PERVERSION OF THE DOCTRINE OF GOOD WORKS

By Gary Ray Branscome

Having looked at what the Bible says about good works, the purpose of this section is to look at four ways that Satan attacks and perverts the truth of Scripture regarding works. Those four perversions consist of: 1- making righteousness and salvation depend on works; 2- teaching that we can sin willfully and live in sin and still be saved; 3- teaching that our standing with God depends upon our obedience to men (leaders) and their commandments; 4- and teaching that leaders are to be obeyed even if they tell you to do something wrong.

First of all, the Bible plainly tells us that we are cleansed of sin and made righteous in the sight of God and saved through the blood that Christ shed on the cross, and the forgiveness that is ours through faith in Him. The words, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us of all sin,” tell us that our sin is removed by what Christ did, by His blood (1John 1:7). The words, “Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him,” tell us that the same blood that “cleanses us of all sin” makes us just [i.e. righteous] and saves us “from wrath” (Romans 5:9). The words, “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” tell us that the forgiveness we have “through His blood” is ours through “His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). And, the words, “If by grace, then is it no longer by works: if it were grace would no longer be grace. For if it is by works, then it is no longer by grace: otherwise work is no longer work,” plainly tell us that grace is not a work (Romans 11:6). Anyone who rejects these truths is teaching a false gospel, and is, therefore, an antichrist [See Galatians 1:6-9, Romans 3:20-28 and 5:1, Luke 1:77, Acts 10:43.]

Secondly, the Bible plainly tells us that we cannot continue a sinful lifestyle, sinning willfully, and still be saved. [Historically that heresy is known as antinomianism.] The words “Some slanderously claim that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come. Whose damnation is just,” tell us that those who continue in sin without repentance will be damned (Romans 3:8). The words, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the promised Savior is born of God,” tell us that all who believe in Christ are “born of God” (1John 5:1). And, the words, “Whoever has been born of God does not continue in sin,” tell us that those who are born of God do not continue a sinful lifestyle (1John 3:9). While the words, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and they are opposed to each other: so that you cannot do the things that you would,” tell us that the Spirit is at work within us to help us overcome temptation (Galatians 5:16-17). At the same time the words, “I buffet my body, and bring it under my control: lest there be any way that I, after having preached to others, might be rejected,” warn us of the importance of fighting against the flesh (1Corinthians 9:27). While the words, “Anyone who despised Moses’ law died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses: How much more severely, do you think a man deserves to be punished, who has trampled the Son of God under foot, treated the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, as an unholy thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay, says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” warn all who think that they can continue a sinful lifestyle without repentance of God’s wrath (Hebrews 10:28-31).

Thirdly, the Bible strongly warns us against, “Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). While on one hand we are instructed to “Listen to those who lead the congregation, and follow their guidance: for they watch for your souls,” the fact that overseers are not to be “lords over God’s heritage,” but “examples to the flock,” tells us that the authority of leaders is to teach people what the Bible says, not to exalt themselves (Hebrews 13:17, 1Peter 5:3). Therefore, any Church or church leader who demands to be “obeyed” is in rebellion against God. And, the words, “Paying no attention to… the commandments of men, who have turned from the truth,” tell us that those who teach the “commandments of men” are leading their followers away from God’s Word and thus away from the truth, so we are not to pay any attention to them (Titus 1:14).

Fourthly, some false prophets and cult leaders are so deeply under the influence of Satan that they tell their followers that they are to obey the leadership, even if they are told to do something evil. In contrast, the Bible plainly tells us that, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). The words, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,” warn us against listening to false teachers (Matthew 7:15). The words, “I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say,” tell us that we are to judge what we are being taught (1Corinthians 10:15). The words, “If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,” tell us that if they contradict the Bible [by telling us to obey them rather than God] they are in spiritual darkness (Isaiah 8:20). And, the words, “Those who know God accept what we [the inspired writers of Scripture] say; those who are not of God will not accept what we say. That is how we can distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of error,” tell us that those who refuse to hear the word of God [by telling people to do something sinful] do not have the Holy Spirit, and thus are unsaved, and should be regarded as antichrists (1John 4:6).

The Index Oeneralis [of the Jesuit order] declares expressly: "The superiors may obligate [members] to sin by virtue of the obedience (which is due them), provided this will confer great benefits." (Cp. Index Oeneralis, Vol. II, sub Obedient tiae et Obedire; also, Christl. Dogmatik, III, p. 80ff.)