Works

[PATrobas]

Reminders – Works

            There is much confusion and misunderstanding both in the unbelieving world and in Christianity concerning what the Bible says about works and the role they play in God’s judgement of man. This confusion comes first, because Satan has blinded the minds of them who do not believe the Gospel of the Bible, ^{2 Corinthians 4:3-4} and second, because all humans are endowed with a conscience that discerns both good and evil. ^{Genesis 3:4-5} Satan’s goal from the beginning was to convince man that his good works would save him. Then, because man is led by his conscience, he learns that good deeds are rewarded, and his evil deeds are punished. The tragic result is, instead of turning to God for His mercy and grace, man creates a god in his own image that rewards human effort. This then becomes a religion of good works to please his man-made god. Absolution for failure comes when their guilty conscience looks for and receives a quasi-blessing from their religious authority. Payment for their sin is made by doing more good works or paying money to the institution. It is heartbreaking that they have never been taught about the grace of God. They have become as Paul describes his unbelieving Hebrew brethren, “For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” ^{Romans 10:3-4}

            True Christianity teaches that all people are conceived and born in a lost state and condemned en masse. Individuals are not condemned because of doing bad works, (also called sins) but because each one is born with Adams sin nature. They remain condemned in their lost state because of their unbelief of the Gospel. Bad works (or sins) are the result of that unbelief, with hell being their final destiny. Conversely, a lost man can be saved, receiving eternal life by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He is not saved by doing good works, (also called righteousness, holiness, or godliness) but because he has been born again. He received a new nature of God, and good works were the result of that faith, with heaven being their final destiny. So then, good works are the result of faith and bad works are the result of unbelief. God does not judge our works for salvation. He judges whether we believe Him or not. “Now to him that works [for salvation] the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” ^{Romans 4:4-5}

            Final Thoughts: Human effort produced the putting on of fig leaves to cover sin. God shed the blood of an innocent animal to cover that same sin, then He Himself came to earth as a perfect human being, shedding His own blood to take away the sin and sins of the whole world. It is God’s work that saves, not man’s work. How are we saved? “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that [faith] is not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ^{Ephesians 2:8-9} Why are we saved? “But after the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…” ^{Titus 3:4-5} Amen.     _ph

[CaptWalker]

All I know is from hearing some preachers/teachers questioning or even ignoring the book of James, but praising Paul for r his Epistles of GRACE...which are essential of course, but at the same time if you do have faith then you will or should have some WORKS also to back up what you believe in. 

Edited July 13, 2024 by CaptWalker

[D. Adrien]

2 minutes ago, CaptWalker said:

All I know is from hearing some preachers/teachers talking bad about James and praising Apostle Paul for his Epistles of GRACE...which are essential of course, but at the same time if you do have faith then you will or should have some WORKS also to back up what you believe in. 

Agree. Works are a product of a real faith. Even the demons believe but their belief isn't based on faith because they have seen Him since they too are spirit and have rebelled trying to have all of humanity rebel.

[AnOrangeCat]

2 hours ago, CaptWalker said:

All I know is from hearing some preachers/teachers questioning or even ignoring the book of James, but praising Paul for r his Epistles of GRACE...which are essential of course, but at the same time if you do have faith then you will or should have some WORKS also to back up what you believe in. 

I've noticed a lot of people ignoring James as well, which is a shame. I find that its emphasis on the role of works is in line with relevant teachings from Jesus, Who definitely spoke on the importance of actions. It goes back a long way anyway. Martin Luther was apparently not a fan of the book, but its inclusion in canon survived him.

[Neighbor]

2 hours ago, D. Adrien said:

Even the demons believe but their belief isn't based on faith because they have seen Him since they too are spirit and have rebelled trying to have all of humanity rebel.

Interesting, yet where I do wonder is there the basis within the Bible for concluding that because a demon is spirit that it sees Jesus, as spirit?

Rabbi Paul saw Jesus, yet he believed by faith and not by sight, did he not? Seems to me seeing is not believing, and believing ( \In the Faith of Jesus) is not eliminated for having seen. I may see Jesus but not have belief in his faith. Jesus may see His Father but it is His faith  in His Father that enabled Him to  become the Passover lamb, least I think that is so. 

Paul saw Jesus literally, but walked by faith, that is my present understanding.

Anyway  interesting presumption; that demons  do not believe by faith. Seems to me that they do have by faith an understanding of the time for God's judgement, already decided,  to fall upon them.

[other one]

11 hours ago, PATrobas said:

Why are we saved? “But after the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…” ^{Titus 3:4-5} Amen.     _ph

Please also take this into consideration:::

Quote

Matt 25:31-46

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.  34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'  37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'  40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,  43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'  44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'  45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'  46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
ESV

 

 

These people are going to hell because they did not do the works expected by Jesus.   I agree that we are not saved by works for we can't do anything to deserve salvation, but there are things and a way of life we are expected to do once we have declared Jesus as our Lord, and if we don't do them, it's off to the fires for us.

[Desopixi Seilynam]

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:5-6

He that obeys the Son has everlasting life: and he that does not obey the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 3:36

My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:27

I say unto you that hear, love.......
Luke 6:27

This is my teaching, that you love one another,
as I have loved you.
John 15:12

The words that I speak to you they are spirit and they are life.
John 6:63

He that does not love me, does not keep my teachings.
John 14:24

If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ,
let that person be Anathema! Oh Lord Come!
1 Corinthians 16:22
 

Because as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the children of God.
Romans 8:14

 

after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
which is the earnest of our inheritance,
until the redemption of the purchased possession
Ephesians 1:13
(You are the purchased possession. You have been given a down payment for, you!)

You have been bought with a price,
therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6:20

 

 

Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?
And Jesus answered and said, if any man loves me, he will keep my teachings.
John 14:24

You disciples go out into all the world and teach all nations.
Baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19-20

Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your household.
And they told him all the teaching of the Lord, and to his household,
and they baptized them all that very night.
Acts 16:30-33

Blessed are they that do Jesus' commands,
that they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city....
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify these things in the Churches
Revelation 22:14-16

If anyone disobeys the Torah, and does not abide in the teachings of Jesus,
they do not have God. He that abides in the teachings of Jesus has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you preaching and does not bring this doctrine, do not give him a greeting
neither let him into your house lest you be partaker of his evil deeds.
2 John 1:9-11

If anyone preaches otherwise and consents not to wholesome words,
even to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud knowing nothing.
1 Timothy 6:3-4

 

 

 

 

[CaptWalker]

Well even after all the times I've read it I am still somewhat surprised by Christ's reaction to the servant who hid his "talent" in the ground. It sounds like God was really angry at him and not at all hesitant to have him cast into the outer darkness! Now that is a SCARY thought if you are one who tends to make light of works and puts all your stock into Faith ALONE! Or maybe I'm just missing the main message from this parable?

Edited July 13, 2024 by CaptWalker

[AnOrangeCat]

2 hours ago, other one said:

These people are going to hell because they did not do the works expected by Jesus.   I agree that we are not saved by works for we can't do anything to deserve salvation, but there are things and a way of life we are expected to do once we have declared Jesus as our Lord, and if we don't do them, it's off to the fires for us.

I agree. This is something I see as a very strong message, and it seems compatible with the notion of salvation by the grace of God. We're told that we know a tree by its fruit and that if we love Jesus we'll keep his commandments. Similarly without faith it's impossible to please God, and faith without works is dead. We have the parable of the wise virgins and the foolish virgins. The wise ones took action that showed they were ready. The foolish virgins could certainly claim to have been ready but their works told a different story. At least to me this all paints a picture that our actions demonstrate faith in God and love for Him.

[AnOrangeCat]

4 minutes ago, CaptWalker said:

Well even after all the times I've read it I am still somewhat surprised by Christ's reaction to the servant who hid his "talent" in the ground. It sounds like God was really angry at him and not at all hesitant to have him cast into the outer darkness! Now that is a SCARY thought if you are one who tends to make light of works and puts all your stock into Faith ALONE! Or maybe I'm just missing the main message from this parable?

I think you've got the general idea, but the servant was, at least IMO, a bit snarky with his master. If you look it over you see the servant basically saying "I know you're harsh and you reap what you haven't sown..." Converted to modern parlance I don't think it'd be a stretch to rephrase that as "I know you're mean and profit off of other people's work..."

Can you imagine talking to your employer like that? That's a fast track to getting fired. What I see in that is that the servant passed a judgment on the master and then the master turned it around on him. Since the servant knew (or possibly "knew". I lean toward this interpretation because entrusting people with money registers as a form of sowing, making the servant's accusations come off as slander) his master was this way and cited fear as a motivation for his actions why didn't he at least do a bare minimum so that his master would be able to "reap where he hadn't sown"? The servant's works (or lack thereof) in this paint the picture of someone who was lazy, and more subtly IMO it points to the two of them not having a good relationship. If the servant loved his master then surely he would have tried to please him as opposed to doing nothing and then slandering him when he was made to account for how he managed the money.