now, there's different definitions for grace. I've heard it phrased different ways, such as undeserved mercy or unmerited favor from God, which is true. But I think I prefer definitions that go broader than that because when we consider the way that God interacts with all of our lives, with all of humanity, it involves so much more than just mercy or favor.

It involves His goodness, His greatness, His kindness, the way that He tenderly cares for us when we have our needs. It encompasses all the ways that God works with us, works and cares for His people, His creation. Nobody else was, nothing else in creation was made after God's own image.

And so He treats us very carefully through His grace, and it's a precious place for us to be found in His hands, the way that He just surrounds us, the way that He comforts, the way that He encourages us. All of this is His grace and the way that He continues to work in our lives. And it says, for by grace, by this kindness, this goodness of God, this mercy, this favor that He grants us, it says we've been saved through faith. And it's not of ourselves. It's not through the works we've done. It's not through obedience or law keeping. It is the gift of God. And as He says, not through works, lest anyone should boast. But this thought from Scripture I just referenced, and some of Paul's writings, have caused people to think that the entirety of the law has been done away with, that the entirety of the law is null or void. And so I'd like to look at two areas of Paul's teachings that have been misunderstood for a very long time, and continue to be misunderstood by many today. In Scripture, there is a term, works of the law. What does Paul mean by works of the law? In Scripture, the term works of the law, also translated as deeds in the law, is found only in Paul's writings. And we find that he addresses these works and this law in a very general way, without getting into specific aspects of which works, or which specific laws.

This is important to understand, because if the works of the law are being done away with, or null and void, wouldn't he be very specific which laws, which works? But he's not. He's talking about this in more of a general term, and this is one of the keys to understanding this passage. So as we look at some of these scriptures, keep in mind that Paul is not addressing whether or not a Christian should keep the law. Paul often repeats the importance of God's commands, and that we should live according to them. Law-keeping was not the issue, but rather the issue was the absence of faith in Jesus Christ, with respect to law-keeping. Paul is addressing those who believe that law-keeping itself was sufficient, and it wasn't.

We know, and they were trying to separate the law independently from their faith in Jesus Christ.

This is why the understanding of the context of Scripture is so important.

Let's look at one of these passages in Romans chapter 3.

Romans 3, and we'll start reading in verse 20.

Notice in verse 20, he says, therefore, by the deeds of the law, and many translations, your translation may say, works of the law, he says, no flesh will be justified in his sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. So let's unpack this a little bit. For by the law is the knowledge of sin. Without the law, there is no knowledge of sin. Paul is saying here, and he says it in other places. We'll look at another one later. But therefore, by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. Notice verse 23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a perpetuation by his blood through faith to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance, God had passed over the sins that were previously committed to demonstrate at the present time his righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. And then verse 28, therefore we conclude that man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Paul uses this term works of the law or deeds of the law to involve justification. It involves looking at the concept of justification, which is being aligned or being right with God. In the book of Romans and Galatians, Paul refers to justification in two different ways. In some places, and then this first way that we'll look at, in some places, he refers to justification in the sense of what Christ has done for us. Paul uses the word grace to describe the forgiveness of sin that only Christ could secure for mankind through his sacrifice as our Savior. We know nothing we can do will ever forgive sin and justify us. Forgiveness of sin is granted only through faith in the sacrifice of Christ, not by good deeds that we may do. And as we see in Scripture that God does not grant forgiveness apart from repentance.

We know that as one comes to God and is drawn to repentance and one wants to receive God's Spirit, one wants to commit their life to God, it requires one to examine their life. That repentance has to be part of the process, and with that the person receives the forgiveness of their sins.

We can put you can put in your notes Acts 2 and verse 38. It's a Scripture we've looked at many, many times over the last year where Peter said to them, this is on that day, 1st Pentecost, after Jesus Christ died and rose and ascended to the Father, and they gathered and the Holy Spirit was poured out. And Peter gave that powerful sermon, and at the end the people who heard it were moved and cut to their hearts. And they said, What shall we do? And Peter says in Acts 2 and verse 38, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It's one of the tenets of baptism, not only belief, faith, those are two tenets. Repentance is a third tenet that must be part of one's process of turning their life to God and acknowledging their sins to receive God's Spirit and to be called children of God. Apart from repentance, there cannot be a granting of God's mercy, of His grace, and of His... Let me back up. He can't grant His Holy Spirit because those things are required through repentance. One has to repent, and so that has to be an acknowledgment of one's sin. So Paul's not saying that the law is done away with, there is no law for us to follow. This is one way that Paul refers to justification, is through these works. In other places, Paul refers to justification in a behavioral sense. That is, in the way that we lead our life. A Christian who is justified will live a godly life as defined by the laws of God.

One who is justified will show the fruit of the Spirit of God working daily in his life, living righteously. James speaks to this justification in the behavioral sense. If you'll turn to James 2 in verse 20. As you're turning, I often like to, as we're talking about this subject, as we consider Paul's writings, where he talks a lot about faith, and then James talks a lot about works, I like to remind the reader there is no conflict between Paul and James. If you read through some commentaries, they talk about this conflict, that Paul was about faith in Jesus. James was about works, and there are even some factions in Christianity, some circles in Christianity, where they want to do away with James's writings. Some people do not like James, his book being in the canon that we have, and that even goes with some leaders of some different churches, some different pastors. They don't like the book of James because it feels like it's in conflict with all of Paul's writings. But some of the commentaries, if you continue to look and study, and if you understand this subject, you realize that the two, James and Paul, they actually blend perfectly together, that you can't have one without the other. And we're going to look at James's writings here. And if you need any commentaries that kind of speaks and shows the way that the two harmonize together, let me know. I'm always happy to point you in that direction because you can also find that that does the other, and we have to avoid those. But as we understand the subject of justification, works of the law, deeds of the law, being under the law that we'll look at here in a moment, once you understand this, you realize that the two harmonize beautifully together. Their writings. There is no conflict in Scripture.

Notice James 2 and verse 20. The apostle James says, But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Did you see that faith was working together with works? And by works, faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way. In this verse from James and in some of Paul's writings, neither Paul nor James is addressing initial justification.

Again, that is accomplished only through faith and the sacrifice of Christ. It is only through his sacrifice that sins can be forgiven. However, both Paul and James speak about works of obedience to the law of God as evidence of Christ living within us. A Christian, one who is justified by faith in the sacrifice of Christ, will obey God and live according to his law. On the other hand, Paul makes it clear in Romans that our deeds, no matter how good they may be, do not forgive us of sin again. Obedience does not justify. Only Christ's sacrifice can do that. However, the believer must repent and begin to live a life of obedience. From one of our study papers on this subject, the study paper is entitled The Covenants of God. It's one of our doctrinal study papers.

It shares this on the subject. It says, the law is necessary because it defines right and wrong.

The answer to the question, how are we justified, is not obedience to the law. The answer is by the sacrifice of Christ, which alone brings forgiveness of sin. And to remain justified, through Christ in us to help us obey God, any effort to obey God on our own will not forgive us of past disobedience and will not enable us to meet God's requirements for us. Again, that's from one of our study papers.

Let's look at Galatians 2 and verse 16 next.

We looked at James' writings on this subject. Let's look at Paul's Galatians 2 and verse 16.

Here again, the Apostle Paul says, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, for by the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified. So right here, Paul is addressing the issue and answers these questions.

How are we justified? How do we meet God's requirements and become aligned with Him?

Initially, it is through repentance and having Christ's sacrifice applied to us.

This is the point at which we are justified through belief, faith, and repentance of our sins before God. But a couple questions we must answer as well. How do we maintain that obedient attitude as we continue to live life? And should that obedient life produce actual works of obedience? Paul answers these questions four verses later in verse 20. Galatians 2 and verse 20. Notice, he says, This is that Christian walk that you and I have and that we've continued to do since we were baptized. We recognize that coming with repentance and coming with the acceptance of Jesus Christ, putting Him on, remember, put on Christ to let Christ live within us, then we agree that we would follow in this example. Well, you don't follow someone just by belief. You don't follow someone just by emotion. You follow them through action. And we know this is our teaching and it goes way back within the Church of God. This is what being justified moves us towards, is works, working and following God. Not that those works somehow remove sin or those works make us justified by themselves, but by the Christian who wants to live as Christ lived, then our actions start to change. Our behaviors are the way that we talk to one another, the way that we care for one another.

And this goes back to the great commandment that we see asked of Jesus to love God first. And we'll look at this in a moment and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We don't just love someone through emotion. Love has an action component in how we look after one another. And so Paul is saying as Christ lives in him, then he is going to continue to live as in a new form of life, recognizing that as long as we live, Christ's sacrifice is always there as an atonement for our disobedience.

Concerning how we are justified, it does not matter how good our works may be. It does not matter how faithfully we obey the law of God. It does not matter how much we may help one another and be good people. Even obedience to the spiritual law will not forgive sin. However, faith, as we have seen, cannot be separated from obedience, even when it comes to initial justification. We cannot just believe in Christ's atoning sacrifice with no commitment to obey God and still expect to be justified. Let's look at the great commandment in Matthew 22 in verse 36.

I'm going to repeat a little bit what I said. I kind of jumped ahead in thought by referencing this, but it's good that we read it with our own eyes and recognize the significance of what Jesus himself taught. Matthew 22 verse 36, we know he was being questioned and being kind of trying to be trapped into giving an answer. He says, Teacher, which is the great commandment of the law, someone asked. Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord with your God, with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And so, we know we do that by being obedient to God, by coming together on his holy days, by coming together in his Sabbath days, by recognizing there is one God, not multiple gods, by not creating graven images, not creating little statues that we carry around or that we keep in our house to resemble God or to make us think about God.

He's saying, this is how we love him, is by following and doing the things that he's asked us to do. And he answers the lawyer, I believe it was here, with the second. He says, And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, on these two commandments, hang all the laws and the prophets.

So, if Christ is saying that the law is done away with, and Paul is saying that the law is done away with the nail to the cross, then what is these commandments that Jesus is talking about here, that the two can't, the two don't match up? We know that if we, that love again is not just an emotion that we feel of towards others, it is an emotion, but that's not the end of it.

That's the beginning of the way that we interact with one another through that emotion of love.

It's the way that we care, it's the way that we do things, it's the way that we're kind, it's the way that we apologize when we make a mistake or we hurt someone.

All of that shows the way that love is not just an emotion, love is an action.

So, when Paul talks about works of the law, he is very clearly reminding the listener that no amount of law-keeping will ever forgive sin or earn justification with God.

Christ's sacrifice alone will do that, but nowhere is he saying, though, that the commandments of God has been done away with or that Christians should not follow them. He's just not saying that.

So, as much as somebody wants to say that he is, he's not. Scripture is very clear on that.

Let's consider another term Paul uses in writings that has confused many.

The term under the law is translated from the Greek word that literally means under law.

Some have felt, though, that this expression means under the authority of the law, which it doesn't, or under the requirements of the law. You might have heard people use this phrase and sub in some of those other words into that phrase. That's not what the meaning of this is. That's not how it's being used in Scripture. The context of its use in passages, which we'll look at, and the entirety of Scripture, again, must be considered to fully understand Paul's usage of the phrase. The first occurrence of the term under law is in Romans 6, verse 14.

So let's go there next.

Romans 6.

I'm sorry, Romans. Yeah, Romans 6, I think 14 is the first use, but we're going to start reading verse 12. Romans 6. Yes, and verse 12.

Paul says here to his letter to the church in Rome, Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its west. So he's saying, what is sin? Sin is a transgression of God's will. So he's saying, don't let sin exist. It's not okay for sin to be part of our lives. Verse 13. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you. Again, if you don't have the law, then you can't have sin. He's saying, for sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. The context of what Paul is saying is a focus on the dire and deadly consequences of mankind having rejected God. This goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve, each eight of the forbidden tree, and because of our own free choice and our own human nature, we have at times shown no restraint, and we have all fallen short and we've all sinned. Earlier in the letter to the church in Rome, Paul gave a detailed list of types of sin that man has committed, starting in chapter one. Why don't we turn there?

We're not going to spend a lot of time in chapter one, but I just want you to understand the context is so critical as we have all been taught and we all continue to look at as we look at Scripture. So in chapter one, Paul's opening his letter to the church in Rome. He's giving his greetings, but towards the end, he starts going down this vast list of dire sins, some very shameful. One sins that we don't would never want our name to be to be next to.

Verse 22, he says, professing to be wise, they became fools because they did not they know God or professed that they knew God. He says, verse 24, therefore, God gave them up to uncleanness, and because they were they were bent on just doing things their own way. Verse 25, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator.

And so he goes on, and then as they get down to verse 28, they did not like to retain God in their knowledge. God gave them over to a debased mind to do the things which are not fitting. And then he starts this list, verse 29, being filled with unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, and he just goes on through being backbiters. All of these things that we'd want nothing to do with our lives.

We have to be fighting and battling to remove these components, or even remove the thoughts from even entering into our minds. We've got to allow God's Spirit to protect us. And so with this in mind, he moves into chapter 2 and establishes that the law is a necessary part of the foundation of a right relationship with God.

Let's look at verse 12, Romans 2 and verse 12. He says, For as many as have sinned without law, will also perish without law. And as many as sinned within the law will be judged by the law. For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.

Again, he's referencing back to justification and the expectation that the justified should walk with and follow God's laws. Again, not to be justified through law keeping, but to keep God's laws because we believe in Him and want to follow His instructions. The concept Paul is getting at is that in this passage in verse 12 and 13 is that the Jews who were given the law had sinned, and the Gentiles who had not been given the law had sinned.

It doesn't matter whether you receive the law or not, we've all fallen short of the standard and the walk that we should be given, we should follow our lives by. All have sinned and fallen short before God. The whole world stands guilty before God as we read earlier in Romans 3 verse 23. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So, getting back to Romans chapter 6, which we read just a bit ago, Paul opens by asking the question in verse 1, What shall we say then?

Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Then he answers it by saying, Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Which brings us up to the passage we opened up the second phrase under the law, which we again find used in Romans 6 verse 14, where he says, For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. Paul is again very careful to explain that law-keeping does not justify, only Jesus Christ's sacrifice can justify, but at the same time, law-keeping is necessary because it defines righteousness and sin.

Notice how he goes on to say in verse 15. So we're gonna continue to look in verse 15, the next verse. What then shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Again, he answers, Certainly not! We know that without the law, there is no definition for sin.

If you don't have the law, then you can't transgress something that doesn't exist. And so the law defines sin. We know that, and Paul references that here, and makes sure that we understand that. Verse 16, he says, Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be think that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered, that form of teaching. We have let God's laws in his way be written onto our hearts to follow him the way that he wants us to follow, which is through our actions.

And then verse 18, And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. So Paul again is making a sharp distinction between being under law and under grace. And while he does not define either term specifically, the context clearly shows that under grace has to do with a free gift from God, made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on behalf of mankind. The result of being under grace is that our sins are forgiven and we are promised eternal life. We are no longer under the penalty of the law, which is death.

However, we are cautioned not to return to the control of sin and its effects on our lives. By contrast, those under the law are described as ungodly, unrighteous, and disobedient. Notice verse 19. He says, leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

While all have sinned, those under grace have had their sins forgiven because of the acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to forgive their sins. The implication for those under law is that they have not repented and not accepted the sacrifice of Christ, and therefore their sins are not forgiven. The end of those under law is death, as we see in verse 22 and verse 23. Same passage. Romans 6 verse 22, but now having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness and the end everlasting life, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life and Christ Jesus our Lord.

An important distinction to make is that under law is not describing an approach by some who insist that we must come under the requirements and obligations of the law in order to be saved, again, as if that could even be possible, perfect lawkeeping to earn salvation. It's not possible.

The context of these chapters of Romans shows that under law has to do with sin and disobedience, which has a consequence of death. Under law then means being under condemnation that the law required because of the violation of the law. Hence, we would probably say under law could also be phrased under the penalty of the law. This is not the only place Paul references under the law. Let's look at a few additional spots as we begin to work towards the end of the message.

The first one will be 1 Corinthians 9 verse 19.

In 1 Corinthians 9 verse 19, we find Paul describing his approach to ministry and how he worked to become relatable to everyone that he shared God's word with. 1 Corinthians 9 verse 19.

Paul says, Again, Paul is saying here that he makes himself relatable to those that he's trying to help grow in God's grace and knowledge. He's not taking a superior attitude towards them that I know more or I'm better because I've been freed from the law. He's not trying to make himself puffed up, but he's trying to relate so that those listening can better understand him.

These people under the law still believe that their righteousness came through the keeping of the law. So Paul met them where they were at in the hope that he could explain correctly the right way to believe and follow God through faith in Christ. It's an approach that we often have taken in our lives or the minimum we should take as we interact with others who don't have knowledge. We could beat them over the head with our Bibles and with words that we know and mid-scriptures that we have memorized. We could overwhelm them with thoughts and ideas, or we could meet them where they're at, recognizing that they're trying to live a life according to God, or they're trying to work forward. They're trying to look to Scripture to be a source that they can better their life with. And so understanding where they're coming from and even acknowledging that they have some parts right. They have some understanding that's correct, but let me kind of walk with you and show you what the context of Scripture is, or walk with you and show you these other writings or the other aspects that maybe you don't understand. This is how Paul kind of approached others, and it's a way that we can approach people as well. You and I are blessed, so blessed, to understand that this word that we hold dearly to ourselves and that we have studied and we continue to read is the only source of truth that we're ever going to have in our lives.

This world, the further I continue to go along, as time continues to go along, the more I see people just searching for a truth that they can hang on to. Something that they can relate with, something that makes sense in their life, because everybody throws out these different ideas of truth, and they continue to be disappointed in these other sources. And they've been disappointed so many times that a new idea has come about that everybody can have their own ideal of truth. I don't know if you've heard people say that. What I believe is truth to me is my truth, and it's as good as your truth. And I'm not saying your truth is wrong, and you can't say that my truth is wrong.

I've defined truth for me, because so many people have been confused at life trying to find a source of truth, whether it's what somebody tells them, whether it's a law and government, whether it's God's Word, whether it's friends. Everybody's searching for truth, and they've been let down so many times by not being able to find something that holds as a source of truth that now they have created their own truth, and they walk their lives by it, and nobody can tell them that their truth is wrong. It's a very dangerous misconception that people have found and allowed themselves to be found into, but more and more people are prescribing to what they define as their own truth.

We have the truth that will never fail us in God's Word, and so we continue to look into it. We continue to be guided by it. We continue to walk and live our lives by it, and that's why we continue to dive into all aspects. We don't just look at New Testament. We don't just look at Old Testament.

We look at the complete works of God and then continue to let it live within us as we follow this truth. Another scripture that references under the laws in Galatians 5 and verse 18.

Another one of Paul's writings.

This one, if you don't know how to answer, it can be a very tricky one when somebody gives you just this one scripture by itself. And so this is one try to put to memory.

If you go home and study it more of what we look at and maybe even look at in some commentaries, because some of those will definitely lead you wrong on this one verse. We can't take this one verse by itself out of context and just say, well see, Paul says it right here, and we're going to examine and look at how this is supposed to be taken within the context of all of Paul's writings.

He didn't just say one thing over here and then forget that he ever believed or taught it and then says something way out over here in left field. But notice Galatians 5 and verse 8, but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Does this verse mean that if one is being led by the Spirit, then the law of God does not need to be followed or is not required?

Sounds pretty straightforward, right? I hope we're gaining, as I've mentioned, an understanding of what Paul's talking about in the book of Romans and Galatians now and can see that this is not what he is saying. Again, the context of this verse is the contrast between the works of the flesh and then the fruit of the Spirit. I may be very clear on that. He's not talking so much about lawkeeping. He's talking about the fruit that develops good fruit or bad fruit from the ways that we live our lives. Notice, let's back up. Let's look at Galatians 5 and verse 16, just two scriptures before this. This is why context is so important. What's he talking about here? Paul says verse 16, I say, walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh, for the lust for the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do you do not do the things that you wish. Notice here, now we're back to verse 18, but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. And then he goes into now the works of the flesh are evident, which, and then he starts building kind of like he did in Romans chapter 1, he starts building this list of things that should not be part of our lives, should not be part of our thoughts and our actions. And so he's making a contrast here to those who are being led by the Spirit of God versus those who follow God's laws and His commandments.

It's not that. Rather, the contrast is clearly between bad fruit and good fruit, the fruit that will be produced in the life of the individual led by the Spirit of God, which leads to eternal life in the kingdom of God. But if one is determined to continually live a life of evil works and ungodliness, then this will eventually bring with it the consequence, which is death. Christians should no longer be under the penalty of death because their sins have been forgiven, and they are living a life led by God's Spirit. And that brings us down to verse 22. So he's not making this contrast between being led by the Spirit of God versus those who follow God's laws and commandments. That's not what he's talking about. He's getting to this point in this in this passage here to verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. He's saying that if these are the fruits that are developing in our lives, if this is what is outwardly being shown, then we're not under the penalty of the law because we're letting God's Spirit lead us in a proper way. Again, like we look at this list, love, joy, peace, these are not just emotions.

These are not just feelings. These are actions. This is the way that we live our lives by. Being of a joyful mindset takes work on our parts, right? We got to flush out the negative things. We got to flush out the distractions and the discouragement that Satan throws towards us. And we have to say, no, my focus is on God. My joy remains whole regardless of the situations that work in my life.

Peace. Man, that takes work. You want to have to live at peace with your children. Live at peace with your spouses. Live at peace with your neighbors. Live at peace with your co-workers.

You don't just show up and say, I'm going to have a peaceful mind today. I'm going to have a peaceful motion today. No, it takes work. You got to pour into that. And so we can see that works are a component of following God and loving Him. Again, it doesn't earn us salvation or the forgiveness of sins, but it goes as a complementary aspect to our walk with God. Again, recapping the second phrase under the law helps us understand more clearly that all have sinned and consequently stand guilty before God. However, through the wonderful free gift from God made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we can be delivered from the penalty of death and live forever in the kingdom of God. Therefore, we are no longer under law, but under grace. Again, as we begin to conclude, these concepts of works of the law and under grace are from passages that people often take out of context to use and to say that the law was a burden, that it was oppressive, that Jesus came to do away with the law and to free us from its weights. But they forget or do not understand that the God of the Old Testament is also the word, Jesus Christ, who not only gave the law to mankind, but also died to free us from the penalty of eternal death. As Satan deceived Eve in the garden, saying, you will not surely die, that great lie that goes all the way back to the beginning of mankind's relationship with God.

Satan has deceived mankind into believing that Jesus came to free us from the law.

Satan has twisted the goodness of God into a freedom of sorts that goes against the thread that runs through Scripture, that Jesus came into the world, why? To save sinners. Right? We looked at that a while ago. 1 Timothy 1 verse 15. To seek and save that which was lost. Luke 19 verse 10. This is why Jesus came into the world. To redeem us to God. Revelation 5 verse 9. We have to always go back to why did Jesus Christ come as God in the flesh? It wasn't to free us from some kind of burdening law system. It was to redeem us. It was to make us to be able to be one with God, to be able to have our sins forgiven. This is the truth of Scripture, and this is why we follow the entirety of Scripture and we follow the commands of God.