“Scripture teaches that faith does not consist in the observance of the commands of Christ. It does so in more than one way, when: (1) in its definitions it distinguishes faith and works, saying that the former is receiving Christ (John 1:12) and “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1), and that the latter on the contrary is the “fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:10). (2) It distinguishes faith and obedience as cause and effect (Gal. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:5). (3) It assigns different effects to each: it assigns to faith justification (Rom. 3–4; Gal. 2–3; Eph. 2:8), adoption (John 1:12), and union with Christ (Eph. 3:17), and takes these things away from obedience or good works (Gal. 3:2, 5). (4) It also asserts a different norm for each: for faith, the gospel (Mark 1:15); for obedience, the law (Matt. 22:37; Rom. 13:8–10). In fact, (5) at least in the matter of justification, it opposes faith and obedience or good works (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16).”

PETRUS VAN MASTRICHT, THEORETICAL-PRACTICAL THEOLOGY, VOLUME 2: FAITH IN THE TRIUNE GOD, 54.