The Profession of Faith: Foundation of Christian Fellowship
Orientation
The false assumption is that Christian fellowship or standing before God is built on our performance, track record, or a system of works.
- Fellowship is not a reward for good behavior.
- Our unity is not based on comparing spiritual resumes.
- Attempting to stand before God on works reduces the relationship to a transaction of debt, not grace.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
— Romans 4:4-5
Clarification
Good works are not the basis for our righteousness but are the evidence or signature that righteousness has already been granted by God through faith.
- Deeds do not purchase standing or add to our justification.
- Coming to the light is enabled by faith, which qualifies us to stand in God's presence.
- The works we do are 'wrought in God,' manifesting the life He has already given.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
— John 3:21
Structure
Biblical logic shows that God imputes righteousness through faith alone, which then produces fellowship and deeds as its fruit.
- Faith is counted as righteousness, as with Abraham.
- This imputed righteousness qualifies believers for fellowship as sons of God.
- The resulting deeds are a manifestation of the life already granted, not a cause of it.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.
— Romans 4:6
Weight-Bearing Prose
The core assertion is that justification is by faith alone, with righteousness imputed, not earned. This is the Pauline category. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Romans 4:3). Works, if presented as the ground of justification, turn reward into a debt and nullify grace (Romans 4:4-5). The counter-position—that works contribute to righteousness—collapses the gospel. God justifies the ungodly by faith. The blessedness David describes is of sins forgiven and covered, based on righteousness imputed without works (Romans 4:6-8). This imputed righteousness is the sole basis for standing in the light (John 3:19-21). Deeds are then manifest as ‘wrought in God,’ serving as evidence of the life already granted. Fellowship among believers is founded on this common profession of faith, recognizing one another as sons of God. Sanctification and reward flow from Christ’s righteousness imputed, not from our works.
Integration
Your standing is secure. It rests on Christ’s righteousness counted to you through faith, not on your performance. This is your assurance. The blessedness of forgiveness and a covered record is yours because God imputes righteousness without works. Your deeds are simply the signature of this life already granted, wrought in God. There is no pressure to advance or earn. Fellowship is yours because you share in the profession of faith. Re-anchor here. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, your reward. Nothing is added by your effort. Rest in the finished work and the fellowship it secures.