What is the difference between sins and dead works?
Sins are man's violations of the righteousness of God, and they were judged on the cross. Dead works are something else entirely: man's attempts to work his way to God and earn His approval, his human good. Sins are never called dead works in the Bible; that term belongs to human effort that can never reach God, as in Hebrews 6:1-2.
Also asked: What is the difference between sinning against God and doing good works to gain His approval? · How does the Bible distinguish between sin and trying to be good enough for God?
Also asked, more loosely
What sets sinful actions apart from man's attempts to earn God's favor through good deeds?
Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 4, Lesson 4-1 - Perspective—Grace (Review q3) · Read this lesson in the book →
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Related questions
- What is God’s evaluation of the good that man can produce?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
- To whom did Jesus direct the story of the Pharisee and the publican in Luke 18?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
- What does the Bible teach about the purpose and manifestation of God's Glory?Romans 5:1-2 · The Basics
- What is the substance of spiritual power?Romans 5:1-2 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about judging in the Christian life?Romans 5:1-2 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about the righteousness of God?Hebrews 6:1-2 · The Basics
See also
- Describe (with biblical references) the development of Paul’s “self-image” as he matured.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
- Describe the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
- Describe the tax collectors of Jesus’ day.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
- Describe the prayers of the Pharisee and the publican in Jesus’ story.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
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