Why Did Christ Teachings Emphasize Works Of Righteousness And Not Grace?

Christ is the Grace of God, yet His teachings clearly emphasized the importance of works of righteousness concerning man attaining salvation. Matthew 13:41-42; 19:16-19, 27.

One would think that with Christ being the Master, Lord and Savior of the church, and the one who paid the price for man's salvation, through whom alone man can be saved, that He ought to know better about what man needs to do to be saved.

But there are many so-called Christians who think otherwise, that they could possibly know better than the Master in that respect.

Some are the preachers of the gospel which teaches that the same works of righteousness, which Christ, the Grace of God, emphasized, is not a requirement for man's salvation but grace. Hence the gospel being aptly called the antichrist' gospel of grace, since it contradicts the Gospel of Christ, which is the true Gospel of Grace.

It's just a shame that one can clearly see why Jesus would deny knowing many Christians on that day, but can't do much about it, because how can Christians who make His own Gospel to be of none effect by their own contrary teachings expect the otherwise reaction from Christ? Matthew 7:22-23

It's really sad, notwithstanding we would keep preaching the Gospel of Christ which He instructed us to teach men to observe which emphasizes the works of righteousness, for those few who would choose not to be among the number of the many Christians He'd deny on that day! Matthew 28:19-20.

God bless.

You post is Vague. You need to detail at least one or two things that would make for the 'works of righteousness'.

Thanks and God bless you.

Christ did not emphasize the works of righteousness. As at the time Christ was living, the new covenant of grace was not yet operational so he was teaching them according to the law of moses that was in operation during his time. At his death and resurrection, a new convenant was established that created a relationship between man and God that is not dependent or rely on the good works of man but rather on grace by faith in the already finished work of Christ. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, end of story!!

psucc:
You post is Vague. You need to detail at least one or two things that would make for the 'works of righteousness'.

Thanks and God bless you.

I have been on this topic for quite a while now so I don't want to keep repeating myself.

You may kindly refer to my previous posts on this series or check out those Bible texts I mentioned if you want to get more details.

Thanks and God bless.

For those who believe that Christ teachings were under the law, they should kindly answer the following questions:

1. Why the Pharisees, teachers of the law of Moses were yet opposed to His teachings?

2. Why He then told His disciples after His resurrection to teach all men to observe His teachings? Matthew 28:19-20

I'm waiting...

You are putting the cart before the horse. The salvation of a man is not dependent on his good works, he is saved by the faith in and acceptance of the finished work of Christ. The works you should be referring to is that which was spoken of in the book of James, it's a product of salvation not a contributor to it. In order words, your good works can't save you but when you are already saved, your salvation will bear good fruits in you or manifest in form of you living a life that's pleasing to God. We are not saved because of our good works rather our works become good because we are saved. It's God who works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Your so called righteous works are nothing but filthy rags before God, no man can be saved by them.

jesusjnr2020:
For those who believe that Christ teachings were under the law, they should kindly answer the following questions:

1. Why the Pharisees, teachers of the law of Moses were yet opposed to His teachings?

2. Why He then told His disciples after His resurrection to teach all men to observe His teachings? Matthew 28:19-20

I'm waiting...

I didn't ask for tantrums but the answer to these simple questions.

I'm still waiting...

Thanks.

Gullah:
Christ did not emphasize the works of righteousness. As at the time Christ was living, the new covenant of grace was not yet operational so he was teaching them according to the law of moses that was in operation during his time. At his death and resurrection, a new convenant was established that created a relationship between man and God that is not dependent or rely on the good works of man but rather on grace by faith in the already finished work of Christ. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, end of story!!

1. Jesus Christ never taught His followers anything according to the Old Covenant. Everything He taught them was the New Covenant... why else do you think the Pharisees hated and eventually killed Him? He taught a New Doctrine that they did not understand, could not dispute or condemn because they knew it was of God.

2. The New Covenant may have been ratified when His blood was shed on the cross, and He gave up His body at death, but Jesus Christ began teaching His followers of it, preparing them for the work to be done, from the moment He first declared, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is here". In fact, the moment Jesus Christ was born into this world the New Covenant, which He embodied -Truth(Law) and Life(grace), - arrived in this world.

3. His Death and Resurrection where part of the New Covenant teachings of Jesus Christ and so changed nothing of the Covenant/ Law which He delivered before them. Jesus Christ is the Truth(Law) and Life(grace), the only way and not even death could change that.

Gullah:
You are putting the cart before the horse. The salvation of a man is not dependent on his good works, he is saved by the faith in and acceptance of the finished work of Christ. The works you should be referring to is that which was spoken of in the book of James, it's a product of salvation not a contributor to it. In order words, your good works can't save you but when you are already saved, your salvation will bear good fruits in you or manifest in form of you living a life that's pleasing to God. We are not saved because of our good works rather our works become good because we are saved. It's God who works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Your so called righteous works are nothing but filthy rags before God, no man can be saved by them.

1. No man can be saved except he/she submits to and obeys the stipulated commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ, the only one through whom the salvation which is sought after is guaranteed

2. No man can enter into the Kingdom of God without first submitting to and obeying at least some of necesssary commandments stipulated by Jesus Christ, the Law of the Kingdom of God.

3. No man can enter into the Kingdom of God through the Narrow gate that leads to Kingdom of Heaven unless he/she submits to and obeys all of the stipulated commandments. Those who only obey some of the commandments enter in through the broad gate that leads to the Kingdom of Hell.

Kobojunkie:
1. No man can be saved except he/she submits to and obeys the stipulated commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ, the only one through whom the salvation which is sought after is guaranteed

2. No man can enter into the Kingdom of God without first submitting to and obeying at least some of necesssary commandments stipulated by Jesus Christ, the Law of the Kingdom of God.

3. No man can enter into the Kingdom of God through the Narrow gate that leads to Kingdom of Heaven unless he/she submits to and obeys all of the stipulated commandments. Those who only obey some of the commandments enter in through the broad gate that leads to the Kingdom of Hell.

Have you abided by this?

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Gullah:

Have you abided by this?

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

As a matter of fact, I did that and I remember the date I did it too- just over 2 and a half years ago.

Jesus Christ was not kidding at all! As He said, the only way to enter into that Narrow gate - by the way, all your doubts about God, and His Kingdom, will gradually cease to exist once you proceed through that Gate - is to do exactly as He commanded, no short cuts provided and none available.

Kobojunkie:
1. Jesus Christ never taught His followers anything according to the Old Covenant. Everything He taught them was the New Covenant... why else do you think the Pharisees hated and eventually killed Him? He taught a New Doctrine that they did not understand, could not dispute or condemn because they knew it was of God.

2. The New Covenant may have been ratified when His blood was shed on the cross, and He gave up His body at death, but Jesus Christ began teaching His followers of it, preparing them for the work to be done, from the moment He first declared, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is here". In fact, the moment Jesus Christ was born into this world the New Covenant, which He embodied -Truth(Law) and Life(grace), - arrived in this world.

3. His Death and Resurrection where part of the New Covenant teachings of Jesus Christ and so changed nothing of the Covenant/ Law which He delivered before them. Jesus Christ is the Truth(Law) and Life(grace), the only way and not even death could change that.

I was responding to him based on the scripture he quoted in Matthew 19:16-19 where the rich man asked Jesus what he could do to inherit the kingdom and Jesus said keep the commandments. He was using it as a basis to claim that Jesus emphasized on our good works as a prerequisite for salvation and it was in the context of that scripture I responded that Jesud was teaching him according to the law of moses which was in operation at the time. When the new convenant became operational at the Pentecost, Peter and the apostles no longer needed to tell anyone to keep the commandments if they want to be saved, They told them believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

Kobojunkie:
As a matter of fact, I did that and I remember the date I did it too- just over 2 and a half years ago.

Jesus Christ was not kidding at all! As He said, the only way to enter into that Narrow gate - by the way, all your doubts about God, and His Kingdom, will gradually cease to exist once you proceed through that Gate - is to do exactly as He commanded, no short cuts provided and none available.

And your argument is that anyone who doesn't do as you claimed to have done is not saved? Are you saying if you had died before you did that two years ago then you wouldn't have entered into the kingdom?

Gullah:

And your argument is that anyone who doesn't do as you claimed to have done is not saved? Are you saying if you had died before you did that two years ago then you wouldn't have entered into the kingdom?

I didn't make the claim, Jesus Christ did. I am simply reiterating what is contained in His teachings.

As I was an unbeliever before all this, If I had died before entering into the Kingdom of Heaven, I would have simply perished (returned to dust) but since God, who is the one who called me would instead have it that I not perish, He led me to completing all that was stipulated by Jesus Christ as far as entering into the Kingdom of God through the Narrow door(the door that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven) , rather than having me only halfarse if and enter through the broad gate(the gate that leads the multitudes to the Kingdom of Hell) instead.

Many who claim to be Christians entered into the Kingdom through that broad gate that Jesus Christ warned only leads to Hell, a door, and so even with all their so called worship of God, have no hope of Heaven at all.

Gullah:

I was responding to him based on the scripture he quoted in Matthew 19:16-19 where the rich man asked Jesus what he could do to inherit the kingdom and Jesus said keep the commandments. He was using it as a basis to claim that Jesus emphasized on our good works as a prerequisite for salvation and it was in the context of that scripture I responded that Jesud was teaching him according to the law of moses which was in operation at the time. When the new convenant became operational at the Pentecost, Peter and the apostles no longer needed to tell anyone to keep the commandments if they want to be saved, They told them believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

The New Covenant went into effect not on Pentecost but when Jesus Christ declared, " It is finished" on the cross. And yes, the law that was spoken of during that discussion with the rich young man rings similar to the Old Covenant, however, the command to sell all he had and give all away to the poor is the New Covenant law.

If you recall the parable of the Hidden treasure and the parable of the Jewel... both of these parables speak of the need to sell all we have if we intend to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven.

Those that keep emphasizing that your good works is necessary for salvation keep putting a burden on themselves and others that the gospel didn't put on them. The truth is what I have already explained up there, man is not capable of keeping God's commandments no matter how much you try to, you will fail in some and just as Jesus said, if you fail in one, you are guilty of all. When you receive Jesus into your life, you accept the justification he gives you by grace. You are no longer condemned by the law but you are now justified by grace. Not by any law you kept but by the complete sacrifice Jesus already made on your behalf. Him being not guilty took our condemnation and punishment and gave us His justification if only we would believe and receive him into our lives. The moment you receive Jesus into your life, you are saved and that's it!! All that follows thereafter is God will start molding that life that has been surrendered to Him to be what He wants it to be. It's Him that works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Salvation is not a fruit of the works of righteousness, it's the other way round, Works of righteousness is a fruit of salvation.

Kobojunkie:
I didn't make the claim, Jesus Christ did. I am simply reiterating what is contained in His teachings.

As I was an unbeliever before all this, If I had died before entering into the Kingdom of Heaven, I would have simply perished (returned to dust) but since God, who is the one who called me would instead have it that I not perish, He led me to completing all that was stipulated by Jesus Christ as far as entering into the Kingdom of God through the Narrow door(the door that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven) , rather than having me only halfarse if and enter through the broad gate(the gate that leads the multitudes to the Kingdom of Hell) instead.

Many who claim to be Christians entered into the Kingdom through that broad gate that Jesus Christ warned only leads to Hell, a door, and so even with all their so called worship of God, have no hope of Heaven at all.

You are surprising me greatly. So you are saying that any Christian that doesn't sell all he has and gives to the poor before following Christ is not saved and can't enter the Kingdom?

Gullah:
You are surprising me greatly. So you are saying that any Christian that doesn't sell all he has and gives to the poor before following Christ is not saved and can't enter the Kingdom?

All I am doing here is repeating what Jesus Christ Himself taught, and reiterated in His conversation with the rich young man in Matthew 19. This is the Truth of God - has been from the beginning.

In the same Matthew 19, we also learn that everyone of His disciples did the exact same thing, abandoned everything , including family, jobs/career, reputation etc., in order to enter into the Kingdom of God through the narrow gate.

Matthew 19 more then makes it clear that anyone unwilling to obey all that is stipulated by Jesus Christ in regards to obtaining eternal life(Salvation) and becoming born-again in order to gain access to the Kingdom of God, only seeks to doom his/her own soul. Another place to look for clarification on this is Jesus Christ's conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 vs 1 - 21.

Not the labours of my hands,
could fulfill thy laws demands

Should my zeal no respite know,
Should my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save and thou ALONE.

We sing these songs every Sunday and yet we don't even take time to understand and interrogate the words we sing. These inspired song writers understood what the gospel of grace was and they told us so in their songs.
Same as this one below;

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God,

The vilest offender who truly BELIEVES,

THAT MOMENT from Jesus a pardon receives.

Kobojunkie:
All I am doing here is repeating what Jesus Christ Himself taught, and reiterated in His conversation with the rich young man in Matthew 19. This is the Truth of God - has been from the beginning.

In the same Matthew 19, we also learn that everyone of His disciples did the exact same thing, abandoned everything , including family, jobs/career, reputation etc., in order to enter into the Kingdom of God through the narrow gate.

Matthew 19 more then makes it clear that anyone unwilling to obey all that is stipulated by Jesus Christ in regards to obtaining eternal life(Salvation) and becoming born-again in order to gain access to the Kingdom of God, only seeks to doom his/her own soul. Another place to look for clarification on this is Jesus Christ's conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 vs 1 - 21.

If this were so, how come the apostles never preached this gospel of you must sell all you have and give to the poor if you want to enter the kingdom? Why did they just keep emphasizing on believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved? Does it mean the apostles didn't understand the gospel they received?

Gullah:
Not the labours of my hands,
could fulfill thy laws demands

Should my zeal no respite know,
Should my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save and thou ALONE.

We sing these songs every Sunday and yet we don't even take time to understand and interrogate the words we sing. These inspired song writers understood what the gospel of grace was and they told us so in their songs.
Same as this one below;

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God,

The vilest offender who truly BELIEVES,

THAT MOMENT from Jesus a pardon receives.

You claim the writers understood the gospel of grace but where did they get their gospel of grace from since it does not align with the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ Himself. Ever wondered about that?

If Jesus Christ Himself declared that those who love Him are those who submit to and obey His commandments and it is inside of only that He and His Father will come and make their home in, then where do the writers of the above song get the idea that the Salvaton offered by Jesus Christ requires they do absolutely nothing to obtain it from Him, Jesus Christ?

God is a God of Laws and Jesus Christ is God's Law. The Law, Jesus Christ, who offers you Salvation, declared that only those who will obey Him wil obtain it. Obviously this means that those who do absolutely nothing, the unbelievers, will have none of what He offers since the very act of believing Jesus Christ is God's Truth(Law) is an act of obedience.
Those who do just enough, will enter His Kingdom through the broad gate whereas only the few who do all He requires will enter through the narrow gate into His Kingdom.

jesusjnr2020:
I have been on this topic for quite a while now so I don't want to keep repeating myself.

You may kindly refer to my previous posts on this series or check out those Bible texts I mentioned if you want to get more details.

Thanks and God bless.

I have seen this topic being treated by different monikers? Abi na the same person or from different Gospellers?

Gullah:

If this were so, how come the apostles never preached this gospel of you must sell all you have and give to the poor if you want to enter the kingdom? Why did they just keep emphasizing on believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved? Does it mean the apostles didn't understand the gospel they received?

1. Who told you the apostles did not preach that aspect of the gospel to the people? You are told in Book of Acts, beginning in chapter 4, that many of those who believed, sold everything they had and gave it to be used by the apostles in feeding the group.

2. To different authors, believe" implies different things. For example, in the Gospel of John, "believe" is used to imply mental assent to an idea, especially of whom Jesus Christ is, but in the Gospel of Matthew, the writer uses the word, to suggest "trust followed by compete submission" to Jesus Christ. Different meanings apply to different words - but the overall message is the same.

3. The problem here is not the apostles but with the fact that many a Christian pays little to do attention to the teachings of Jesus Christ Himself , the one whose words we are called to Trust and obey and instead, like you, are hyper focused on interpreting the words of His apostles instead. The Truth of God is outlined right there in the Gospels for anyone who wants to know the Truth(Law) as given by Jesus Christ- His teaching is the only standard God will validate for us even through His Spirit. Any teaching that contradicts, He will never validate.

Kobojunkie:
1. Who told you the apostles did not preach that aspect of the gospel to the people? You are told in Book of Acts, beginning in chapter 4, that many of those who believed, sold everything they had and gave it to be used by the apostles in feeding the group.

2. To different authors, believe" implies different things. For example, in the Gospel of John, "believe" is used to imply mental assent to an idea, especially of whom Jesus Christ is, but in the Gospel of Matthew, the writer uses the word, to suggest "trust followed by compete submission" to Jesus Christ. Different meanings apply to different words - but the overall message is the same.

3. The problem here is not the apostles but with the fact that many a Christian pays little to do attention to the teachings of Jesus Christ Himself , the one whose words we are called to Trust and obey and instead, like you, are hyper focused on interpreting the words of His apostles instead. The Truth of God is outlined right there in the Gospels for anyone who wants to know the Truth(Law) as given by Jesus Christ- His teaching is the only standard God will validate for us even through His Spirit. Any teaching that contradicts, He will never validate.

They did that willingly of their own volition, not as a perquisite to their salvation. They were already saved before they did that. No where in the Bible will you see the apostles telling anyone to sell all they have as a condition for them to be saved neither did they ask anyone to do any other thing apart from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as a perquisite for salvation.

psucc:
I have seen this topic being treated by different monikers? Abi na the same person or from different Gospellers?

If you meant jesusjnr1, that's my alternate moniker. I used it to continue on this topic while I was under a ban with this.

Gullah:

They did that willingly of their own volition, not as a perquisite to their salvation. They were already saved before that. No where in the Bible will you see the apostles telling anyone to sell all they have as a condition for them to be saved neither did they ask anyone to do any other thing apart from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as a perquisite for salvation.

1. God is only honored through our obedience of His commandments. Everything else we do is meaningless in the sight of God, and without reward.

2. You claim that rather than in obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ, the first Christians chose to dispose of all their wealth and homes of their own volition, meaning the acts were in themselves meaningless ?

3. Here's another question for you, are you suggesting here that you believe in the words of the apostles over the Word of God, Jesus Christ?

Kobojunkie:
1. God is only honored through our obedience of His commandments. Everything else we do is meaningless in the sight of God, and without reward.

2. You claim that rather than in obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ, the first Christians chose to dispose of all their wealth and homes of their own volition, meaning the acts were in themselves meaningless ?

3. Here's another question for you, are you suggesting here that you believe in the words of the apostles over the Word of God, Jesus Christ?

Since the coming of Jesus, the only commandment you need to obey in order to be saved is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept his offer of salvation. As for your point 2, yes those acts were meaningless when it had to do with their being saved, those acts didn't contribute in any way to their being saved rather they did those acts voluntarily as a contribution to the church. They were already saved and would remain saved whether they sold all they had or not.

Gullah:

Since the coming of Jesus, the only commandment you need to obey in order to be saved is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept his offer of salvation. As for your point 2, yes those acts were meaningless when it had to do with their being saved, those acts didn't contribute in any way to their being saved rather they did those acts voluntarily as a contribution to the church. They were already saved and would remain saved whether they sold all they had or not.

1. So the Words of Jesus Christ in John 3 vs 1- 21 and in Matthew 19, along with the many other parables told mean nothing ?

2. Recall what I had stated earlier that .

Kobojunkie:

God is a God of Laws and Jesus Christ is God's Law. The Law, Jesus Christ, who offers you Salvation, declared that only those who will obey Him wil obtain it. Obviously this means that those who do absolutely nothing, the unbelievers, will have none of what He offers since the very act of believing Jesus Christ is God's Truth(Law) is an act of obedience.
Those who do just enough, will enter His Kingdom through the broad gate whereas only the few who do all He requires will enter through the narrow gate into His Kingdom.

Those who only believe,
only one if the commandments God stipulates, will be saved, only their salvation is through the broad gate. In Matthew 7 vs 13-14, Jesus Christ assured that only a few will enter into His Kingdom through the narrow gate, whereas a multitude will run in through the broad gate.

3. Jesus Christ also said something else which was interesting. He said that only those who are taught by His father(not by men) are those who belong to Him. You are more interested in the teachings of the apostles (men) than the very teachings of Jesus Christ, the Word out of God's own mouth, so I am not surprised at all that you would refuse the counsel of Jesus Christ so you can cling instead to words out of mouths of men long dead and in their graves.

Kobojunkie:
1. So the Words of Jesus Christ in John 3 vs 1- 21 and in Matthew 19, along with the many other parables told mean nothing ?

2. Recall what I had stated earlier that . Those who only believe,
only one if the commandments God stipulates, will be saved, only their salvation is through the broad gate. In Matthew 7 vs 13-14, Jesus Christ assured that only a few will enter into His Kingdom through the narrow gate, whereas a multitude will run in through the broad gate.

3. Jesus Christ also said something else which was interesting. He said that only those who are taught by His father(not by men) are those who belong to Him. You are more interested in the teachings of the apostles (men) than the very teachings of Jesus Christ, the Word out of God's own mouth, so I am not surprised at all that you would refuse the counsel of Jesus Christ so you can cling instead to words out of mouths of men long dead and in their graves.

The words of the apostles are the Scriptures, they make up a majority of the new testament of the Bible given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 2:8 and 9 Paul said expressly, "8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

9. not by works so that no one can boast." (NIV)

Paul's writing was not the words of a mere man who is long dead in his grave, this is the scripture, the Bible!!

Gullah:

The words of the apostles are the Scriptures, they make up a majority of the new testament of the Bible given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 2:8 and 9 Paul said expressly, "8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

9. not by works so that no one can boast." (NIV)
Paul's writing was not the words of a mere man who is long dead in his grave, this is the scripture, the Bible!!

The words of Satan himself (even demons) are also Scripture - may not be a majority but it is also written in Scripture for us to read, but it will never be the Word of God, just as the words of men, even the apostles' will never be the Word of God , Jesus Christ.

Now, according to Jesus Christ, only those who have God as their teacher will belong to Him and this is consistent with God's own declaration in Jeremiah 31 vs 34.

Kobojunkie:
The words of Satan himself (even demons) are also Scripture - may not be a majority but it is also written in Scripture for us to read, but it will never be the Word of God, just as the words of men, even the apostles' will never be the Word of God , Jesus Christ.

Now, according to Jesus Christ, only those who have God as their teacher will belong to Him and this is consistent with God's own declaration in Jeremiah 31 vs 34.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 (KJV)

End of story!!

Gullah:

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 (KJV)
End of story!!

And the very same Jesus Christ then goes on to further explain, in John 8 vs 31-41 , that only those who believe and submit to obey His teachings/commandments will be set free from bondage to sin and those are the ones who are Sons of God. Are we to take it that Jesus Christ fibbed or is it you only choose to believe some but not All of His Truth?

The Law of God is all or nothing. If you do not believe it in its entirety, you are better off not believing in it at all as you gain nothing when you do not fully commit.