Doing In Faith

Doing In Faith

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11

We are used to speaking about faith in two ways. We sometimes speak about faith apart from works, and at other times we speak about faith accompanied by works. Just as a craftsman speaks about the material in various ways and a gardener speaks of a tree sometimes being barren and sometimes bearing fruit, so the Holy Spirit speaks in Scripture in various ways about faith. Sometimes Scripture refers to an abstract or absolute faith. Other times it refers to faith as it appears outwardly, as it relates to other things, or as we live it out. Faith is absolute and not connected to other things when the Scripture speaks absolutely about justification or those who are justified, as we can see in Romans and Galatians.

But when Scripture speaks of rewards and works, it’s speaking of faith as it relates to other things—how it appears or how we live it out. The Bible gives several examples of this faith. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love”(Galatians 5:6). “Do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28). “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). “The man who does these things will live by them” (Galatians 3:12). “Turn from evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14). There are countless verses like this in Scripture. In these and similar verses where “doing” is mentioned, Scripture always speaks of “doing in faith.” If you have faith, then you are able to do good works.