What is the difference between works of the Law and works of the Spirit

zoidar

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That is a wonderful question and it has been the matter of controversy for almost 2,000 years. There are many who assert that when the Apostle Paul speaks of "works of the Law" he is simply referring to the ceremonial laws of the Jewish people. However, this interpretation is unlikely since Paul speaks of the Gentiles obeying the Law by their inward conscience in Romans 2:14. How can the Gentiles be said to obey the Law if it only referred to ceremonial laws? Moreover, in chapter 3 of the same epistle the Apostle states that the Law shuts us up under the condemnation of God and convicts us of our sin and insufficiency to save ourselves (Romans 3:19-20). Again, how can the Law be said to condemn us and show us our sin if it only included the laws of circumcision and dietary restrictions? Another place to go to is Romans 7 where Paul explains that the believer has been divorced from the Law and married to Christ. He then goes on to say that when he attempted to obey the Law he was unable to do so. The key part is where he mentions the specific commandment he couldn't keep which was the 10th commandment, "Yet if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet. But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the Law, sin lies dead." (Romams 7:7b-8).
Another point that I would like to bring up is that when Paul speaks in other places of justification being by faith he also mentions it being excluded from works in a general sense. For example, in Titus 3:5 the Apostle states, "...he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." Notice how the Apostle says "works done by us in righteousness" which without a doubt clearly shows that he does not only have the ceremonial laws in mind.
Augustine also has the same view in relation to this. He says, "'Although, therefore, the apostle seems to reprove and correct those who were being persuaded to be circumcised, in such terms as to designate by the word “law” circumcision itself and other similar legal observances, which are now rejected as shadows of a future substance by Christians who yet hold what those shadows figuratively promised; he at the same time, nevertheless, would have it to be clearly understood that the law, by which he says no man is justified, lies not merely in those sacramental [ceremonial] institutions which contained promissory figures, but also in those works by which whosoever has done them lives holily, and amongst which occurs this prohibition: “Thou shalt not covet.”...Is it possible to contend that it is not the law which was written on those two tables that the apostle describes as “the letter that killeth,” but the law of circumcision and the other sacred rites which are now abolished? But then how can we think so, when in the law occurs this precept, “Thou shalt not covet,” by which very commandment, notwithstanding it being holy, just, and good, “sin,” says the apostle, “deceived me, and by it slew me?” What else can this be than “the letter” that “killeth.”'
Thomas Aquinas also notices this observation in his commentary on Romans 3 where he also says, '"However, a work of the Law is of two kinds: one is peculiar to the Mosaic Law, as the observance of ceremonial precepts; the other is a work of the Law of nature, because it pertains to the natural law, as "Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal," etc. Now some take the Apostle’s words as referring to the first works, namely, that the ceremonials did not confer the grace through which men are made just. But this does not seem to be the Apostle’s intent, for he immediately adds: "since through the law comes knowledge of sin." But it is clear that sins are made known through prohibitions contained in the moral precepts. Consequently, the Apostle intends to say that by no works of the Law, even those commanded by the moral precepts, is man justified in the sense that justice would be caused in him by works, because, as he states below (11:6): "But if it is by grace it is no longer on the basis of works."'
Therefore, it is safe to assume that "works of Law" not only refer to the ceremonial laws prescribed but also the moral precepts and commandments of God. As to what works of the Spirit are, I would claim that any form of obedience, love, or good work done by the believer from a principle of grace would be considered works by the Spirit. A text to look at is Galatians 5:16-18 which states, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." From this we can conclude that works done through the assistance of the Spirit and from a gracious principle are the works of the Spirit.
Why then the distinction? I believe because if someone is under the moral precepts of the Law they will be under its condemnation. Now those who are under the Law are in bondage to sin and are accursed by God. Sin, therefore, will be aroused by the commandments to further increase its wickedness as the Apostle spoke of in Romans 7 in regards to coveting. With this the sinner begins to hate God (Romans 8:7) because they see Him as their Malefactor and Judge who will righteously condemn them. Because of this, all of their obedience, strivings against sins, prayers and mortifications are done from a legal standpoint. They do these works to justify themselves before God only to realize more and more their utter insufficiency of their own righteousness. They are, as the Apostle says, "held captive under the law," (Galatians 3:23), who also "being ignorant of the righteousness of God," they seek to "establish their own." (Romans 10:3). But after they are justified by grace, their works are done not like how a slave would obey their master, but how a son would obey their father. The greatest difference between both works is that one is done out of legal fear and dread, whereas the other is done out of love.

I liked your post. I do have questions. You write:

The greatest difference between both works is that one is done out of legal fear and dread, whereas the other is done out of love.

Do you mean it's only those works done out of love and no fear that is by the Spirit? We are to have "fear of God", right? Doesn't that mean that sometimes following the Spirit can be very scary and hard, yet it's a work lead by the Holy Spirit?
 
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Neogaia777

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I liked your post. I do have questions. You write:



Do you mean it's only those works done out of love and no fear that is by the Spirit? We are to have "fear of God", right? Doesn't that mean that sometimes following the Spirit can be very scary and hard, yet it's a work lead by the Holy Spirit?
Were not supposed to live in fear of losing our salvation if we are a believer, it's a different kind of fear than that.

His greatness/highness compared to our smallness kind of thing, but not supposed to be ever fear of losing our salvation, or of God not loving us ever if we are a believer ever, etc.

And it's a funny thing really, because if we could ever lose it over anything, it would be that latter kind of fear, or wrong kind of fear, that could do it more than anything, since it's so contrary and counterproductive and so directly opposed, and contrary, to the true purposes of God and how He wants us to be and/or live out our lives, and be in our lives, etc...?

Anyway,

God Bless!
 
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zoidar

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Were not supposed to live in fear of losing our salvation if we are a believer, it's a different kind of fear than that.

His greatness/highness compared to our smallness kind of thing, but not supposed to be ever fear of losing our salvation, or of God not loving us ever if we are a believer ever, etc.

And it's a funny thing really, because if we could ever lose it over anything, it would be that latter kind of fear, or wrong kind of fear, that could do it more than anything, since it's so contrary and counterproductive and so directly opposed, and contrary, to the true purposes of God and how He wants us to be and/or live out our lives, and be in our lives, etc...?

Anyway,

God Bless!

Are you an OSAS?

God bless!
 
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Neogaia777

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Are you an OSAS?

God bless!
I believe that if one can lose their salvation they never truly had it to begin with.

And I don't agree at all with any mere man or person or human being at all ever being truly able to determine that for anyone at all ever also, etc.

And it really "gets to me" when I see people who think they can or do, or when they try to or think they can or do.

Some people need to figure it out and get it through their thick heads that "they are not God" if you ask me, etc.

God Bless!
 
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zoidar

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I believe that if one can lose their salvation they never truly had it to begin with.

And I don't agree at all with any mere man or person or human being at all ever being truly able to determine that for anyone at all ever also, etc.

And it really "gets to me" when I see people who think they can or do, or when they try to or think they can or do.

Some people need to figure it out and get it through their thick heads that "they are not God" if you ask me, etc.

God Bless!

Thanks, just wanted to know your stance.
 
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aiki

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Not according to Paul.

In Romans 2:3-5 and Romans 2:17-24 it is clear that the "works of the Law" folks were not keeping the letter of the law at all -

17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.

Gal 6:13 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves,


God does not say of them "they have perfect obedience but their whole heart is just not in it"

In the passages from Romans 2 you've cited, Paul never says of the Jews about whom he was writing that they were doers of the law. He says they knew the law, and taught others to keep it, but were themselves in violation of it. I don't, then, see how they contradict what I wrote. The hypocritical Jews were not doing the works of the law and so they are not examples of people doing the works of the law without fulfilling the letter of the law.

As for the Judaizers whom Paul mentions in Galatians 6, he says only that they had been circumcised (an event over which they had no control) but were not keeping the law. How is this a contradiction to my comment about the works of the law fulfilling the letter of the law? Like the Roman Jews Paul castigated, the Jews pressing the Galatians Gentiles to be circumcised were also not doing the works of the law and so were not fulfilling the letter of the law.
 
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BobRyan

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In the passages from Romans 2 you've cited, Paul never says of the Jews about whom he was writing that they were doers of the law. He says they knew the law, and taught others to keep it

Because as Romans 8:4-10 points out - the lost "do not submit to the law of God neither indeed CAN they" by contrast to the saved who walk by the Spirit.



As for the Judaizers whom Paul mentions in Galatians 6, he says only that they had been circumcised (an event over which they had no control) but were not keeping the law. How is this a contradiction to my comment about the works of the law fulfilling the letter of the law? Like the Roman Jews Paul castigated, the Jews pressing the Galatians Gentiles to be circumcised were also not doing the works of the law and so were not fulfilling the letter of the law.

IN Romans 2:13 the "doers" are "justified" in the future judgment day of God Rom 2:16

Is this the point you are making?
 
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Hazelelponi

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I know, I'm asuming something here. Let us just stick to what Paul means by works of the Law and works of the Spirit. As always, be kind to each other, and encourage each other in faith.

Christ love,
Peter

Works of the law are done by human effort and can be done by anyone. Works of the Spirit are born out of man's new nature that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

In my honest opinion.

They both can appear the same, but the heart behind them is different.
 
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aiki

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Because as Romans 8:4-10 points out - the lost "do not submit to the law of God neither indeed CAN they" by contrast to the saved who walk by the Spirit.

What law is in view here? The universal Moral Law written upon the hearts of all humanity (Romans 2:14-15)? Or the Mosaic Laws of ceremony and separation? It seems pretty evident to me that in the case of Romans 8:7-8, Paul is talking about fleshly people who, because of their fleshly orientation, cannot keep the Moral Law of God. I say Moral Law, because Paul has already explained in earlier chapters that in Christ the born-again believer finds freedom from the letter of the Mosaic Law (Romans 7:6). No man, however, is ever free from the Moral Law of God which is established in both Old and New Testaments (unlike the OT Mosaic Law which is expressly set aside in the NT).

In any case, you still have not shown my earlier statement to be false: Works of the Law fulfill the letter of the law while works of the Spirit fulfill the spirit of the Law.

IN Romans 2:13 the "doers" are "justified" in the future judgment day of God Rom 2:16

Is this the point you are making?

If you'll read again my first post in this thread, the point I was making is stated pretty clearly in it, I think. Let me quote from it:

"Part of the difference here is related to the Christian's motive for obedience. A legalistic adherence to God's commands typically arises from fear, duty, obligation and/or religious pride. A work of the Spirit, on the other hand, is the natural by-product of obedience to the First and Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-38; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

A work of the Law often arises out of a hypocritical concern with externalities, from a desire to be seen to fulfill the Law of God even if one's heart is far from Him. Consider the hypocritical law-keeping of the Pharisees (Mark 7:6). The idea is that one must do the right thing rather than be the right person. That is, a work of the law is a legalistic, appearances-centered effort to obey rather than a natural, joyful manifestation of loving fellowship with God."

Works of the Law are often the preoccupation of those who feel they can, by dint of their own obedient effort, move themselves closer to God, or earn His favor and grace. It is a subtle move of Self to intrude into the work of God, perhaps even to share in the glory of His saving, transforming work.

Galatians 2:16
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."
 
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Alain Valdivia

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I liked your post. I do have questions. You write:



Do you mean it's only those works done out of love and no fear that is by the Spirit? We are to have "fear of God", right? Doesn't that mean that sometimes following the Spirit can be very scary and hard, yet it's a work lead by the Holy Spirit?
By fear, I mean legal terror. What I mean is this: there are some believers out there who’s only reason for obeying God is to escape hell and His wrath. They see Him not as a Father, but as a Cruel Master. Their obedience is that of a slave and not of a son. Anyone who obeys God solely for the purpose of escaping His wrath doesn’t please Him at all. It’s all done out of selfish motives. But once a person is justified, their legal fear of God is lessened and they are able to approach Him as a Father and thus their obedience flows out of charity and love to Him. As Augustine says, love makes all difficult things easy. So then even the most difficult commands of God become more bearable when we have love to Him.
And yes, there should be some fear of God’s wrath. However, it should not reach to the degree of fear that a slave has to his master. A son loves his father, but he still fears the rod. But the son doesn’t live in despair and despondency because of this fear. Rather, it is a healthy fear that keeps him on the way of obedience.
The problem with those who obey God out of fear is that inwardly they hate Him. They despise God and if they had the opportunity to take God off His throne without any consequence, they would. This is clear from Romans 8:7-8, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” For unless a man is justified by grace he will always seek to establish his own righteousness by works of the Law which are works done out of legality and obligation. All of them that seek to obey God in this way are under a curse because they are under the curse of the Law, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."”‭‭ (Galatians‬ ‭3:10‬). Indeed, it is for this very reason that they hate God and are hated by Him, “for the law brings wrath.” (Romans 4:15).
 
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BobRyan

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Works of the law are done by human effort and can be done by anyone.

"Doers of the Law" -- the only ones justified.

Rom 2:13 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

"Works of the Law" are 'apart from faith' and leave the lost... lost.

"work of the Law written on the heart" is the New Covenant result of the work of the Holy Spirit
 
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Hazelelponi

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"Doers of the Law" -- the only ones justified.

Rom 2:13 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

"Works of the Law" are 'apart from faith' and leave the lost... lost.

"work of the Law written on the heart" is the New Covenant result of the work of the Holy Spirit

Funny how you completely ignored half my post.
 
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BobRyan

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What law is in view here? The universal Moral Law written upon the hearts of all humanity (Romans 2:14-15)?

Yep.. the one where the "First commandment with a promise" is the 5th commandment. Eph 6:2

Christ quotes from it in Matthew 19.... before the cross.
Paul quote from it in Rom 13... after the cross.
James 2 quotes from it and reminds us that "he who breaks one breaks them all"
 
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