"Justification by Faith and Christian Ethics"
When the nature and action of faith are misunderstood, people are not too concerned about being "zealous of good works." For instance, people listen
to a preacher who keeps harping, "We are not saved by living a life of good works, but by faith. Keeping the law does not justify us with God, but
faith does." In the first place, the hearers may easily conclude that God is not too concerned about good works and the honor of His law, so why
should they be too concerned about it? In the second place, they may also conclude that a certain quality in their own hearts called "faith" is going
to please God and move Him to open heaven for them. |