|
 The
Scriptures
 YHWH
True Calendar
The Sabbath
Christmas
Easter
Hebrew Alphabet
How Should We Then Live?
Thy Word is Light
First
Things First
Give Me Thy Heart
Enter into
Life
CREATION
Watch
Therefore
The Law & the Believer
Living the Abundant Life
Purpose
of the Law
Thoughts for Young Men
Marriage Harmony
The Temple
Hidden Prophecy
Character Qualities
Workers of Iniquity
The Nicolaitans
Be In Health
The Antichrist
Abomination of Desolation
The Power Of Prayer
Financial Freedom
Resources
e Books
Music
Israel
Home School
Links
site design / host:
ACCESS
NETWORK
e SOLUTIONS
| |
Study to
show thy self approved - Bible Course
Works ... Are they Important?
1. Introduction
The Oxford dictionary defines the word 'work' as the 'use of bodily or
mental power in order to do or make something.' Work involves will-power,
knowledge, planning, action, results, products, fruit. But, sad to say, the
words 'work' and 'works' have become suspect in Christian circles
these days. Many followers of Jesus believe that 'works' are unimportant. To
them it's not work that matters but faith - and faith alone!
When I speak of the importance of 'works' to them a cry goes up.
'You're preaching salvation by works. You're doing away with the finished work
of Jesus Christ. You're preaching heresy. Didn't you know that believers are
saved by faith - not works?'
Sure I knew - 46 years ago, when I decided to yield my life to the Saviour;
when I personally accepted Yahweh's offer of salvation through His Son Jesus. Oh
yes, I knew that faith was vital. But my question remains: Are works
important? And is it heresy to preach the importance of doing good works?
Today we are going to find out. In this study I will quote many verses to show
you that a person's 'works' are important, more important than most
Christians remotely imagine.
2. Works of the Flesh
To begin with let me be clear as to what I mean when I use the word
'works.' I'm certainly not talking about a person's employment or job.
Neither do I mean:
- Works of Penance: Punishing one's body, incorrectly supposing that
this will please God and somehow win His favour.
- Endevouring to Purchase Forgiveness for one's own or another's sins
by constantly paying out sums of money to the church.
- Endlessly turning the Rosary: a string of some 55 or 165 beads,
each supposedly representing a prayer.
Oh no! when I use the word works, I most certainly do not mean these
practices, which, sad to say, have been adopted from paganism by the fallen
Church. Trying to earn or pay for salvation by these futile 'works' is
totally against all Bible teaching.
In this article I use the word 'works' as it is used in the
Scriptures. Here we find that Works fall into two categories:
- The Works of the flesh.
- The Works of the spirit.
No doubt each group may be sub-divided, but for the purpose of this study
I'll confine myself to these two headings: the 'works of the flesh'
and the 'works of the spirit.' The Bible defines the 'works
of the flesh' as follows:
| Galatians 5: |
19: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication uncleanness,
lasciviousness,
20: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
21: Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which
I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. |
3. Works (Fruit) of the Spirit
The 'works of the Spirit' are defined in the very next verse.
Notice that they are called here the 'fruit of the Spirit.' Remember our
opening definition about works being: labour, deeds, actions, outcomes,
products, fruit.
| Galatians 5: |
22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections
and lusts.
25: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
|
| Colossians 1: |
10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
|
4. Justification
The Bible teaches that a believer is justified by FAITH in Jesus Christ:
but it also says that one's faith must be alive - else it is useless. What is
living faith? The Scriptures teach that living faith is faith that is reflected
in good works, obedience! If obedience is absent in a believer's life,
(assuming that he/she has time to practice obedience) then all his/her
professions of faith are meaningless. In other words a believer is justified by
living faith which is reflected in good works, obedience to God!
Let me give you a few texts to substantiate this seemingly paradoxical
statement.
The Apostle Paul says
| Galatians 2: |
16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but
by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:
for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. |
The Apostle James says
| James 2: |
14: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith,
and have not works? can faith save him? |
The implied answer to this question is: No faith alone cannot save him.
| James 2: |
17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.
20: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac
his son upon the altar?
22: Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect?
23: And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of
God.
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.
25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had
received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26: For as
the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
|
Are Paul and James contradicting each other? The answer is: obviously not. The
Bible doesn't contradict itself. Paul is simply saying that justification is by
faith in Jesus Christ. And James is saying that to be effective, faith must
demonstrate itself in works. If good works are not present, then
the so-called 'faith' is in reality - 'dead faith.' And dead faith will
certainly not get anyone anywhere; least of all into the Kingdom of Heaven. In
other words, a believer is justified by 'living faith' in Jesus Christ.
5. Advice Concerning Works
There are literally scores of Bible verses exhorting believers to do good
works. In fact, Yahweh's objective when sending His Son to earth was that we
should be saved from sin to live righteous lives. Therefore to suggest that good
works are unimportant is a sign of colossal ignorance, of spiritual
blindness. It is an argument only used by the workers of iniquity: those who do
not want to obey Yahweh's commandments and whose lives are a contradiction of
the faith they profess. Let me quote some more texts concerning good works.
Take careful note.
| Titus 2: |
7: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in
doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.
|
| Acts 9: |
36: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works
and almsdeeds which she did.
|
| 1 Timothy 6: |
18: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready
to distribute, willing to communicate.
|
| 2 Timothy 3: |
14: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast
been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works.
|
| Hebrews 10: |
24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
good works:
|
| Titus 2: |
12: Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
|
| Titus 3: |
8: This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou
affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to
maintain good works.
|
| Titus 3: |
14: And let ours also learn to maintain good works for
necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. |
Bad Workers Beware!
| 2 Timothy 4: |
14: Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord
reward him according to his works:
|
| Matthew 7: |
21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is
in heaven.
22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?
23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity. |
6. The Saviour Knows the Works of Every Soul
Are works important? works are very important. Good or bad they
are being recorded on the spiritual data files above: media infinitely more
sophisticated than computer disks. Multiplied billions of facts are being
written to those heavenly files every millisecond. Let us never forget that
fact!
Hearken to the Saviour's warnings to the seven churches and all mankind in
the following verses.
Ephesus
|
| Revelation 2: |
2: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how
thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say
they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.
|
| Revelation 2: |
5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and
do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
|
Smyrna
|
| Revelation 2: |
9: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou
art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are
not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
|
Pergamos
|
| Revelation 2: |
13: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where
Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my
faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was
slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
|
Thyatira
|
| Revelation 2: |
19: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and
thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Jezebel
|
| Revelation 2: |
23: And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches
shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will
give unto every one of you according to your works.
|
Sardis
|
| Revelation 3: |
1: And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things
saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know
thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to
die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
|
Philadelphia
|
| Revelation 3: |
8: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept
my word, and hast not denied my name.
|
Laodicea
|
| Revelation 3: |
15: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot.
|
All Believers
|
| Revelation 14: |
13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
|
Babylon the Great
|
| Revelation 18: |
6: Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double
according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her
double. |
Are works important? Of course they are important. If works
weren't important, why did the Master mention them so often in his letters to
the seven churches? I can tell you, that your works (the fruit, outcome,
actions, your deeds) are the best - perhaps the only - indicators that you are a
true believer. If you don't have accompanying good works (obedience) you
don't have faith. We could even say that:
- Professions of faith: "Lord, Lord"
- Miracles, Wonders, Casting out Devils,
- Prophecies, Speaking in Tongues
- Long fasts, Endless prayers
- Church Attendance
- Songs of Praise
- Shouts of Hallelujah!
All these things, important as they are, count for nothing if obedience,
good works and fruit are missing. Remember the Master's sobering words:
| Matthew 7: |
22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works?
23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity. |
The prophet Samuel said the same thing to king Saul, who had violated Yahweh's
commandments:
| 1 Samuel 15: |
22: And Samuel said Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is
better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. |
7. The Great Day of Judgment
Now back to the question: Are works important? Sure they are. No
Christian is going to say that the 'fruit of the Spirit' is unimportant.
But few realise that the word 'works' is synonymous with 'fruit.'
Both words mean - the outcome, the end product. I have provided many texts to
prove that the Almighty closely considers people's works, their
behaviour, their actions, their fruit. He takes note of what we do. Every
motive, every thought, every word, every action is recorded in the divine
registers above. The Bible teaches that on the Day of Judgment, everyone will
be judged according to their works - their fruit.
| Matthew 12: |
36: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
|
| Jeremiah 25: |
14:... and I will recompense them according to their deeds,
and according to the works of their own hands.
|
| Matthew 16: |
27: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his
angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
|
| Revelation 2: |
23: And I (Yehshua the Messiah speaking) will kill her
children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which
searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you
according to your works.
|
| Revelation 20: |
12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works.
13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works. |
Summary
Let me summarise what you have just read: for we are here dealing with one of
the most important subjects in the entire Bible.
- Are works important? Millions of Christians answer: 'No, works
are not important. Perhaps they are confusing 'works' with
'penance,' 'rosary beads,' 'prayers for the dead' etc. The Bible doesn't
mean these things when it tells of works. It means faith which is
reflected in obedience to the Almighty's commandmends. Strange as it may
sound, in the opinion of these believers, anyone who teaches obedience
and the necessity of doing good deeds, (good works) is preaching
'salvation by works' - preaching heresy! This is a popular viewpoint.
But is it right?
- The answer is, no it isn't right: it's dangerously wrong. For we
find, when we study the Scriptures, that works are very important. Over
and over again the Bible tells us to shun disobedience, referred to by the
apostle Paul as the "works of the flesh" (adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like).
- Instead we are to do good works which also express themselves in the
fruit of the Holy Spirit: (love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance) The Master said in his
sermon on the mount: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:16)
- Believers are justified by faith: but to be of value their faith must
be alive. It must exhibit itself in obedience and good works. If
these are not present, then their worship is vain and futile. If they continue
in sin (disobedience) all their professions of faith ("Lord, Lord!")
and all their miracles and wonders will count for nothing. They will be kept
out of the Kingdom of Heaven on the Master's orders.
"Depart from me ye workers of iniquity."
- Scores of Bible texts advise us believers to do good works. Indeed
that is why Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) died for us: "Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14)
- The Saviour knows our works, better than we remotely imagine. He is
extremely interested in the performance of every member of his church. He
knows our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, pressures and persecutions. He
knows everything about us all; and he will judge us on the basis of that
knowledge. These are sobering thoughts; which we do well to keep in mind.
- The great Day of Judgment approaches: when every person on earth will
be judged according to his/her works.
| Matthew 16: |
27: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with
his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
|
| Revelation 20: |
12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works. |
Works ... are they important? You can be sure they are. Very
Important!
|
