posted
A father once had two sons. He arose one morning and asked both of his sons to go and work in the fields. The first son said, "Yes, father, I will go," but he did not go. The second son said, "I will not go," but later he repented and did go. Now I ask, which one did the will of his father? The one who said, "Yes, I will?" or the one who actually went and did?
This parable reminds me of two types of Christians. The first Christian talks about how much he loves his Father. He is very loud to proclaim his loyalty to his Father. But he never does the Father's will. The second kind of Christian is contrite and poor of spirit and never boasts of his goodness but just quietly does those things his Father has asked him to do. Which one do you suppose does the will of the Father?
Now I ask, which son are you? Are works important or not? If you say you have faith then I ask you to prove to me you have faith and do it without any works. But don't you know that faith without works is dead, being alone? How then are you to demonstrate your faith without works? There is nothing to show, no proof. Abraham sure had works to accompany his faith. And so did Jesus. Jesus did great works. But you know what, his disciples will do even greater works.
If this word "works" bothers you then look at the verse following the famous "by grace ye are saved through faith" verse found in Ephesians. Notice what Paul says we are saved to do... works!
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph 2:10
It is true that we are not saved BY our works. But we are saved to DO good works. God has ordained this before that we should do these good works. Don't get hung up on the words. Just let your heart contemplate the cross of Christ and what it cost Jesus to come to this world. Let the love of God stir your heart to yield a reciprocal love and gratitude. Don't go out and try to find it. It can't be found. It is in your heart and on your tongue and you can have it as a gift from God by faith. Only act on the faith that God has given you.
May God bless,
Jeff Logan
Rhonda
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What does it mean in James when it says, "What doth it profit, my brethren, thouth a man say he hath faith and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto him, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things that are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" And also n James "Was not Abraham justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" And also in the same chapter of James: "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justfied by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" Now I was raised a Baptist and led to believe all my 1st fifteen years of being in religion that I was saved forever once I had called on the Lord- that first time-no matter if I became the vilest sinner after my "calling" I was stilled saved and there was nothing I could do to change that (so they said). But thank the Lord God of Abraham and Rahab who led me away from those lies from the devil into a true faith that "works by love". My question is this: Could have Abraham and Rahab been saved without their works? Would not Rahab perished if she had not received the messengers into her house? And what if Abraham had refused to offer up Isaac? Would he then had been "faithful"? I'm not asking if we could be saved by our own works, but what if we don't let Jesus work through us to bring about those good works which are "by Jesus Christ" I'm asking these things because many people say that we are saved to do works, that works have nothing to do with our salvation -We are saved to "do works". But I find so many examples in scripture of works justifying a person too. Sorry, my e-mail is not working now, but if you want to reply to this-please do it here on this Forum. Thanks, Yours in Christ, Rhonda
You make some good points. It is a wonderful thing that we each must contribute to make the whole. I am glad for your comments to round-out what I was trying to say as well. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I just didn't see your reply until this very late date. I hope that everything is well with you.
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