[Rom 3:27-31 KJV] 27 Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans chapter 3 clearly says a man is justified without the “deeds of the law” (external works). And remember what it says about the law in Romans 7:14, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. And Hebrews 7:16, “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”
The law of faith, which is the spiritual law, is followed by internal works of faith. The carnal commandment, which is the physical law, is followed by external works.
These are two different “laws” the Bible talks about.
To understand the paradox of salvation by faith vs works, the difference between these “laws” must be understood.
[Gal 2:16 KJV] 16 Knowing 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.
Galatians chapter 2 reinforces Romans 3. It says that man is not justified by “the works of the law” but by faith in Jesus Christ”. The law being discussed here again seems to be external works of the law (carnal commandments).
Titus chapter 3 has more to say about the law.
[Tit 3:1-7 KJV] 1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus chapter 3 says he was “saved” by God’s mercy (washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost) and “not by works of righteousness”, even though he was “sometimes” disobedient toward the outward law.
[Heb 11:1-3, 39 KJV] 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. ... 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
It says faith is the evidence of things of hoped for, but faith only does not guarantee a promise is fulfilled. This is where works come into play.
Now then James chapter 2 seems to say that one is then saved by works (not faith only), but what kind of works is it talking about?
[Jas 2:21-26 KJV] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Remember there are two laws. A spiritual law within and the law of external works (deeds of the law).
When God talked to Abraham he believed him, and this faith is what made him offer his son, and with his offering he demonstrated his faith. Abraham was not following any kind of “works of righteousness” when he offered his son on the altar, and Rahab was not strictly following any “carnal commandment” of the law when she received the messengers and found “another way”. These were works that demonstrated their faith in what God had promised. These “works” or deeds were not some statute or carnal law to be followed. When real faith comes, it is the substance of things hoped for, and it is the evidence of things not yet seen. And so then, to have real faith one does things that demonstrate that faith, or it becomes dead and worthless (unfruitful). Real faith is not blind, it is the evidence itself, it is the substance of what is hoped for, therefore actions or “works” are executed simply because of the that faith. Works of faith are done because one understands the law of “cause and effect” (you reap what you sow, you get what you give, etc.). You have to “work” towards something you believe in. Whereas, works of righteousness or following some carnal list of rules is done out of fear and misunderstanding through the carnal mind and seeing carnal commandment rather than understanding the law is spiritual.
[Eph 2:8-9 KJV] 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The purpose of the deed done must be understood for one to be saved by grace through faith and therefore justified by works that prove that faith. This is the gift.
[2Co 3:6-8 KJV] 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
The letter “engraven” on the stones was glorious, but the ministration of the spiritual law is more so.
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
[Rom 8:2, 4-7 KJV] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ... 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The carnal mind is the ministration of death, written in the engraven stones, but the Spirit giveth life and establishes the spiritual law within man’s heart rather than on tables of stone. This is the law of faith. Not only does the Bible imply one is saved by faith, but if one thinks they can be saved by “works of righteousness”, this is “death”, and against God, because it is the carnal egotistical mind that thinks this way.
[Eze 36:26 KJV] 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
The spiritual law is established inside, when your heart understands true love. It starts from within, not from external works.
[Gal 4:19 KJV] 19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Jesus Christ is formed in you.
[Col 1:27-28 KJV] 27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Christ Jesus is in you.
[1Ti 2:15 KJV] 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
We travail in birth (childbearing) to form Christ within, and continue in faith and love.
See past posts on the Spiritual Laws of God for further insight on this subject.