INIQUITY,CHARITY AND FAITH
The following scriptures are enlightening and show how we are to be as Christians.They also help us to see how to reconcile apparently contradictory statements by Paul and James.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)
Iniquity - anomia
Thayer Definition:
1) the condition of without law
1a) because ignorant of it
1b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness
Strongs Definition
From G459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing…..And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”(I Corinthians 13:1-3,13)
Charity - agape
Thayer definition:
1) brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence
2) love feasts
Strong’s definition:
From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast:
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”(James 2:14-17)
Faith - pistis
Thayer Definition:
conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
1a) relating to God
1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
1b) relating to Christ
1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
1c) the religious beliefs of Christians
1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
2) fidelity, faithfulness
2a) the character of one who can be relied on
Strong’s defintion
From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:
The above is clear concerning the nature of the works done by those whom the Lord rejected and those whom Paul said were nothing.
They did:
“speak with the tongues of men and of angels”
“have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge”
“have all faith, so that I could remove mountains”
“bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned”
I Corinthians 13.
And similarly they also:
“have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
Matthew 7:22
These works refer to persons ministering in the name of the Lord by doing miraculous acts etc., and not to works of righteousness as some would like to think.Notice Jesus said only those doing the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of God.Hence those doing the mighty works were not doing the will of the Father.(See;I Corinthians 12:1-31)
The aim of Jesus and Paul is to show that the ability or gift to do these works are not a sign that one is accepted by the Lord or that one is something.The actions which bring acceptance and which allow you to be something in His sight are;to not work iniquity or not do wickedness and to have charity or love which are defined above and charity is further explained in the passage speaking of the same.(I Corinthians 13:4-7)
Paul confirms the importance of love in the life of the child of God when he says:
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”(Galatians 5:6)
The facets of love are further explained by Paul:
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”(Romans 13:8-10)
The, “faith which worketh by love”, is that which leads James to state clearly:
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
The works are works of love and this corresponds to Paul’s statement about the same and puts into context the relationship between faith and works.The persons who, “worketh iniquity” ,lack love and are rejected by the Lord. Those who lack charity also are nothing according to Paul and hence the working of iniquity,the lack of charity and the absence of the appropriate works,according to Jesus,Paul and James will see these persons failing to enter the Kingdom of God.
Hence Paul says:
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”(I Corinthians 13:13)
Jesus puts it this way:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”(John 8:31,32)
James is in perfect agreement when he says:
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”(James 2:24)
Is this understanding in contradiction to statements like:
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."[Romans 3:28;Galatians 2:16]
Or
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”(Romans 4:2)
When the complete context is considered there is no contradiction. As was said in another study:
“We cannot free ourselves from the curse of the law.Only the death of one who was just could do this great work of reconciliation with God.[Deuteronomy 11:26-29;27: 11-26;28: 15-19;Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:15;10:1-10; I Peter 1:18-21;2:24, 25;Romans 3:22,23.]
For neither the blood of bulls and goats(works of the law) nor our good works(works of righteousness) could redeem us from the consequences of sin.[Romans 3:20;Romans 6:23;Ezekiel 20:24,25;Romans 9:31,32; Titus 3:5;Hebrews 10:1-14;Galatians 2:16;3:19,24- 26]”
The persons who benefit from this blessing will be in a position like that of the thief on the cross.
The attitude of one of the thieves was one of unbelief. He said:
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”(Luke 23:39)
The other showed reverence and believed in Christ while confessing he had done wrong.He asked for mercy:
“But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”(Luke 23:40-42)
Jesus granted him his wish and he was saved as he died and did not have the occasion to fall into sin again:
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”(Luke 23:43)
Hence he was:
“…justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Not all are in this position for all of their remaining lives and in fact most may be in one similar to the woman caught in adultery.
The woman was found guilty of breaking the command:
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."[Exodus 20:14]
According to the law she was to have been stoned to death.[Leviticus 20:10;John 8:5]
Grace was exercised and Jesus said:
"...Neither do I condemn thee.."[John 8:11]
However at the end of it all, she was told :
"...go and sin no more. " [John 8:11,See Romans 6:1,2]
Hence,even though grace alone freed her from the penalty of sin she was not expected to continue in iniquity as she continued to live. She was to show love/charity by no longer committing adultery.
It is the same now, as we access this grace by faith,we are to practice the "good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."[Ephesians 2:8-10]
If not we are said to be among those who:
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."[ Titus 1:16]
Are such persons still saved?
We should rather be found among these:
"Little children,let no man deceive you:he that doeth righteousness,is righteous even as he is righteous."[ I John 3:7]