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"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" (Gal. 2: 16).
What reiteration we have here. "Works of the law . . . . . works of the law . . . . .
works of the law"--and these words are part of Paul's personal testimony to Peter and
the assembly at Antioch (Gal. 2: 11-21).
When he learns that the Galatians had been persuaded to attempt to make their
salvation secure by the practice of circumcision, and the observance of "weak and
beggarly elements", the Apostle tells them that it looks as though someone must have
"bewitched" them.
"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the spirit by the works of the law, or by
the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the spirit, are ye now made
perfect by the flesh?" (Gal. 3: 2, 3).
Notice that the Apostle places "works" and "flesh" together here, and "faith" and
"spirit".
So comprehensive is the law, and so weak is the flesh, that the Apostle can say
without need for proviso or exception: "For as many as are of the works of the law are
under the curse" (Gal. 3: 10), and anyone who ponders the reason given in the remainder
of the verse will be compelled to agree.
Turning to the epistles of the Mystery, the Apostle makes two clear statements that
settle the matter once and for all:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: not of works lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2: 8, 9).
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before
the world began" (II Tim. 1: 9).
These two passages from the prison epistles are supplemented by one from Titus:
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He
saved us" (Titus 3: 5).
Coming now to the other side of the question, are there any "works" that can be placed
in the other scale? There are, and until we see both sides, our conception of the truth will
be unbalanced and distorted. We need not go outside this same chapter of Titus for an
example of balance. If in verse 5 the Apostle says "Not by works", he follows with this
statement in verse 8:
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they
which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3: 8).