Why the Law is Not of Faith: Grace vs. Works in Justification
Orientation
Many believers mistakenly assume that their inheritance or reward from God is something they must earn through obedience or good works.
- This assumption places you under the Law's system of wages and debt.
- The Law demands perfect, perpetual obedience of both action and heart motive.
- Under this system, breaking even one point brings a curse, not a blessing.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10)
— Galatians 3:10
Clarification
Jesus used the Law not to provide a path to righteousness, but to expose sin and remove all false coverings for it.
- His teachings on reward addressed those deceived into thinking Law-keeping could justify them.
- The Law's 'wage' system yields only expectation of punishment for failure.
- Promises of inheritance belong to Christ alone; we receive them only in Him.
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. (John 15:22)
— John 15:22
Structure
The biblical logic presents two mutually exclusive systems: one of works under the Law, and one of grace received by faith.
- The system of works is 'not of faith' and brings a curse.
- The system of grace justifies and gives inheritance as a free gift.
- These systems cannot be combined; grace and works are opposites.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)
— Romans 11:6
Weight-Bearing Prose
Pauline theology establishes a definitive antithesis. The Law is not of faith (Galatians 3:12). It operates on a wage principle—’the man that doeth them shall live in them’—placing all under its curse for any failure. Justification, inheritance, and reward are secured solely within the system of grace, received through faith in Christ. These are not separate categories. The justification that brings eternal life is the same grace that makes us ‘heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ’ (Romans 8:17). To introduce works of the Law into this equation is to nullify grace and place oneself back under the curse. The inheritance is not a wage for service; it is Christ Himself, His portion given freely. Objections that seek to condition inheritance on post-conversion performance misunderstand the Pauline category of ‘grace’ and attempt the impossible fusion of two opposed systems.
Integration
Your standing, your inheritance, your reward—all are secure in Christ. They were given by grace through faith, and they remain by grace. There is no pressure to advance or perform to retain what was never earned. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, and your reward. You are a co-heir with Him, not by your labor, but by His finished work. Rest in this. The assurance of your inheritance is found in looking to Christ, not in evaluating your own progress. He is your portion. This is your landing place, your anchor. The work is done, the gift is given. You are blessed with Christ Himself.