Recently I found myself in a bit of a law vs grace conversation on the internet with a Torah Keeper. There were several points of their theology to which I had disagreement with and found to be unbiblical. I think the largest flaw in the persons view and arguments came across in the following statement, "We know Noah wasn't perfect, but that he was keeping the Instructions and he found grace in the keeping of them and righteousness was imparted to him!" I'd like to examine this in light of what the Bible teaches.
In reading the statement, this is what I see... Noah was obedient to God and as a result of his obedience, he was given grace and righteousness was imparted to him by obedience. This is a statement of works salvation. The statement seems to say the Noah earned the grace given to him because of what he did and that by implication, we too can earn Gods favor by doing the right things. Obedience, then grace. Is this a biblically correct statement?
Let's go to Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. If we look at what was written here in scripture, we begin to see a different story. This verse is a very brief synopsis of the Genesis account. God first gives grace to Noah, warning him. Noah then, by faith, believes God's warning. Noah then acts on that faith by being obedient to what God was telling him. Grace, then faith, then obedience.
We first run across Noah in Genesis 5's list of generations. The first specifics of Noah outside of that was that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (v9). Then we see something of Noah character in verse 9, "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Did Noah receive the grace of salvation in the Ark because of his justness and perfection? Or was it that Noah lived just and perfect in his generation because of his faith? the clarification in Hebrews would suggest that it was by faith that Noah lived rightly. He had over 500 years of life in a world that had gone to sin. It seemed he was the last man left who remembered the Lord.
Going back to Hebrew 11, we see a key verse that precedes Noah's mention and ties right in with the Genesis account. Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Noah would never had found any favor with God or experiences His grace had he not by faith believed God existed. He could have done all the right things legally to be considered righteous by men, but never would be pleasing in Yahweh's eyes if Noah was an atheist.
Lets look at Romans 4:16 "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all," This is consistent with the account. Noah had faith in the grace that God showed to him which caused Noah to be obedient.
We see this principle found in Ephesians also. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Our salvation is not earned. It is offered by the grace of our creator. It has nothing to do with us or what we do. It is all about God and what He did through His son Jesus. We will never attain righteousness by our own actions. Isaiah says of our works, Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Our obedience therefore is not obedience to curry Gods favor, but out of faith in believing God, and in God, that His grace is sufficient. God's grace is offered regardless and independently of any action we do. We are all guilty before they eyes of a perfectly righteous God. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This is the grace that is offered to us. There is nothing we can do to earn this. Our best is as filthy rags. We can only receive this grace through faith. The result of that faith and our of thankfulness for that grace, we believe and do as God says do cheerfully and joyfully without fear.
We also must remember that Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. People have different levels of faith based on time spent living in the way. A new believer is not going to have the same knowledge as someone who has lived and studied the faith in faith for decades. People have been under different teachers who have emphasized different points. We must be patient with our fellow believers. Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
I will close with these words from I Peter 3, who shares with us some characteristics that we ought to be obedient to in faith, 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
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