Swearing By The Gold

Some may not think this applies but I believe it does.

Jesus made application based upon a broad foundation that carried the authority of all things under it. It is similar to our discussion on Grace.

We all agree grace is in the basis of all salvation, though it is God's nature that is even greater than grace, salvation is from God not from a theory. He is the God of all grace. Grace only theology in essence may not recognize God and all things flowing from him.  Grace isn't the broader concept, but God is. Grace only in a way makes grace the foundation.

Mat 23:16  Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 

Mat 23:17  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 

Mat 23:18  And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 

Mat 23:19  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 

Mat 23:20  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 

Mat 23:21  And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 

Mat 23:22  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 

This is a lesson on recognizing that some smaller elemets fall under a broader element.

Fools and Blind is Jesus description of those who dismiss parts of a stream of authority. Like saying grace is all there is even though there are elements down the line that fall under grace.

All Grace is a different statement than Grace only. All faith is different than faith only. Grace you might say is the altar and all things streaming from grace are the details of the altar. Which is greater, the gold covering the wood or the wood supporting the gold, certainly the gold is more apparent, but not necessarily more important.

Both the gold and the wood made up the altar, but the sacrifice is still necessary to effect the relationship with God.

Also, someone had to bring the sacrifice, and though it seems a minor point, that takes work. Others building the altar and making the sacrifice is a grace you may have had nothing to do with, but you bring the sacrifice.

Those who dismiss works because of grace, are blind so to speak, works that please God come from grace and are a product of it. Yet, we have to crucify our desires to follow Christ. We take up our cross and follow. We sacrifice ourselves, God doesn't do that for us.

Many claim salvation flows in one direction, all grace, but grace isn't the foundation of salvation, God is. Salvation, because it involves two living entities is about communication and relationship.

Works relate to relationship as much as faith does. Ask a mother feeding her baby.

Rom 5:15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 

What if God stopped at grace the concept, and never gave the gift, a work? Plus,  ask which is more directly important to salvation.

We may ask which is greater, the gift or grace, or which produces the other. So it is with all aspects of salvation. Faith and works, which is more important, which comes first?

Some argue faith comes before works, but faith comes by hearing, and hearing is a work as is reading.

Works actually preceded faith. He who has ears to hear, let him hear was Jesus statement.

We can even say that Love preceded grace.

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

God

Love

Grace

Gift

Gospel

Faith

works

baptism

justification

atonement

love

service

confession

resurrection

gift of righteousness

life eternal

Which did not begin with God himself. Which does not fall under his beginning work of creation.

If faith is a gift, works coming from faith are equally a gift.

Lutherans do not believe that good works are a factor in obtaining salvation

Lutherans are swearing by the gold so to speak, as are other faith only groups.

so why do people misunderstand Paul, he is dealing with origin , not process. Good works are a factor in salvation, don't let anyone lie to you.

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

Rom 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

It is a question about the origin of God's love. Not a question of process. God loved while we were yet sinners.

Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 

After loving Jacob, he sent him on a journey to inherit the promise. It started with love, then grace, and works were part of the process but down the line.