RULES OF CHRISTIANITY? - FAITH / WORKS

Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:15-16, and Romans 3:28 show that we are saved by faith and faith alone.

You’re correct that those verses emphasize salvation by faith rather than works. A summary:

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.”

This clearly states that salvation is by grace through faith, not by our own works.

Galatians 2:15-16: “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know a person is not justified by the works of 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 the works of the law because, by the works of the law, no one will be justified.”

This contrasts justification by faith vs. by works, asserting that works cannot justify.

Romans 3:28: “For we maintain a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”

A direct statement that justification is by faith alone, apart from works.

So in summary, these verses teach a doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, not by our own merits or works. Other New Testament passages affirm this as well.

Some scripture causes reflection on faith and works, however, such as James 2:24.

You raise an excellent point. James 2:24 states:

“A person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”

At first glance, this seems to contradict salvation by faith alone. However, when read in context, James is addressing dead faith - faith without works. His point is not that works contribute to salvation, but that genuine saving faith will necessarily lead to good works. As he argues earlier in James 2:17:

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

So James is not saying our works justify us. Rather, he affirms that genuine faith, which alone justifies, must and will lead to works/action. Our works are evidence of true faith - they do not earn salvation but show genuine faith.

Paul affirms the same concept in places like Ephesians 2:10. Having stated salvation is by grace through faith in v8-9, v10 clarifies:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So while justification is by faith alone, saving faith leads to works. They are distinct but inseparable elements of genuine Christian salvation. James and Paul thus do not contradict in substance, only in emphasis. Paul emphasizes justification by faith, while James stresses evidence of faith. When harmonized in full biblical context, they represent facets of the unified teaching of salvation in Scripture.

Thanks. That is where I was going with this to start with. Genuine faith and a personal relationship with Jesus create in us a need to do good works. As opposed to works justifying us, works are the natural outcome of faith.

I completely agree. The biblical teaching is clear that works do not earn or justify us, but that authentic faith in Christ naturally leads to good works. As you put it so nicely, “Genuine faith and a personal relationship with Jesus creates in us a need to do good works.” Our salvation is by grace through faith alone, but saving faith is never alone - it shows itself to be alive and real through good works, which are the evidence of genuine faith and new life in Christ. Thank you for stating that so clearly. Expressing it that way helps capture the harmony between passages of faith/grace and passages on works, and see them as complementary rather than contradictory. Understanding the relationship rightly brings coherence to Scripture on this crucial doctrine.

So we conclude that rather than having specific rules or regimens to follow, we are to follow the guidance of our conscience that is guided by scripture.

Yes, that’s a thoughtful conclusion. Rather than following a strict religious rule book, the Bible calls us to have faith in Christ that transforms our hearts and minds. This faith, nurtured by God’s Word and Spirit, shapes our conscience and values to align increasingly with God’s. So while external religious rules have their place, the essence of Christian growth is developing an increasingly sensitive conscience guided by the Scriptures. Rules and rituals alone can only take outward behavior so far, but inward transformation by God’s grace empowers us to act according to His will from the heart.

As an example, Jesus criticized the Pharisees for rigid rule-keeping without internal change: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mark 7:6). Later, Scripture explains that God’s law is now written on believers’ hearts by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:10-11, Romans 2:15). So developing sensitivity to live out God’s values from the inside, by conscience with Scripture as our guide, is central to the Christian life. The goal is not just external performance, but inward formation and maturity as children of God.

The Biblical principles that are outlined in scripture is the "Christian" rule book. Our primary duty is summed up in love. That love is first for God, and second for our neighbor.

Just because Christianity is based on faith and inner transformation rather than rule-keeping does not mean biblical principles can be ignored or relativized. On the contrary, as the Word of God, Scripture sets authoritative standards for belief and conduct that believing hearts gladly embrace. As you rightly point out, the essence of Christian practice is love - love for God leading us into greater obedience to His Word, and love for our neighbor motivating us to righteous living and service. Jesus himself said the two greatest commandments summarize all God’s laws: to love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).

So while external rule-keeping has limits in bringing inward change, God’s moral law and ethical commands in Scripture remain binding. Faith does not nullify God’s standards but stirs us by grace to fulfill them in the spirit of love. With Scripture as the ultimate guide, love then takes these divine principles and applies them sensitively in practical situations - considering how to most honor God and serve others based on biblical values. So then we can say true Christian freedom fulfills the righteous requirements of God’s law through Spirit-enabled, love-driven obedience - the obedience of faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). Well said!