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Jumpstarter 10 of 10

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Romans Commentary Chapters 9-16  /  Romans 11:1-6: God Has Reserved a Remnant of Israel  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
The lesson insists Paul is rejecting “works of the law” (circumcision, Sabbaths, new moons, sacrifices), not “works of righteousness,” and quotes Wesley that many are “more afraid of the works of God than…of the works of the devil”; in what concrete ways does that fear show up today (in preaching, discipleship, conscience, parenting), and what would it look like to “unite righteous works with grace” without turning grace “vain”?
Another way to ask: What are some real ways people today are afraid to stress obedience or good works (in preaching, parenting, conscience, discipleship), and what would it look like to join grace with right living without making grace meaningless?

Direct Answer Based on the transcript, the fear shows up when Christians treat careful obedience as suspicious or “legalism,” and the remedy is to hold grace as a free gift while also insisting that righteous living must follow grace so it does not become “vain.”

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot says Paul rejects “ritualistic works of the law” (circumcision, sacrifices, “Sabbaths and new moons”), not “godly Christian works.”
  • Origen: the one justified by grace must “take care that the grace he receives does not become vain in him.”
  • Origen cites Paul: “His grace toward me was not in vain, for I labored…yet not I, but the grace of God,” showing grace produces labor/obedience.
  • Origen’s conclusion: the faithful person “unites righteous works with grace,” showing he is not “ungrateful.”
  • Bercot critiques a climate where believers fear conscientious obedience: many are “afraid…if they are scrupulously conscientious about obeying His commandments.”
  • Wesley is quoted: “more afraid of the works of God than…of the works of the devil.”
Discussion Follow-ups What would change if churches taught obedience as the normal fruit of grace rather than a threat to grace? How can we clearly reject law-works as saving merit while still calling believers to the “will of the Father” Jesus describes?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10
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