Works we must do and works we must not do!
A. In reality!
Every society has set of rules for people to follow!
It is a citizen’s duty to abide by the set of rules called constitution!
When one lives within the line of rules he is considered a good citizen.
When one lives as an outlaw, he is considered an evil person, a criminal!
B. As a child of God living in a society!
1. Ro.13:1-2--> Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently,
he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,
and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
2. 1 Peter 2:13--> Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority
instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority.
3. Therefore, a child of God is always a law abiding person where he lives!
C. The life of a Christian. Eph.5:8-11
1. Eph.5:8-11--> For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the
Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
2. 1Jn 1:5-7--> And this is the message which we have heard from him and
announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie,
and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son,
purifies us from all sin.
D. Works we must not do and works we must do. Eph.2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1. For 1000s of years the Jews are boasting that they have the Law of Moses.
And they are proud to be obeying it all the time!
But as a matter of facts, they are doing neither!
All you need is read the books of the prophets and what Jesus said!
2. “Not by works” in Eph.2:9 is about works of the law of Moses.
This is one specific works that we cannot even mention!
Read Heb.6:20, 7:11-14, Num.3:5-13
then you know this is one thing we cannot do and cannot even think about doing it!
This is why Paul called those who tried to teach people to obey the law of Moses as dogs!
Acts 15:1, Phil.3:2
Anyone who thinks about keeping the law of Moses makes Jesus a sinner!
For Heb.6:20 says Jesus is the high priest, the law of Moses says only
a Levite can be a priest, Jesus is from Judah!
Leah sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah.
3. We are created in Christ to do good works! Eph.2:10
These “good works” are works springing from our piety toward God!
These are works we must do! And this is why Paul called it good works!
E. Conclusion: Gal.2:16
Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in
Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be
justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law,
because by observing the law no one will be justified.