Ok. And so we disagree? Did you look at the Scriptures I gave? Is there anywhere that I don't give the proper good sense from them?
Does your understanding also apply to any words we speak, are not works? Isn't lying, bearing false witness, and words of strife also an evil work?
It seems here, that you already have a reading of Eph 2, that must conclude confessing the Lord Jesus is not a work.
Instead of
if, wouldn't you rather say,
Since it's not a work, then saying so would make Roman 3 detract or contradict Eph 2?
Agreed. Not only is grace the gift of God, but also the faith to be saved and do His will, is the gift of God.
Eph{2:8} For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
'It' is the gift of both grace and faith of Jesus Christ, that we can now live by:
Gal 2:16Knowing 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.
Rev 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Only by His grace and faith can we walk as He walked.
Right. Beleiving alone is not a work. But, we're talking about
confession of faith with our mouth being a work, not believing alone.
The Bible says that if we believe from the heart, we shall confess with the mouth. One is belief in the heart alone, the other is confession of faith with the mouth.
That's also true, when it's our own works for reward. However, that's not true when doing the works of God by grace and faith of Jesus Christ. That's when He gets all the glory to boast of.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Eph{2:8} 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.
Not of any works, that man should boast of...?
Since works done through the faith of Jesus cannot be boasted of
by us, then the exclusion of works from saving faith, is of any works, that
we can boast of...The same goes for any works of righteousness, which we have done
without Christ.
I would have to say, that
if confession of faith is a work unto salvation, then in order not to detract from Eph 2, we'd have to conclude the gift of saving grace and faith is
only exclusive of our own works, whether good or bad, that are done for our own boasting without Christ.
True. We only need to repent of doing our own works, so that He gives us His grace and faith freely to only do His works.
Mark{1:15} The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
We do the repenting, and
the believing is from Jesus. We don't even get any glory nor boasting of having good faith toward God.
Heb {6:1} Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
We don't
will ourselves to believe God, but simply receive His gift with a whole heart, to do His will alone.
