The Problem of Antinomianism

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.”

— Ephesians 2:10

Nomos is a Greek word for law. “Anti-nomianism” would describe the position of those who are against the law. They do not realize that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in order that we may serve God, and that we can only serve God by obeying His commandments.

There is nothing that anyone of us can do that is pleasing to God except to obey His commandments, even as Jesus humbled Himself and showed his humility by becoming obedient, and He always pleased His father by keeping His commandments.

So also, since we have been saved by the grace of God, we are saved unto good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that we are saved by grace through faith. The next verse is the text above. This does not mean we are saved by faith plus good works. No. We are saved by faith alone, but that faith is never alone. If it is genuine, it results in good works.

Paul says in Titus that it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy that He saved us.

Antinomianism is the spirit of the age. Some have perverted the Gospel to mean that we can live like we want and not have to worry about a holy God because He has already forgiven us. This is cheap grace. Salvation actually is by good works—the good works of Jesus Christ who died on the cross on our behalf.

My Savior and Lord, thank You for Your work on my behalf. Thank You for living in perfect obedience and for always pleasing Your Father. Lord, give me strength for today to do with joy the works You have laid before…

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN
LIVE LIVES PLEASING TO HIM.