4-SIDED TRIANGLES
Week 5: Saving Allegiance
Brad Saab
One Missoula Church
03/07/2021
A major aspect of the biblical Gospel is that now-enthroned King Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to give us the power to murder our disobedience that is destroying us and those around us
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (see also Colossians 3:5-10) —Romans 8:13
However, there’s an artificial and unbiblical conflict created by the MEANING of the English words “faith” (pistis) and “works” (ergon) which produces the message that we are “saved by trusting belief, NOT by good deeds”
For by grace you have been saved through faith [pistis]. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works [ergon], so that no one may boast. —Ephesians 2:8-9
He will render to each one according to his works [ergon]: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury —Romans 2:6-8
“Whoever believes [has pistis] in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” —John 3:36
To illustrate the trouble with language translation, let’s use the word “BANK” in modern English:
When I’m heading east on Mullan from my house, I have to BANK right at Broadway and then again at Front to get to the BANK located just off the BANK of the Clark Fork where I do my BANKING. Because I BANK at such a reputable BANK institution, I can BANK on them to keep my valuables secure inside their BANK building, and I’m freed up to go to the gym and practice my BANK shot so I can dominate the courts.
Depending on context, the Greek word “pistis” can mean belief, trust, faith, faithfulness, loyalty, reliability, fidelity or allegiance. In a royal, political, or military context in the ancient world, “pistis” has the meaning of “loyalty” or “allegiance”
While these matters were being arranged, a hostile rumor was circulated against the Jewish nation by some who conspired to do them ill, a pretext being given by a report that they hindered others from the observance of their customs. The Jews, however, continued to maintain goodwill and unswerving loyalty (pistis) toward the dynasty —3 Maccabees 3:2–3 (NOT BIBLE)
The solution to our artificial and unbiblical conflict between “faith” and “works” is to use English words which are FAITHFUL to the original message that “you’re saved by allegiance, not by works OF THE LAW”
For by grace you have been saved through allegiance [pistis]. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works [ergon], so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works [ergon], which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:8-10
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through the allegiance of Jesus the Christ, so we also have given allegiance to the Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by the allegiance of the Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. —Galatians 2:16 (Bates)
King Jesus the Christ’s invitation has always been to mission
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” —Genesis 1:27–28
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” —Matthew 4:19
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20
Eternal Life is the promise needed to make the sacrifices necessary to succeed in Christ’s mission
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in (“gives pistis unto”) him should not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16
THINKIT. DOIT. CHANGEIT.
What was the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?
What are you going to do about what the Holy Spirit was saying to you through this message?
What can we (or others) do to help you succeed in what you’re going to do about what the Holy Spirit was saying to you throughout this message?