Post a thread discussing the difference between obedience to the law, that is, to the will of God, and
"salvation by works". Your thread must be at least 400 words long and contain at least two references to
the reading assignment for Module One in McQuilken and Copan. You should also cite scripture in
relevant ways in your thread. (Don't forget to include a word-count with your post). Due by 11:59 p.m.
(ET) on Thursday of Module/Week 1
Obedience to the Law
God's law gives us direction, not justification. Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not
justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ
Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the
works of the law no flesh shall be justified" It is our duty to obey God's law. Ecclesiastes 12:13,
tells us that we are to "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of
man." As stated in Psalm 119:9-10, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed
according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from
Your commandments!” By seeking God and being faithful He guides us and gives us direction
within our lives.
While is sounds easy to be obedient to God’s law we need to make sure that we are not confusing
the law. McQuilken and Copan state within their book An Introduction to Biblical Ethics:
walking in the way of wisdom that we should not make the “assumption that obedience to the law
is a means of salvation or status before God”.[1] McQuilken and Copan go on to further state
that there is a danger in trying to be “obedient through self-effort rather than relying on the Spirit
and grace of God”. [2]
Salvation by Works
Salvation by works seems right in the eyes of man. One of man’s basic desires is to be in control
of his own destiny, and that includes his eternal destiny. Salvation by works appeals to man’s
pride and his desire to be in control. Being saved by works appeals to that desire far more than
the idea of being saved by faith alone. Also, man has an inherent sense of justice. Even the most
ardent atheist believes in some type of justice and has a sense of right and wrong, even if he has
no moral basis for making such judgments. Our inherent sense of right and wrong demands that
if we are to be saved, our “good works” must outweigh our “bad works.” Therefore, it is natural
that when man creates a religion it would involve some type of salvation by works.
Because salvation by works appeals to man’s sinful nature, it forms the basis of almost every
religion except for biblical Christianity. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that “there is a way that seems
right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Salvation by works seems right to men, which is
why it is the predominantly held viewpoint. That is exactly why biblical Christianity is so
different from all other religions it is the only religion that teaches salvation is a gift of God and
not of works.
McQuilkin, Robertson and Paul Copan. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the way of wisdom.
Downers Grove: IL, InterVarsity Press
