A quick word on sola fide and conduct
Sola fide or "faith alone" is so important that it extends past the question of salvation and affects how we live our lives.
As an example, consider the incident at Antioch. Paul writes in Galatians 2:12–13, “For before certain men came from James, [Peter] was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” Paul highlights this incident because “their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel” (v. 14).
If the Gentiles have come to full faith in Christ, and Christ tore down the partition between the two, then Peter and the rest of the Jews shouldn’t be acting as though works like diet choices or the flesh (i.e., nationality) can make someone a second-class Kingdom citizen.
Paul goes on to explain the point. He writes that “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” Even if we sin, we don’t make Christ a transgressor, and the reality is that we’ve died to the Law to live for God (cf. vv. 17–19).
As an example, consider the incident at Antioch. Paul writes in Galatians 2:12–13, “For before certain men came from James, [Peter] was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” Paul highlights this incident because “their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel” (v. 14).
If the Gentiles have come to full faith in Christ, and Christ tore down the partition between the two, then Peter and the rest of the Jews shouldn’t be acting as though works like diet choices or the flesh (i.e., nationality) can make someone a second-class Kingdom citizen.
Paul goes on to explain the point. He writes that “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” Even if we sin, we don’t make Christ a transgressor, and the reality is that we’ve died to the Law to live for God (cf. vv. 17–19).
The big point is to see faith alone as the means of justification in Christ. We must hold to this so tightly that we don't act or treat others as through anything else may be true. We must avoid any temptation to be embarrassed by such a stand, even if that means that we are found among new Christians who don't line up with all the expectations of other Christians.
Otherwise, our conduct won't be in step with the gospel.
See also basic Christian love on this.
