The concept that Christians are saved (usually meaning they will go to Heaven when they die) apart from the observance of moral law (which is antinomianism—an ancient heresy) is derived largely but not exclusively from Paul's arguments in the early chapters of the Book of Romans, John 5:24, Romans 8:1, Romans 10:9,10 and Ephesians 2:8,9.

On the other hand, the concept that Christians must keep the commandments of Christ and His Apostles can be found in such a large part of the New Testament, beginning with the Gospels, that one must say with all fairness it has far, far greater scriptural support than is true of the belief that Christians are saved without any necessary transformation of their personality.

Because of the great number of passages devoted to righteous living it is difficult to list even a representative sample. Righteousness of behavior is the burden of the entire Scriptures—Old Testament and New.

Christ said, "If you love me you will keep My commandments." That alone should warn us there is another side to the "faith alone" argument. Christ is God!

Christ again warned us that if we do not bear fruit we will be cut out of the Vine, out of Himself.

Paul on several occasions pointed out that if we live in the flesh we will die spiritually.

The writer of Hebrews cautioned us that the plant that does not bear fruit will be burned.

James argues that faith without works is dead.

Peter advises us of the need to suffer in the flesh in order to be purged of sin.

Peter sternly warns us that if we have known the way of righteousness and then turn back it would be better had we never taken the first step.

John the Beloved teaches we must purify ourselves and live righteously if we expect to be like Him when He appears.

Jude blows the trumpet: "the Lord is coming with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment on the sinners in the churches!"

Revelation speaks authoritatively, not permitting contradiction, that the rewards we associate with being a Christian are reserved for the overcomer; that if we do not walk worthily of Christ we are in danger of being blotted from the Book of Life.

Revelation tells us more than once that Christ is coming to reward us according to our works.

The only comment common to each of the seven churches of Asia is "I know thy works"!

If we are on solid ground thus far, let us apply our three considerations.

We shall take one passage from Romans that we believe would be acceptable to many evangelicals as being representative of the current position that we are saved by the gift of God's grace apart from righteous works on our part.

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (Romans 5:17,18)

Here is an excellent statement of the position that we are saved by the gift of God's grace in Christ. If we employ this as an axiom from which conclusions are to be drawn and forget the rest of the Bible we have a good foundation for antinomianism, that is, the philosophy of salvation apart from adherence to any moral code.

Now we turn to our three considerations. What of the immediate context? What is this passage talking about?

When we look carefully at Romans, Chapters Three through Five we find that Paul is contrasting faith in Christ with the Law of Moses, not with doing justly, loving mercy, or walking humbly with God, or doing to others what we would have them do to us, but with the works of the Law of Moses—circumcision, the Sabbath, the feast days, the laws governing leprosy, the laws governing agriculture, the dietary laws, the animal sacrifices, and the covenantal form of the eternal moral law—the covenant known as the Ten Commandments.

Paul was contending with those who were attempting to mix the Law of Moses with the redemption offered through Jesus Christ.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)

"Abraham, or to his seed, through the law."

To be continued.