“For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.”
Romans 2:13 (NLT)
God’s instruction, His way of living, the difference between right and wrong, is known to all creation. Paul explains that Gentiles instinctively do what the law says. They know right from wrong. We are all created in the image of God and eternity is written on our hearts. So our consciences either accuse us or confirm that what we’re doing is right, which demonstrates that God’s expectations are known to even the unbeliever.
So regardless of whether we have access to the Law of Moses or not, when we sin, there are consequences. Just because the Jews have the law doesn’t mean that they’re right with God. Having the law, knowing what it says, does not bring God’s approval. We have to put God’s instructions into practice. We have to obey the Word of God in order for the Lord to call us right in His sight, to be justified. The day is going to come when God is going to judge everyone’s hidden life, through Jesus Christ.
So which is it? Are we saved through our good works? Or are we saved by grace through faith? In Acts 10:42–43, Peter says that everyone who believes in Jesus is able to have their sins forgiven by putting their faith in Him. Paul is saying that our persistence in either doing good or doing evil reveals what we have put our faith in. If we continually seek after God and put our faith in Jesus, we’re going to produce good works. Because faith doesn’t sit still; it moves. Faith does things.
Through our relationship with God, modeled by Jesus Christ, and the equipping of the Holy Spirit, we can do what God asks of us. We have to put our faith in Jesus, agree with what God says, and then act upon that faith. Through abiding in Him, we persist in doing good and receive the eternal life He promises. We have to move from information to transformation today. Jesus is going to judge our fruit and even our thought life. Today, let’s take our thoughts captive and do what God desires by moving from knowing God’s Word to doing it.