What Works?
What Works?
What are the works we are to do as potential members of the headquarters team of Christ?
First, a little review, to get rid of the programming that most have received when at an impressionable age. The idea that salvation is a gift is true. It is a gift from God. Otherwise, none of us would ever have a chance. It is through the grace (unmerited pardon) from God that we may receive the gift of salvation. Unfortunately, most religious leaders would have you believe that when you receive the gift of salvation, you just sit on it and do nothing for the rest of your life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s study that particular deception.“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The cheap grace advocates will point out the words “…not of works…” to try to indicate there are no works expected of a converted Christian.
However, it is stated, “…not of works, lest any man should boast…”, meaning don’t brag about works because salvation is the gift from God.
Cheap grace advocates love Ephesians 2:8-9 because it seems to back up their “no works” idea about salvation.
However, all it takes to debunk the “no works” idea is to proceed to the very next verse of scripture.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (verse 10).
We are created unto good works! Don’t let the deceptive leaders fool you. Christ doesn't want you to be lazy.
Faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:26).
The obvious question becomes: What works?
What works?
Feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, helping the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison (Matthew 25:35-36).
To physically do all the above is certainly commendable. However there is a deeper spiritual work that is infinitely more important.
Feed the hungry:
Provide people with a knowledge of Christ because Christ is the bread from heaven that gives eternal life (John 6:51).Give water to the thirsty:
The Holy Spirit is the living water, the only water that can completely satisfy the thirst. Disciples of Christ become conduits of the living water (John 7:38).Helping the stranger:
We should have hospitality to all without grudging (1 Peter 4:9). We should even love our enemies (Luke 6:27).Clothing the naked:
If you convert someone to Christ you are making it possible for them to be clothed with white linen. White linen is symbolic of the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8).Visiting the sick:
We should eat with sinners and bring them to salvation. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick (Matthew 9:11-12, Mark 2:16-17, Luke 5:30-32).Visiting those in prison:
In today's world many people lack direction and see no purpose in their life. Their life is their prison. Provide people with the truth. The truth will set them free (John 8:32).Do this and Christ can say of you: “For I was hungry and you gave me meat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. Naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came unto me” (Matthew 25:35-36).
“…inasmuch as you did it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40”
Remember these words and don’t get fooled into a false salvation. Anyone who teaches you to be lazy has no interest in you having a relationship with your Redeemer.
-wilyelder
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Questions? Send them to 8v@8v.com