‘Works of Faith’ Versus ‘Works of the Law’ What the Bible Really Says About Gaining Righteousness

How would you define “faith”? Many say it is belief in an invisible God. Others go further, describing it as trust in God’s plan. Some simply quote the words of the apostle Paul: “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

No matter how you define it, look at it, or feel about it, faith is a central tenet of Christian dialogue, often used to describe a righteous Christian’s works and connected to the very process of salvation.

But . . . why would a “work of faith” (1 Thessalonians 1:3) matter at all? Aren’t we saved by grace? And what about the law? Why would God give us His law if He didn’t want us to perform “works of the law” (Galatians 2:16)?

These topics tend to stump, confuse, and even divide Christians. Yet when we take a comprehensive look at the Word of God, we find straightforward answers to these seemingly convoluted questions. This article won’t provide all those answers, but it will explain:

• How the Bible defines “works of faith”
• How the Bible defines “works of the law”
• What the Bible says about “self-righteousness”
• What it means to be spiritually lukewarm
• And how to find authentic faith

What Are ‘Works of Faith’ According to the Bible?

Simply put, works of faith are the product of the Holy Spirit living in a person who is walking by faith—living in daily dependence on God and hope in His promises. The life of a person who is walking by faith proclaims: “I am making myself available to You, Lord Jesus, because there is nothing good in me!”

It’s true! There’s nothing good in us. The Bible says plainly that “self-righteousness” is a lie—

“There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.” (Romans 3:10–11)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

—which is why works of faith always originate from the Holy Spirit; they are the result of Christ living in us when we invite Him to lead our lives.

Paul says:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

How can Christ live in us? Through the divine Person of the Holy Spirit.

Paul explains:

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:9–10)

So when Paul commends the believers at Thessalonica for their “work of faith” (1 Thessalonians 1:3) and urges Titus to “affirm constantly” that believers in his churches “maintain good works” (Titus 3:8), he is encouraging Christians to simply bear the fruit of the Spirit. “Works of faith” and the “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22, 23) are synonymous. They are the “hot” works Christ refers to in His letter to the spiritually lukewarm church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–21).

From a human perspective, then, works of faith are not really works at all; we aren’t doing anything. 

Works of faith are the natural outpourings of a maintained relationship with Jesus Christ.

This is why James describes works of faith as evidence of justification:

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:21, 22)

What Are ‘Works of the Law’ According to the Bible?

Jesus told Laodicea:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16)

What did He mean?

Scripture defines lukewarm works as “works of the law,” actions resulting from a human attempt to produce works of faith. This isn’t to say that God’s law is a bad thing—just the opposite! God’s law showcases His character, and it’s something we cannot ignore. But when we perform acts that follow the law with the expectation of earning righteousness, we walk by faith in ourselves instead of walking by faith in Christ. We may call ourselves Christians, but our lives proclaim: “I don’t need You, Lord Jesus, because I can create my own goodness!” 

The Bible has some strong words for those who cling to this faulty line of thinking. Galatians 3:10 says:

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’ ”

Earlier, in Galatians 2:16, Paul adds to this point, using the term “works of the law” three times:

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

No matter how often we study the law or attempt to follow it, we will sin! We cannot justify ourselves. We will remain cursed. 

What the Bible Says About Self-Righteousness

In Philippians 3:9, Paul writes about wanting to “gain Christ” and “be found in Him”:

“ . . . not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

Righteousness that comes by works of the law is self-righteousness, righteousness produced by self. (You can fairly define any Christian philosophy that promotes self-righteousness as “legalism.”)

Shedding ideas of self-righteousness and justification by works of the law isn’t easy—at all. In fact, recognizing our true condition as sinners is one of the hardest things we can do. But if we don’t do it, we effectively reject the council of our “Faithful and True Witness,” the same One who addressed Laodicea (Revelation 13:14); we reject God’s grace in favor of lukewarm spirituality.

Why God Hates Lukewarm Spirituality

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:17)

Wow. Jesus did not hold back in His message to the church of Laodicea. But why were His words so strong? Why would God hate lukewarm spirituality more than cold (one could even say nonexistent) faith? Isn’t it better to be a lukewarm Christian than a cold one? Why does God object so strongly to self-righteousness—it has its shortcomings, but isn’t self-righteousness better than no righteousness at all? 

Scripture’s answer is clear: self-righteousness is really no righteousness because true righteousness comes only by Christ. If we claim salvation through our own works, works of the law, or act like we can earn our way to heaven, we become spiritually paralyzed, unwilling to give up our profession of faith in Jesus but also unwilling to be crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20). We misrepresent the all-powerful, all-merciful, and all-loving God we claim to follow, “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).

How to Turn Self-Righteousness Into Hot Faith

If you find yourself stuck in a state of lukewarm spirituality, convicted by Jesus’ letter to Laodicea yet unsure how to convert your works of the law to works of faith, simply keep reading. Christ says to you:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:19–21)

So, how can you start walking by true faith?

1. Recognize God’s love for you.
2. Recognize your condition as a sinner.
3. Eagerly repent of your sins.
4. Open the door of your heart to Jesus.
5. Accept His sacrifice as the payment for your sins.
6. Spend time with Him. Get to know Him. Love Him back.

The Spirit living in you will produce works of faith you never thought possible!

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4–5)

Related Articles:

The Righteousness of God

From Under Law to Under Grace

Justification by Faith

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Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.