Exodus 23

“For I will place the inhabitants of the land under your control, and you will drive them out ahead of you. You must not make a covenant with them or their gods. They must not remain in your land, or else they will make you sin against Me. If you worship their gods, it will be a snare for you.”  Exodus 23:31b-33 (HCSB)

These verses have all three components of salvation & victorious living: Grace, Works, and Faith.  

The passage might be viewed as a metaphor for personal salvation, with our bodies representing the “land.” After all, mankind began as nothing more than God’s breath on a handful of dirt! (Genesis 2:7)  

The “former inhabitants” represent the sinful ways that used to control us. “Israel” represents us, our souls, delivered. The “idols/gods” are the goals that sinful nature pursues.

GRACE- The system that God allows, whereby mankind can be saved through faith (instead of being perfect in righteousness), is Grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Deliverance/salvation through man’s faithful belief is God’s gift. Otherwise, our righteousness would be weighed purely against the virtue of our works. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Since God’s standard is PERFECTION, it is impossible for us to do enough “good works” to earn salvation.

God’s Grace was displayed in this passage by placing Israel in control of the “former inhabitants.”  “Accepting God’s Grace” means we faithfully believe God’s righteousness has delivered us. (Sometimes, even before the deliverance occurs!)  Even though “former inhabitants” may still be present, He promises to go before us, driving them out in proportion to our faithful willingness to fight. (Romans 6:23)

FAITH- Saving knowledge of the unseen meant that Israel had to trust God against unknown lands, nations, and gods. Israel drove out the land’s former inhabitants to the extent that they had faith in God’s promise. Do you believe in God’s promise of salvation to the extent that you would faithfully (and sometimes forcefully) turn from your sin, sending the message, “Don’t come back!”?

WORKS- The “life” of faith is Works. Have you continued to discipline yourself, armed with God’s promises in His Word, to drive out those “former inhabitants”?   Continue working hard to destroy all goals & motivations that would cause you to abandon God!  

We are not saved by Faith and Works. We are (gracefully) saved by Faith that Works!