Saved by Faith

As Christians, we believe we must have faith in order to be saved. And the Bible confirms this.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

So since the Bible says we can be justified by having faith, many Christians interpret this to mean that we no longer need to keep the law.

Galatians 2:16 (NLT) Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. […] For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.

Many go as far as to say that the law was abolished at the crucifixion. So because of this, people do not think it’s necessary to keep the observance of the Sabbath day, the Passover and the feasts of God.

Colossians 2:14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. […] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

The Bible says we are saved as long as we have faith and believe in Jesus Christ. So is the World Mission Society Church of God wrong for keeping the law?

Is there no law?

While Apostle Paul did say in the book of Romans, we are justified by faith, he also added:

Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Apostle Paul said that through our faith in Christ we can be saved but it does not mean that we should not keep the law. Then why did he continue to write in his letters to the Colossians and Galatians that we no longer need to keep the law?

Is Apostle Paul, or better yet, the Bible contradictory about the matter of the law in the New Testament?

1 Corinthians 9:20 (NLT) When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

The answer is no. The Bible is not contradictory. Apostle Paul clarified that there are two kinds of laws — there is the Law of Moses in the Old Testament and the Law of Christ in the New Testament. And Apostle Paul kept the law of Christ.

The Law of Christ

Not only did Apostle Paul keep the Law of Christ, but he also passed it on to the apostles of the Early Church.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NLT) For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people — an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.”

In this scene, he was celebrating the Passover that he received from Jesus Christ. He set the example for the Early Church to keep the law of the Passover and celebrate the feast.

Luke 22:15 (NLT) Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. […] Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. […] He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

Before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ taught His disciples how to keep the Passover with bread and wine (his flesh and blood) unlike the Old Testament Passover, which was kept with animal sacrifice.

Apostle Paul also kept the Sabbath day just as Jesus Christ kept it.

Acts 17:2 (NLT) As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people.

Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath day not because it was Jewish law, but to teach us how to keep the Sabbath day according to the Law of Christ.

Luke 4:16 (NLT) […] he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. […] “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

So even though Apostle Paul said we are freed from the law, he was referring to the way the law was kept in the Old Testament. But just as he did, we must still keep the law of Christ.

Jesus Christ himself said he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it and give us a new way to keep it.

Matthew 5:17 (NLT) “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is accomplished. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.

As Christians, we must follow the law that Christ left. He emphasized in His teachings that the law was not abolished. Not only after the crucifixion, but even until the heavens and earth disappear, Jesus taught us that the law is not to disappear and the people of God should obey all the commands.

What is faith?

So back to the question of why does the Bible say we can be justified by faith.

James 2:14 (NLT) What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that faith save anyone? […] faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

According to the Bible we must have faith in Christ in order to receive eternal life. This is correct. However to have faith is not just to believe in our mind, but to put forth action. So what are the good deeds God desires?

Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

The good deeds God desires and the will of God is to follow God’s laws. Jesus clearly testified we must keep God’s laws in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Revelation 14:12 (NLT) …God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

Christianity means to follow Christ. And Christ showed us the example of keeping the law. Our faith must be based on believing God’s promised blessings when we keep His commands. So it is not enough to have faith and believe, but we must also keep the law – the Sabbath, the Passover and all the feasts of God. We can only be saved by faith when we also keep God’s commands.

Visit your nearest Church of God and find out how to keep God’s laws correctly in accordance with the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.