Saved Unto Good Works

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them"  (Eph. 2:10, ESV).

We are not saved without works to prove our faith.  We are saved by faith alone, but not that kind of faith that is alone, via the formula of the Reformers.  Faith is the gift of God (2 Pet. 1:1; Phil. 1:29; Rom. 12:3), but we are expected to put it into action. You can distinguish faith and works, but cannot separate them because they go hand in hand as being complimentary!   Actually, faith is knowledge in action!  We don't have faith, we do it and show it!  We are not saved by faith plus good works, as legalists believe, but faith unto good works.  

But Works prove faith, but are not the substitute for it.  If you have no good works, your faith is bogus or suspect!  Actually, we are ordained to do good works for God's glory as of the fulfillment of our faith (cf. Eph. 2:10). This is called putting your faith into practice or walking the walk!  John 13:17 (ESV) says, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

The problem with a works religion is that you never know your status and cannot have the security and assurance of salvation.  We are incurably addicted to doing something for our salvation (cf. John 6:28-29), and Jesus said the work of God is to believe in Him.  We are not saved by good works, it is said, but we are not saved without them either.  Works is just evidence of our salvation, and not a means of salvation.  Paul would say, "I'll show you my faith by my good works," while James would counter:  "I'll show you my good works by my faith!" James went on to say that faith without works is dead in James 2:17, 20.  

Note, works are important, for we are judged by our works, not our faith (cf. Romans 2:6).  We are not saved by our service, but unto service.  We were "created unto good works," or you could say we are His workmanship and our works are destined beforehand.  As we do good works we glorify God and represent Jesus to the world, as Dorcas was "full of good works and acts of charity" (cf. Acts 9:36).

Antinomians would have you believe that we are saved by faith minus works! The reason that we are saved apart from the works of the law and therefore we can live in a lawless manner.  We are not lawless and never receive the right to live according to personal whim.  We never have the right to do or live as we please or to do what is wrong!  God doesn't grant the license to do what's right in our own eyes, as Israel did in Judges 21:25 ("Each man did what was right in his own eyes...").  

There is a close relationship between works and faith--they can be distinguished, but not separated.   Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that only he who is obedient believes and only he who believes is obedient.  Obedience is the criterion for genuine faith and the only measure of it.  Feelings and ecstasies are not the measures of faith, but obedience is, and faith is the only thing that pleases God!

The Scripture equips us for all good works and gives us all we need to do God's will His way (cf. 2 Tim. 3:17). If we were saved by good works, it is argued, we would have reason to boast in God's presence. In the final analysis, the faith you have is the faith you show!  There is such a thing as works without faith, but not faith without works in God's eyes.  We must translate our creeds into deeds!  We must take the leap of faith in obedience:  "But they have not all obeyed the gospel..." (Rom. 10:16, ESV.

In sum, let me quote two verses:  "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works" (Titus 3:8, ESV).  God wants to "purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14, ESV, emphasis mine).  Soli Deo Gloria!

That I Might Not Sin Against God

  "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance..." (Luke 3:8, ESV).  "... [T]hat they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance"  (Acts 26:20, ESV).
"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God"  (Heb. 6:1, ESV).
"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death"  (2 Cor. 7:10, ESV).

The psalmist prayed that he might not sin against God, and that's why he hid God's Word in his heart (cf. Psalm 119:11).  All sin is ultimately against God--even sins against our neighbor are also against Him--because they offend His righteousness and holy standards.  Samuel writes:  "If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" (1 Sam. 2:25, NASB).  Job also wondered who could intercede for him and be a "Daysman betwixt" (cf. Job 9:33) him and God to lay hands on them both.

We can sin against our brother by offending him:  "And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ"  (1 Cor. 8:12, NASB).  David prayed in Psalm 51:4 that he had sinned against God alone!  Sometimes it seems like our sins are private matters and there are no injured parties or victims, but Moses prays:  "You have placed our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence"  (Psalm 90:8, NASB).  God knows all about us, and the good thing is that He did before we were saved and is surprised by none of our sins, but forgave them all upon salvation--past, present, and future; therefore, God's forgiveness is much like an Etch A Sketch that you can erase any trace of what's on the board forever!

The only way we could be infinitely forgiven (no matter what we do) is to have an infinite atonement from an infinitely holy God, who intercedes on our behalf.  That's why David prays for God to be gracious "according to [His] lovingkindness (Psalm 51:1, NASB).  God is able to "blot out" our sin much like a computer deleting memory banks never to be retrieved again.  God literally throws our sins behind His back (cf. Isa. 43:25), and into the bottom of the sea (cf. Mic. 7:19)--He also wipes them out "for His own sake"  (cf. Isaiah 44:22).

God is just and holy and therefore must deal with sin, but He is also full of compassion and can be both just and the Justifier.  David prays:  "Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities" (Psa. 51:8, NASB).  This is doubtless because David felt shame when he was told he was "the man," and remorse for what he had done. He also had faith that God was big enough to forgive him and to bury his sins, not to be remembered again--this is not just forgiveness, but freedom from guilt.

True repentance always brings with it conviction and remorse: a desire to make restitution and things right with God.  Grace is not cheap; we are expected to not only change our opinions about our sins, but our behavior.  True repentance is a requisite for salvation, though it doesn't stop there; we are to be penitent all our lives.  What it entails is a complete change of heart, mind, and will, and a turnaround or change from the inside out, not just turning over a new leaf, making a New Year's resolution, or making an AA pledge.  Repentance, like faith, is the gift of God and it is granted (cf. Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:24).

We must "come clean" or own up to our sins and have the faith to let God change us into new persons:  "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come"  (2 Cor. 5:17, NASB). However, we are works in progress and God never gives up on us (Phil. 1:6 says, "...he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion...").  What the Christian life is, is a new life in Christ which began by putting Him in charge!  If there's no fruit, there's no repentance; there must be evidence of a change of a resultant change of behavior. 

Jesus said to Peter at the Last Supper in the Upper Room that if He couldn't wash us, we could have no part of Him.  When we get convicted we must confess them and then we will be washed from iniquity and cleansed from our sin (cf. Psa. 51:2).  The way to walk in the Spirit involves constant confession (the closer you get to God, the more sensitive and aware you become of sin and falling short of His holy standard).  The first of the 95 Theses of Martin Luther was that repentance was not a one-time event but a progressive element of our walk:  When we confess our sins according to 1 John 1:9, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  

This means that God wipes the slate clean of sins we are unaware of too.  As we grow we realize what real sinners we are and what a real Savior Christ is--it seems like each time we are restored to fellowship by forgiveness we feel all the more grateful and aware of His grace. He who is forgiven much loves much.  Christ doesn't forgive us by quantity, but quality, it's the thoroughness of it that matters, and when we confess our sins we are only regaining fellowship, not salvation.

What repentance is not:  Attrition is not repentance but the only fear-motivated change of mind.  Repentance requires a full change of heart, not just your opinions of sin.  It's not just making an apology to God for your sin or saying you're sorry, either.  Judas was very sorry but didn't repent, because his sorrow wasn't matched with faith that God could and would forgive him.  It does not regret that we got caught in a sin, like a kid getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar--sorry about the consequences, not the sin.  Some people think that repentance is just fear of punishment or of hell, and look upon it as fire insurance.  True repentance involves a radical change of heart (that includes your emotions, mind, and will).  We must follow through with our determination to turn our backs on sin and hate sin just like God does.

What does authentic, genuine repentance look like?  First of all, there's no genuine repentance without saving faith and vice versa. We are to offer no lame excuses for our sin or even to rationalize why we do it--there's no excuse!   Repentance is a recurring motif in the NT with roughly 70 references.  It is the mandate that both John the Baptist and Christ opened their ministries with: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!"  There are many ways to look at it:  The about-face; the U-turn; the turnaround; the 180-degree turn.  

We must renounce our known sins or repudiate any sin that we feel convicted of (not just having a vague sense of guilt, but the Holy Spirit performing an open-and-shut case to convict us), and come clean and honest with God--no playing games, especially the blame game!  Note that we can simply feel sorry about something we did just like Judas did, and not have genuine repentance (this is attrition as opposed to contrition).  We must own up to our wrongdoing and call a spade a spade.  Sometimes there is a sin we love and we have a tendency to not repent of that one that easily besets us (cf. Heb. 12:1).

It is key to understand that repentance and faith go hand in hand and are complementary:  "testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ"  (Acts 20:21, ESV).  Repentance is turning from sin and faith is turning to God!  This is called believing repentance or penitent faith; that's what pleases God.  David prayed:  "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, and broken and contrite heart--these O God, You will not despise"  (Psalm 51:17, NASB, italics mine).   Soli Deo Gloria!

Work Ethic

 "[T]hat the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work"  (2 Tim. 3:17, ESV).
"[E]ach one's work will become manifest..." (1 Cor. 3:13, ESV).
"For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do"  (Heb. 6:10, ESV).
"...bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God"  (Col. 1:10, ESV).
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"  (Matt. 11:28, ESV).

Jesus said that He had "accomplished the work that [God] gave [him] to do" (cf. John 17:4, ESV). We are all here for a purpose, we are not to just take up space without purpose, but part of our dignity from being in the image of God is to find meaning in work. This begs the question:  Are we living or merely existing?  We don't work for work's sake, as if we are workaholics, but to glorify God--Augustine said that to work is to worship!  Martin Luther first brought dignity to manual labor when he said it could be done to the glory of God--previously it had been held in contempt.  When we fulfill the purpose God has for us we are headed to glory as David had fulfilled all the will of God and when he had fulfilled God's purpose he was laid to rest in peace (cf. Acts 13:36).

 Man is hard-wired for work and is not meant for idleness, which can destroy his soul (cf. Neh. 6:3, NLT:  "...'I am engaged in a great work...'").  We have a need for meaningful work, and also to glorify God in it.  Jesus knew what hard work was and how to get down and dirty with the men.  When he took off his cloak and got a towel to wash the disciples' feet, this was a chore only fit for non-Jewish slaves.  But the true message is that we should never think some task or chore is beneath our dignity, honor, or status.  We need to be ambitious, but not in a selfish manner.  Cursed is the one who is slack in the Lord's work (cf. Ezekiel 48:10).  The work ethic is largely the result of Protestantism and it can be clearly seen in Scripture.

Note the Jews in Nehemiah, who "had a mind to work!" (Cf. Nehemiah 4:6).  In other words, they worked with enthusiasm or spunk!  Actually, enthusiasm means to put God into something--how fitting a word!  Just like our spiritual gifts, in that we should not get elitist and think we have a superior gift, but stay humble and faithful to our God-given assignment in the Lord, so we are not to look down on any laborer whose work is done in the name of the Lord.  Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that if we are unwilling to work or don't have time for it, we shouldn't eat either.  This verse was quoted by Captain John Smith in Jamestown, our first permanent settlement in America by the British.

Sometimes it seems there is nothing to do, but there is always the Lord's work and Ecclesiastes says it bluntly:  "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might..." (Eccl. 9:10, ESV). In doing your work, it's paramount that you have the right mindset, that you're doing it to the glory of God.  Three workers were asked what they were doing:  The first said he was laying bricks; the second that he was earning so much an hour; the third said he was building a cathedral!  Now, don't you see that if you see things clearly with God's viewpoint you can find purpose and meaning in any task? Also note:  Brother Lawrence, known for his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, writes that he can communicate with God no matter what his chore is, even while washing dishes he multi-tasked and kept his communication channel or dialogue with God going and open.

Even in mental health facilities, they have "work therapy" to give purpose, meaning, and fulfillment to patients and to gauge their progress towards therapeutic mental hygiene.  Note:  We never really retire from the Lord's work and should always be ready to do His bidding and will; the reason so many feel bored after retirement is that they never equated the two (God's will and work for us that is bigger than our lives).  In other words, we should invest our life in something that will outlast it and set our goals so that we can serve God no matter what happens.

To sum up, all work can be done to glorify God (cf. Col. 3:17,23) and we can enter into God's labor and enjoy His food or find fulfillment, i.e., to do the will of God as we accomplish His work (cf. John 4:34), as nothing we do for the Lord will be in vain, but be rewarded. God gave the work order to Adam and Eve to till the garden; therefore work is no curse.  We reflect God's glory in our work, and so Haggai 2:4 exhorts us to "work" for God is with us!   Soli Deo Gloria! 

If We Grow Up

Note these verses with my emphasis: 

"[U]ntil we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13, ESV).  
"'When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.   When I became a man, I gave up childish ways"  (1 Cor.  13:11, ESV).  
"[So] that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes"  (Eph. 4:14, ESV).
"Mark the perfect [mature] man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace" (Ps. 37:37, ESV).   


We are not only to grow up as people, but as Christians, and, since there is metaphorical language here, I suppose there are similarities too.  We are to grow up, but that's iffy!  A mature person has learned to fend for himself or fight his own battles in the dog-eat-dog world, so to speak, and realizes the responsibility for his time, talents, resources, gifts, choices, money, and opportunities.  He usually has his passions and emotions under restraint and otherwise also has a certain degree of self-control and virtue. Likewise: Believing in Christ is only the first step to walking worthy of our Lord; a mature person is a good example and so a mature Christian is a good witness and has a consistent testimony, even though his actions may sometimes speak louder than his words; a mature Christian has learned to go to Scripture for guidance and has a one-on-one relationship with God (i.e., not second-hand) and is like David, who "strengthened himself in the LORD his God." Note:  We do get encouraged from others (even Paul did!) and benefit from the "assembly together of ourselves," but we learn to walk with Christ and to stay in fellowship with Him, as we keep short accounts of our sins and confess them, and "practice the presence of God" as Brother Lawrence (the 17th-century Carmelite, French monk) penned it.

We are always to strive towards obedience to the Word and apply what we do learn in Scripture to ourselves (cf. Job 5:27) the more we know, the more responsibility we have to apply what we know.  Paul says in Eph. 4:15 that we are "to grow up in all aspects into Him" and this means bearing the image of Christ to the world while we partake of the divine nature (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4).  You could make many analogies between mature people and mature believers, but one thing to note:   Even Paul declared that he had arrived and had "laid hold of it yet" as he said in Phil. 3:12, where he denied being "perfect."  Note:  Perfection is indeed the goal for all of us, but the direction is the test as we are to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect [or mature] (cf. Matt. 5:48).

Now, the ironic thing is that we are striving for perfection but we will never get there!  (The words for perfect and mature are similar or the same.)   "... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God'  (Gen. 6:9, KJV).  There are so-called mature believers who fall into sin just like others because no one is exempt from temptation--even David was out of fellowship about a year after his adulterous affair.  We are mature when we know who we are in the Lord and realize how God uses us and what His will is.  We all have a calling to fulfill in Christ.  Now, I realize that being used by God is no proof of maturity, because God can use a donkey if He chooses, and God does use immature believers as well. However, only believers are vessels of honor.  But the major difference is to "fulfill your calling" and to "complete your ministry" in Christ with FAITHFULNESS.  Note these verses in caution: "The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and good conscience and a sincere faith"  (1 Tim. 1:5, ESV);  "... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"   (Gal. 5:6, NIV);  "... [A]nd if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:2, NIV). 

Realize these important criteria:  First, we will be judged according to our faithfulness, not our maturity!  Nowhere do I read, "Well done, thou good and mature servant!"  We are commended for our faith and not our maturity it seems.   What we have to look forward to is Jesus saying to us, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant [cf. Matt. 25:21, italics mine]!   Enter thou into the joy of the Lord!"  Nowhere do I hear Jesus commending us for our maturity; it's assumed that, if you are faithful, you probably are also mature enough to do God's will for your life. Secondly, we are rewarded according to our deeds done in the Spirit (cf. Romans 2:6).

An immature believer is usually seen as one who is:   Ignorant of the Word (cf. Matt. 22:29 where Jesus equated knowing the power of God with knowing Scripture); isn't sure of his salvation; doesn't know the basics of fellowship or even basic doctrine prayer, and witnessing; and especially one who stumbles and keeps falling into sin and needs constant repentance or confession (cf. Gal. 6:1; James 5:16) because he is largely "carnal" like the Corinthians were, and hasn't leaned lordship and how to walk in the Spirit--note that it may be easier to delineate immaturity than maturity.   Concerning lordship:  You cannot become a Christian without bowing and acknowledging the lordship of Christ (I'm referring to lordship salvation as opposed to easy-believism), but we get more than we bargained for, and it takes a while before we realize the implications, cost, and ramifications of our decision--easier said than done!

I've met plenty of immature Christians and most of them are not "spiritual" (however, anyone in the Spirit is spiritual in a biblical sense) but carnal in the sense that it's hard to get a spiritual thought out of them--they seem to limit their spiritual times and thoughts to church or irregular encounters with believers who seem to drag it out of them.  When I meet a believer I do not feel content talking about the local sports teams or the weather, or anything that I could find fellowship with from a nonbeliever, but I expect to get some spiritual fellowship. Christians aren't just "nice" and "social" they're spiritual and godly.

Another thing I have noticed:  Baby or infant believers have a real love for the Lord that they tend to lose over time (for some "have left their first love"), and mature believers maintain it and abide in Christ; one measure is that they love the Word and are faithful in it, while the immature believer neglects it and doesn't see it's a  necessity to a faithful walk in the Spirit.  Remember that the goal of our life is faithfulness, and we will be rewarded according to our measure of faithfulness in what God has assigned us and meted out to us in gifts, choices, talents, time, opportunity, and resources.  As Jesus said, "He who is faithful in little, shall be faithful in much" (cf. Matt. 25:21).


A good measure of maturity is fruit, and this means we are fruit inspectors, but of our own fruit!  We are not to go around accusing others of being immature, but to examine ourselves as to how far we still have to go. The mature believer knows what and why he believes--is settled in the faith, not tossed to and fro.  The more mature we become the more likeness to Christ we gain in our character and become more godlike the ultimate goal.   Just like most people eventually grow up, so most Christians do too; it just takes some longer than others, but God is at work in all believers and won't ever give up:  "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13, NASB); For I am confident of the very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6, NASB).  The goal is Christlikeness (cf. Gal. 4:19, ESV), "until Christ is formed in you!"

And so, as we grow up we become more Christlike and mature in Christ, but most of us eventually do grow up.  Being mature as a person doesn't guarantee to be a mature disciple of Christ either.  Some Christian can be more mature than you as a person, but not as a believer!  Maturity isn't the criterion or measure of faith, but obedience is.  "And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him"  (Heb. 5:9,, ESV).   The true measure of faith and faithfulness (which can be distinguished but never separated) is, therefore, obedience (cf. Heb. 3:18-19; John 3:36).  Maturity, in short, is when Christ is revealed in you and you reflect His glory in doing His will (cf. Gal. 1:16).  It was said of David that he did all of God's will and was a man after God's heart, and this is the epitome of obedience, for "after he had served the purpose of God" (cf. Acts 13:36) he was taken to glory!

There's no one-size-fits-all description of maturity no more than a formula to follow for salvation or right way to worship God (except in the Spirit and in truth). Paul expresses the goal of the preacher: in Phil. 1:28, ESV, emphasis added:  "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."  NOTE:  The biblical definition of maturity is found in Hebrews 5:14:  "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good and evil." 

Finally, our reward is according to our deeds done in the Spirit, not how mature we are:  "He will render to each one according to his works"  (Romans 2:6, ESV).  A word to the wise:  "For this is the will of God, your sanctification"  (1 Thess. 4:3, ESV, emphasis mine).    Soli Deo Gloria!

Genuine Biblical Perusal

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law"  (Psalm 119:18, ESV).  
 "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble" (Psalm 119: 165, ESV). 
"I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil"  (Psalm 119:162, ESV). 
"... I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food"  (Job 23:12, ESV).
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you"  (John 15:7, ESV).
"... But this is the one to whom I will look, he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word"  (Isaiah 66:2, ESV).
"[B]ut his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night"  (Psalm 1:2, ESV). 
"If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction"  (Psalm 119:92, ESV).
"Oh how I love your law!  It is my meditation all the day"  (Psalm 119:97, ESV).  
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple"  (Psalm 119:130, ESV).

SAINT AUGUSTINE, BISHOP OF HIPPO, HEARD A CHILD SAY, "TAKE AND READ; TAKE AND READ."


"[U]ntil what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested [tried] him"  (Psalm 105:19, ESV).  
 
CAVEAT:  DON'T DIVORCE SCRIPTURE FROM SCRIPTURE, TAKING OBSCURE, ISOLATED TEXTS OUT OF CONTEXT, BUT COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE AS ITS OWN SUPREME COURT AND INTERPRETER (PSALM 119:160A, ESV, SAYS, "The sum of your word is truth...") AN OBSCURE PASSAGE MAY BE MADE CLEAR ELSEWHERE ACCORDING TO THE WHOLE CONTEXT OF SCRIPTURE, AND THE IMPLICIT IN LIGHT OF THE EXPLICIT, USING ALL RULES OF SOUND READING AND LOGIC OR INFERENCE.  


We don't just read the Word once and set it aside! If we just want to feel "inspired" we could read Milton or Shakespeare, Christian authors, but if we want our lives transformed, read the Bible!  The Bible is said to read you as you read it!  This book, says D. L. Moody, will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from it.  To those skeptics and critics who doubt:  The Bible can defend itself; no one needs to prove it to you, you prove it yourself by reading it!  It doesn't need to be rewritten, but reread, says Billy Graham.  Even Samuel, the prophet, profited:  "... for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD"(1 Sam. 3:21, ESV).  Its importance is obvious:  "For it is no empty word for you, but your very life..." (Deut. 32:47, ESV).  Focus on this:  It wasn't written to increase our knowledge or make us scholars, but to change our lives and show us how to have a relationship with Jesus, the Author.  How else can we get regular spiritual checkups and take inventory of our spirit and soul?

God's Word feeds us, then makes us hungry, they say.  There is a blessing in the reading of the Word (cf. Rev. 1:3), and it is our only offensive weapon to fight Satan (cf. Eph. 6:17).  Sometimes Bible fatigue may set in and the Word seems to have lost its zing or pizazz, but reading another translation may make it come to life again, because passages can become overly familiar, and you must prime your pump again or recharge your spiritual batteries.  Reading God's Word and interpreting it is a privilege, but with every privilege comes responsibility, and that is to "rightly divide the Word of God" (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15).

It's the Holy Spirit's job to help you understand the Bible (1 Cor. 2:12-13).  A word to the wise:  You have received an "anointing" in the Holy Spirit and "his anointing teaches you about everything," and "you have no need that anyone should teach you," and "he will guide you into all truth," and "teach you all things"  (cf. 1 John 2:27, ESV; John 16:13, ESV; 14:26, ESV).  Truth is timeless and the Word never gets old or out of date, but is always timely and relevant--never passe nor obsolete!

We are commanded to read the Bible in Isaiah 34:16 (ESV):  "Seek and read from the book of the LORD...."  We are to meditate on it too, and this implies reading.  Jeremiah said that he digested the Word, and this implies really thinking and meditating on the nuances and what it means to him.  "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart..."( Jer. 15:16, ESV).  Note that we forget most of what we merely read, and therefore we must learn to commit some beloved passages to memory to always have them in our hearts.

Children haven't yet learned to attend to God via the Word and depend upon the visual, or pictures (videos and movies), but as we mature we think like adults and can attend to the written Word and grow in that skill and discipline.  It is important to realize that it's not as important how much you read, but how well and how well you understand it and apply it to yourself.  Job 5:27 (ESV) says to apply it to ourselves:  "Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.  Hear, and know it for your good."

Note that it's much more important how well we know the Author than the Book, but it is the avenue for knowing Him as we apply its truths.   We need to develop a taste for Bible reading, which can become addictive and the Bible will have the preeminent place in our lives, not just an important place:  "... for you have exalted above all things your name and your word"  (Psalm 138:2, NIV).

We should love the Bible above all the gifts God has given us, according to Abe Lincoln, and it is the one book that we should never want to be without; resolve never to be remiss in daily reading! Timothy was acquainted with Scripture from youth and was exhorted to "give attention to the public reading of Scripture" in (cf. 1 Tim. 4:13).  He devoted himself to that endeavor and his progress then became evident to all, for the Word is what sanctifies (cf. John 17:17).  Note that Jesus rebuked the religious leaders:  "... 'You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God [they're equated]" (Matt. 22:29, ESV). "Give yourself wholly to the Scriptures" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:15).   Caveat:  We are dependent on God's Word:  "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified"  (Acts 20:32, ESV, italics mine).

Famous lines:  "The Word is an elixir for low spirits; balm for sore hearts; immunization for bad habits; pick-me-up for dreary days; stimulant for positive nerves; and a boost and shot for high spirits".  "Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy."  

While reading doesn't perform surgery on the text by reading into it what your preconceived ideas want to read or see.  Read in context and in light of the sum or entirety of the Word (cf. Psalm 119:160).  Beware of subjectivism because no prophecy is of any private interpretation, meaning that God doesn't show you something and not anyone else.  Scripture is its own interpreter and Supreme Court and if you don't understand one obscure passage another one may enlighten you and shed some light on the subject matter.  Read it at face value and as written (poems as poems and narrative as narrative, etc.).  A basic is to interpret narrative in light of didactic passages, not vice versa, and implicit in light of explicit!  With the privilege of reading comes the obligation to interpret it right--no spiritualizing or fabricating your own truths!  Remember, we're not at the mercy of church dogma but have been liberated to have the right to go directly to God's Word and interpret it with the aid of the Holy Spirit as our personal tutor.  

In sum, it's all about abiding in the Word as disciples or learners:  "... If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples..." (John 8:31, ESV, italics mine); "... 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word..." (John 14:23, ESV, italics mine); "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Col. 3:16, ESV). So then, let's keep up our reputation as "people of the Book!").   In closing, it's not about being familiar with the Word, nor having biblical savvy, or knowing your way around the block in Scripture, but of loving the Word and learning to take every problem to it and grow to hear God's voice speaking to you through it--its value is in obeying it, doing it, and even living it, not merely knowing it! (John 13:17, ESV, says, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.").   Soli Deo Gloria!

Once Saved, Always Saved

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out"  (John 6:37, ESV, italics added). 

I am aware that the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, as it is known in Reformed theology (eternal security) is not universally agreed upon by Christians, and that many sincere, well-meaning believers beg to differ (Roman Catholics, Arminians, Wesleyans, Pentecostals, Salvation Army) but the majority of evangelicals, including mainline denominations such as Baptists and Presbyterians, adhere to this as dogma.  This is my position and I know that I must be careful when presenting what is called one of the doctrines of grace ( the "doctrines that divide," by some).

By definition, this doctrine assures the continuity in the state of grace for the redeemed believer and the permanency of his salvation, not based upon works but grace from beginning to end, as we are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation (cf. 1 Pet. 1:5).   God finishes what He starts and He has begun a good work in us in order to complete it in Christ (cf. Phil. 1:6). 

This aphorism is well known and quoted by skeptics who think it sums up evangelical teaching about salvation.  Also, if you have it, you never lose it; if you lose it, you never had it.   It is not meant as a security blanket so that one has the license to sin without impunity, and this is the fear, that people will lose their fear of God and become remiss in their walk.  Catholics firmly believe and teach fear of God and are quite successful at this, because they deny security and even assurance unless one is given a special divine revelation to that effect.  They would call a believer who is sure of his salvation as guilty of the sin presumption!  The Bible doesn't call it that but calls it a command to be sure in 2 Pet. 1:10 ("make your calling and election sure").

The interesting factor about losing your salvation is that no one can say what sin or work one does to lose it.  We are supposed to be in the Father's hands, not our own!  It is clear from Scripture that believers have the resident Holy Spirit permanently and, therefore cannot be guilty of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit or the so-called unforgivable sin (cf. Matt. 12:32).  The Bible makes it clear that if you could lose your salvation, you could not regain it again, yet Catholics have instituted the sacrament of penance for those who have made shipwreck of their faith.  The Bible does not have any examples of anyone who lost his salvation either (Judas was a devil from the beginning, and King Saul isn't named as lost after losing salvation or grace, even in King David's eyes).

What is paramount to realize is that assurance and security go hand in hand, and they can be distinguished, but not separated.  If you don't have security, you cannot be sure either, because you are saying that your salvation depends upon your works or performance, and not the preservation of God.  The truth is that we persevere as God preserves.  One would never be sure because he cannot predict the future and know that he might lose it by some sin--it's perpetual incertitude or conjecture.

This doctrine, "once saved, always saved", is basic to understanding grace and that our salvation is not by our works nor our performance (cf. Titus 3:5), lest we are able to boast (cf. Eph. 2:9) and totally is an act of God (i.e., monergistic).  As Reformed theologians say, the doctrine of salvation can be summed up:  Salvation is of the Lord, as Jonah 2:9 says.    It is not of man and God, nor of man alone, but totally of God, and to realize this is to be oriented to grace and not works or to be legalistic in mindset.

There are several Bible verses that point to eternal security, and that phrase is not a biblical one, but the terminology "eternal redemption" is mentioned in Hebrews 9:12 and "eternal salvation" in Heb. 5:9.  Salvation, by definition, is eternal because it's the gift of eternal, not temporary or provisional life.  Eternal life begins at salvation and not in heaven, as some mistakenly believe.  We are not saved on a provisional basis but can be sure.  God wants us to be sure of our salvation according to 1 John 5:13 and makes this point that we can know.

How could you know, if your salvation is temporary and probationary?  Again, in losing salvation, what sin are they so sure will cast them into hell, when Christ died for all their sins?  We can lose "full reward" (cf. 2 John 8), and be saved by the skin of our teeth (or "as if by fire" in 1 Cor. 3:15), but nowhere are believers cast into hell in Scripture as precedent.

Some object that they have the right to leave God because of free will.  The Bible has something to say about apostates:  "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.  But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us"  (1 John 2:19, ESV).  Actually, your destiny is in God's hands, not your own, He's the Master of your fate and Captain of your soul, and He loves you with a love that won't let go.

You didn't come to Christ on the basis of your free will without divine wooing and you cannot persevere unless God preserves you. If your salvation depended on you, you'd find some way to blow it.   All your sins, past, present, and future are forgiven upon salvation, so why worry about some unforgivable sin? We cannot lose a faith God gave us as a gift, because it's not something we conjured up in the first place--we are "preserved in Jesus Christ" [or kept] according to Jude v. 1 (NKJV).

In the final analysis, do you want to be works-oriented and legalistic and fearful, or grace-oriented and sure?  We must acknowledge that assurance and security go hand in hand and can be distinguished but not separated.   Soli Deo Gloria!   

Universal Gospel Message

"Many are called, but few are chosen"  (cf. Matt. 22:14).

The wise men or magi did seek Jesus, and wise men still do; this was to show us that Jesus' gospel is for the world at large and not just specifically for the Jews.  Paul proclaimed a universal gospel for all, Jew and Greek, or Gentile, alike.  It was unheard of for Jews at that time to even believe Gentiles could be saved, but Jesus said in John 10:16 that He had sheep of another fold, and they must come to Him too.

One hard saying of Jesus and many refused to walk with Him upon hearing this (cf. John 6:66), was that a person could not come to Jesus unless the Father granted it (cf. John 6:44). Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (cf. John 15:5); that includes believing in Him.  The Holy Spirit must woo or we won't come; if we come to Christ alone, we leave alone too.  The disciples refused to leave Jesus because He had the words of eternal life.  Our job is still to present the gospel message to all who will listen and to proclaim it, defend it, and demonstrate it, but not to debate it.  Caveat:  We cannot argue people into the kingdom; infidels are seldom convinced by debate.

Now Peter realized the gospel was for everyone in essence when he said in Acts 2:39 (ESV):  "For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself [reference to the inward call]."  This makes reference in passing to the doctrine of election, whereby God elects some to believe and passes over (the doctrine of preterition) others, and lets them go their own way without Him into eternity to receive justice, not mercy.  God is unjust to no one; some receive mercy and grace, and others receive justice--if God were obligated to be merciful or gracious, it wouldn't be grace but justice. God need not save anyone!  Some receive mercy, some justice, but God is unjust to no one; mercy is a form of non-justice.   We must bear in mind the primacy of grace:  It is written in John 15:16 (NKJV) that Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you...."

Why do some people respond and others don't (Arminians cannot answer this without contradiction), but from the work of grace in their hearts to quicken them to faith, that makes them repent and believe by conviction and regeneration?  As Paul says in Romans 11:7 (ESV):  "... The elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened."  One must realize "Salvation is of the LORD,"(cf. Jonah 2:), and not of us and the Lord--it's solely the work of grace in our hearts.  Theologians call this salvation "monergistic" (one-sided), as opposed to synergistic, which means working in cooperation with God or contributing to it--it is the work of God alone. Who are those who believe but the elect?  Note Acts 13:48 (ESV):  "... as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."  We have indeed "believed through grace,"(as the gift of God) as Acts 18:27 stipulates.

The whole point of election is that we cannot prepare ourselves for salvation, no pre-salvation work, or do any work that is worthy to deserve it: Our destiny is ultimately in God's hands; we are not elected because we believe (called the prescient view), as Arminians suggest, but we are elected unto faith because of grace, for "grace reigns through faith," as Romans 5:21 suggests (J. B. Phillips says, "grace is the ruling factor."  This saying that God's call is efficacious and we cannot resist it. (note Romans 9:19 (J. B. Phillips):  "...' If this is so, and God's will is irresistible, why does God blame men for what they do?'" God, is, therefore, in the business of making the unwilling willing--or turns hearts of stone into hearts of flesh metaphorically speaking (cf. Ezek. 36:26; Jer. 24:7).

Note:  There are two kinds of calls:  the outward one of the gospel (cf. Titus 2:11); the inward call of the Holy Spirit, which is irresistible and effectual (cf. Acts 5:32).  Many are indeed called, but few are chosen, as Matt. 22:14 claims.  We are to "... be even more diligent to make our call and election sure..." (2 Pet. 1:10, NKJV.  And cannot do it apart from grace.

Now, even though the gospel message is for everyone, and no one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be lost or disappointed, God is the one who chooses whom will be saved and on whom He will have mercy as His divine prerogative (cf. Romans 9:15).  God even hardens whom He will (cf. Romans 9:18).   Our destiny is in God's hands, not ours. 

The final proof of the efficacy of God's call is in Romans 8:29-30 (ESV, italics mine) [called the Golden Chain of Redemption by theologians], which militates against prescience and guarantees eternal security:  "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son ... And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified..." This is interpreted to mean by exegesis that God loses none in the shuffle between predestination and justification.  All who are called are justified, not just some; this is a reference to God's call, not man's call, and there is no exception of believers being called who lose their salvation or justification in God's eyes.--no one is "un-justified" nor "un-born."  Note that there isn't one legitimate example of anyone in Scripture losing his salvation.    Soli Deo Gloria!

God's Wrath Versus Man's

"Will you be angry with us forever?"  (Psalm 85:5, NIV).
"Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure"  (Lam. 5:21-22, NIV).
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt [restrain]"  (Psalm 76:10, ESV).
"Has God forgotten to be gracious?  Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"  (Psalm 77:9, ESV).

"God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day" (Psalm 7:11, NIV). It's a good thing He "has not appointed us to wrath" (cf. 1 Thess. 5:9).   In the KJV it says "God is angry with the wicked every day."  Yes, God is not only a God of mercy but of justice and its consequence, wrath at the evil that must be judged, because God is holy.  The fortunate thing is that He is not angry at us, but that wrath was diverted at the cross.  We can also know that God's delights to show mercy and doesn't stay angry forever (cf. Micah 7:18). Also:  "For His anger is but for a moment..." (Psalm 30:5, NASB). And God tempers His wrath with mercy (cf. Heb. 3:2). 

We are warned in Romans 11:22 to "behold the goodness and severity of God" and realize that God means business!  When He chastises us, it isn't because He's angry at us, but about us, and we must suffer from our sins, not for them.  Man's anger doesn't achieve the righteousness of God and we are admonished to cease from anger and forsake wrath in Scripture.  The unbeliever suffers because "the wrath of God abides on him."  We are delivered from the wrath to come, according to 1 Thess. 1:10.  Proverbs advise: We are to avoid a man of quick temper, lest we learn his ways, and yet we are to fear God, for "His wrath is quickly kindled" (cf. Psalm 2:12).

One word of encouragement is that "the Lord is slow to anger" and "His patience means our salvation!"  Don't ask God to judge someone hastily, because He had so much patience with you.  God will someday mete out His justice and meet its demands, and we will no longer suffer indirectly from His wrath, which glorifies Him, even from the wrath of man (cf. Psalm 76:10)--"Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise and the survivors of your wrath are restrained"  (Psalm 76:10, NIV).  Soli Deo Gloria!

Let's Make Friends

"Therefore, 'Come out from them, and be separate, says the Lord, Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you'" (2 Cor. 6:17, NIV, italics mine). 
"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of wicked leads them astray"  (Prov. 12: 26, NIV, italics mine).  "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother"  (Proverbs 18:24, NIV, italics mine).
"A friend loves at all times,.." (Prov. 17:17, NIV).
"Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts"  (Prov. 19:6, NIV, italics mine).
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm"  (Prov. 13:20, ESV).

It is commonplace knowledge that we are known by the company we keep, and only a fool has no discretion in choosing friends.  Reading Proverbs gives one plenty of warnings to avoid the evildoer and not to befriend them.  "Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company"  (Prov. 24:1, NIV).  We must be careful, lest we become like our friends, for our "buddies" influence us more than anyone else.

However, we must be friendly, and there is a difference, but keep our distance, make borders, and draw the line where we don't have the confidence to go with the Lord.  "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared"  (Prov. 22:24-25, NIV, italics mine).  The rich have many friends and everyone wants to be their friend (and it's hard for them to know their true friends), but even the friends of the poor despise them according to Proverbs.

Jesus was indeed the friend of sinners (as His enemies saw it) in reaching out to them but he did draw the line, the Pharisees had no desire to get to know Him or had any love in their hearts.  However, Jesus made it plain to the disciples that they were His friends; only those who obey Him are His friends.  Jesus had the Spirit without measure and was perfect and unspoiled by sinners, He wasn't able to be corrupted by them, as we are if we are not careful.

Now, I know this from experience and have come across sinners who've had no restraint, and the military, for example, is certainly not the place to send an innocent young person unless they are prepared to battle Satan on his turf.  In theory, you could say that a sinner cannot harm you and God protects you from being touched by the evil one (cf. John 17:5) but we are to know our limits and not tempt or test the Lord either.

The conclusion of the matter is:  If God is with me and God sends me somewhere I know that God will see me through and protect me--but that's the key--God with me in it.  A word to the wise is sufficient:  "Do not be deceived:  'Bad company corrupts good morals'"  (1 Cor. 15:33, ESV).  Take my sound advice:  Don't hang around the wrong crowd!  Becoming a Christian entails making new friends.   Soli Deo Gloria!

He Has Not Given Me Over To Death

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him..." (Job 13:15, NKJV).

Not to be morbid, but the understanding of what is on the "other side" must begin early in life and one must be realistic even with children to teach biblical mindset and preparation.  Jesus Himself was the ultimate realist and He mentioned the grave and beyond, even hell more than heaven.   Being prepared for the hereafter is not a matter of making a will and paying or preparing for one's final expenses via life insurance.  Some people actually spend less time preparing for death than their annual vacation--this ought not to be so!  

We all need to be assured of our salvation and know that God won't take us till we are ready in His timing if we are in His will.  As Epictetus said, "I cannot escape death, but I can escape the fear of it."  We should be confident in our Lord (i.e., that we've made our peace with God) that we would say with Robert Louis Stevenson, that, even if we woke up in hell we'd still believe in Him.

David thanked the Lord that, though he had been chastened severely, he had not been given over to death (cf. Psalm 118:18).  There is a "sin which leads unto death," however, and John said not to pray for such a one (cf. 1 John 5:16).   Even Christians can go too far and be removed by divine discipline of the Lord, that is why they, too, must live in the fear of the Lord and behold both the goodness and severity of the Lord per Romans 11:22.

However, the death of believers is precious in the sight of God (cf. Psalm 116:15) and we ought to look forward to dying as a promotion, not an end, but a new beginning of a higher and different way of living to the full, the way we were meant to live.  Death is not a wall, but a door and D. L. Moody is quoted as saying, "This is my triumph, this is my coronation day!  It is glorious!"  Even Alfred, Lord Tennyson said, in his poem In Memoriam: "God's finger touched him, and he slept."  Death is a promotion and Paul said that "to live is Christ, but to die is gain" in Phil. 1:21.

We are only glad that God hasn't given us over to death as chastisement, but as our promotion to glory, for "we should live every day as if it were our last day" (Matthew Henry quote).  David went to be with the Lord in His timing:  "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep..." (Acts 13:36, NKJV).  In other words, when he had done what God had meant for him to do and God was done with him, God took him.  God knows when we are ready, we don't, that's why suicide isn't the answer.  God isn't in the business of taking lives prematurely:   (Ezek. 18:32 (NASB):  "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies...").  However, the day of death is better than the day of birth in God's eyes (cf. Eccl. 7:1).  David said that with the Lord, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15, ESV).  It is indeed better for the soul "to go to the house of mourning than the house of mirth" (cf. Eccl. 7:2), by the same token.

When you are confident of your coming promotion you are brave and live like David, when he told Jonathan:  "There is but a step between me and death (cf. 1 Sam. 20:3).  David lived his life on the edge and to the full!  We only want to live a long life if we are pleasing to the Lord and doing His will; otherwise, what's the use?   Is there a great reward in pursuing your own will?  We are happiest as believers only when we've learned to serve and not to live selfishly and for our own good, but for the good of others.  

David was glad God hadn't given him over to death because he then knew that he still had an opportunity to fulfill God's will; David was a man after God's own heart because he did all God's will. We should all hope and pray to go on to be with the Lord in His timing, for He makes all things beautiful in His time--i.e., we don't want to go before our time as Scripture would say.

In sum, let me quote an anecdote about Saint Francis of Assisi:  "If you had one hour left to live, what would you do?"  His answer, said while tilling his garden, was:  "I would finish this row!"  That's being prepared to die without unfinished business, unlike what God said to Hezekiah to "get his house in order" (cf. Isaiah 38:1), for he was about to die and not recover.   Soli Deo Gloria!