The Bible tells us, FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST (you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ). FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM-Eph 2:8-10.
Today, cults abound. Many preach a doctrine of salvation through works. This false doctrine has led many down the road to hell. Often, because of these cults preaching a doctrine of works, today’s churches shy away from teaching that all born-again Christians are called for the purpose of doing works for Jesus. All our good works will not save us, but a lack of good works will condemn us; because we are not doing the will of God-ref Mt 7:21.
As a result, we do not seem to hear much preaching that tells us, we have no faith, if works do not follow. We seldom hear preaching that tells us we are called for works prepared for us from the foundation of the world. The amount of obedience, the amount of works you do in love for Jesus are in proportion to your faith. Have you ever heard a church say that if you refuse to serve Jesus, you are doomed to hell? If you have never suffered persecutions of any kind for Jesus, that you are going to hell? In these last days, the lukewarm church often preaches what the itching ears of the congregation want to hear. Many go to cults, because they cannot find true Bible teaching in churches. Born-again people will suffer persecutions to test their faith, to see if it is genuine.
2-DO GOD'S WORD
It is written, BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES-Ja 1:22. If a person is a hearer of the Word, yet not obedient to it, that person is deceived. This is a command, "BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD." The Bible says to witness, so do it. The Bible says to confess Jesus and to be baptized, so do it. If you are not a doer of the Word, you are deceived. You may think you understand the Word, but your heart may be deceived. It is written, IF ANY BE A HEARER OF THE WORD, AND NOT A DOER, HE IS LIKE UNTO A MAN BEHOLDING HIS NATURAL FACE IN A GLASS: FOR HE BEHOLDETH HIMSELF, AND GOETH HIS WAY, AND STRAIGHTWAY FORGETTETH WHAT MANNER OF MAN HE WAS-Ja 1:23,24.
The person that is not a doer of the Word forgets what the Word says. He forgets what kind of person he is supposed to be. He forgets what kind of a person he was when he repented and received Jesus as his Savior. He becomes deceived. He beholds his natural face (that which he was before coming to Jesus). He was deceived before he came to Jesus and now he falls back into being deceived. When the Word gets into your heart and you "know" it is actually God talking to you, then you will have a personal relationship with God such as you may never have thought possible. James further tells us, WHOSO LOOKETH INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, AND CONTINUETH THEREIN, HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER, BUT A DOER OF THE WORK, THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIS DEED-Ja 1:25. Did you hear that? BUT WHOSO LOOKETH INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY (the Gospel), AND CONTINUETH THEREIN (continues in the teaching of Jesus), HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER (being not a person that forgets the Word, being not a person that falls back into the world, thereby putting the Gospel second; a forgetful hearer), BUT A DOER OF THE WORK (it said a doer of the work), THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIS DEED. Now what work is the Scripture talking about? It is written, 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. Did you hear that? FOR WE ARE HIS. We are whose? We are the workmanship of Christ Jesus. We are His property; His workmanship. We are created in Christ Jesus, we are born-again, why? It says, UNTO GOOD WORKS. To serve the Lord; to do the works that God hath prepared for us to do. The verse continues, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. For this very reason you were born. For this very reason you have been created in Christ Jesus. You have been called and created unto good works. It is your obligation to walk in them. God’s will for you is to study to show yourself approved; to serve Jesus; to be a witness for Jesus (to never be ashamed); to believe on Jesus Christ as your Savior; and to follow His teachings even to the point of death. You can disobey and be cast into the lake of fire, screaming, "No one ever told me these things." God says, MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE-ref Hos 4:6.
The Bible asks, WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT, MY BRETHREN, THOUGH A MAN SAY HE HATH FAITH, AND HAVE NOT WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? EVEN SO FAITH, IF IT HATH NOT WORKS, IS DEAD, BEING ALONE. YEA, A MAN MAY SAY, THOU HAST FAITH, AND I HAVE WORKS: SHOW ME THY FAITH WITHOUT THY WORKS, AND I WILL SHOW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS-Ja 2:14,17,18. God’s Word is telling us, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. You cannot be saved without faith. In like manner, if there are no works to go with your faith, there is no faith. Your works for Jesus reflect your faith. Little works, little faith. Great works, great faith. James is saying that your faith may be seen by what you do. YOU FOOLISH MAN, DO YOU WANT EVIDENCE THAT FAITH WITHOUT DEEDS (works) IS USELESS (or dead)?-Ja 2:20 (NIV). WAS NOT ABRAHAM OUR FATHER 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?-Ja 2:21,22. Did you hear that? It said faith with works. You see that his faith and his actions were working together. His faith was made complete by what he did. For it is written, ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS IMPUTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS…YE SEE THEN HOW THAT BY WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, AND NOT BY FAITH ONLY-Ja 2:23,24. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In like manner, WAS NOT RAHAB THE HARLOT JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, WHEN SHE HAD RECEIVED THE MESSENGERS, AND HAD SENT THEM OUT ANOTHER WAY? FOR AS THE BODY WITHOUT THE SPIRIT IS DEAD, SO FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD ALSO-Ja 2:25,26.
If you are not working for Jesus at all, then it shows that you have no faith. You are not saved, for you cannot be saved without faith. You may go to church and be religious; but if after being saved you refuse to serve God, you shall perish. Works are the evidence of faith. We should, BE READY TO EVERY GOOD WORK-Titus 3:1. Also, let us CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS- Heb 10:24 NIV. God combines love and good works together. Our good works should always be done because we love God. Is everything you are doing pleasing to your heavenly Father?
Has your faith been strong enough to motivate you to serve the Lord? As it is written, WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, MAKE FULL PROOF OF THY MINISTRY-2 Tim 4:5. Paul further tells us, WE PRAY ALWAYS FOR YOU, THAT OUR GOD WOULD COUNT YOU WORTHY OF THIS CALLING, AND FULFILL ALL THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS GOODNESS, AND THE WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER-2 Thes 1:11. Are you doing the work of an evangelist? Are you testifying to people that Jesus is the hope of your salvation? If you are not, you are denying Him by your actions (by your lack of works). You are ambassadors for Jesus. You have been given a trust. That trust is the Word. You will soon be judged by what you did with that trust. Will God count you worthy of His calling? Are you fulfilling the good pleasure of His goodness? Are your acts (or works) prompted by your faith (through love for God)? As we read, EVERY ACT PROMPTED BY YOUR FAITH-2 Thes 1:11 NIV. No works, no faith. Great faith, many works, and laying up many treasures in heaven.
The Scripture tells us, YOUR WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH, YOUR LABOR PROMPTED BY LOVE, AND YOUR ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST-1 Thes 1:3 NIV. Your work of faith or work produced by faith is the first part. This shows us that by your works we shall know your faith. By your deeds, we shall know if you are really saved. For Jesus said, BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM-Mt 7:20. Professing Christians that bear no fruit shall perish. The second part of the verse says labor of love or labor prompted by love. What is your motive in working for Jesus? Is it love? Do you profess to love God, yet do His work grudgingly?
It is written, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS-Jn 14:15. Jesus gives us the greatest commandment, saying, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND (or understanding), AND WITH ALL THY STRENGTH: THIS IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT-Mk 12:30. Do you say you love God, but willfully commit any sin? If you sow to please the flesh, you will reap eternal damnation. Our LOVE MUST BE SINCERE-Ro 12: 9 NIV. The last part of the verse said, AND YOUR ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Also, we are to know, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING-Ja 1:3,4. The patience and endurance of your work of love is inspired and prompted by the hope you have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you serving Jesus in love?
Paul and his companions wrote to the saints and faithful brethren, saying, WE DESIRE THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING; THAT YE MIGHT WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD UNTO ALL PLEASING, BEING FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK-Col 1: 9,10. Are you timid and ashamed to witness for Jesus? I tell you, if you love God with all your heart, you will obey what He wants you to do.
You may say, "How will I work for the Lord? I need this or that." Perhaps you need knowledge, or patience, or a typewriter, or people to help you. First, submit to God in obedience to the Gospel. Let love motivate you. Now God tells us, 2 Cor 9:8-AND GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND TOWARD YOU (the next part of the verse tells us why); NIV-SO THAT IN ALL THINGS AT ALL TIMES, HAVING ALL THAT YOU NEED (God is able to provide all your needs in all things at all times, so that) YOU WILL ABOUND IN EVERY GOOD WORK. Why? God wants you to abound in the works He gives you to do. God is able to provide whatever you need to help you succeed in the works He has prepared for you to do. (Of yourself you can do nothing.) NOW THE GOD OF PEACE…MAKE YOU PERFECT IN EVERY GOOD WORK TO DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN YOU THAT WHICH IS WELL-PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST-Heb 13:20,21.
7-NOT EVERYONE THAT SAITH LORD, LORD
Jesus warns us, NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD (they accepted Jesus as their Saviour), SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN-Mt 7:21. Only those that do God’s will shall enter heaven. Examine yourself. Are you doing God’s will? For the Scripture saith, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED-Ro 10:11. As we have seen, people were rejected from heaven that had confessed Jesus, because they did not do the will of God. They also did not depart from iniquity (sin). God has called us UNTO HOLINESS-1 Thes 4:7. Therefore EVERY ONE THAT HEARETH THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM NOT, SHALL BE LIKENED UNTO A FOOLISH MAN-Mt 7:26. Clearly, God has shown us that we must do "His" will. We read in Lk 9:23-IF ANY MAN (that includes you) WILL COME AFTER ME (do you want Jesus to know you at the judgment?), LET HIM DENY HIMSELF (deny the things of the world, and the flesh, and your desires), AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME. These words were spoken by Jesus Who will judge you. He is trying to tell you that there is no compromise. Receive Him as your Saviour, and then follow all His ways. Don’t you know that you BELONG TO CHRIST JUST AS MUCH AS HE?-2 Cor 10:7 NIV. You must follow Him daily. Not on Sundays only, but every day. Every day you must do the things that are pleasing to Him. Every day you must serve and live for Him. Every day you must deny yourself of the things you want to do and do the things Jesus wants you to do. LET HIM DENY HIMSELF DAILY.
Paul says, I URGE YOU, BROTHERS, TO SUBMIT TO SUCH AS THESE AND TO EVERYONE WHO JOINS IN THE WORK, AND LABORS AT IT-1 Cor 16:15,16 NIV. He is saying, submit or help those people who are doing the work of the Lord; people that labor at it.
Therefore, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD-1 Cor 15:58. Paul is saying, BE YE STEADFAST (firm), UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD (always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord). Note, it says, ALWAYS. Not just on Sundays. ALWAYS giving yourselves fully (totally, completely) to the work of the Lord.
The book of Proverbs says, TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM (do you acknowledge Him in all thy ways?), AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS. If you acknowledge Him in all thy ways, HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS. BE NOT WISE IN THINE OWN EYES: FEAR THE LORD AND DEPART FROM EVIL-Pv 3:5-7. Have you worked for Jesus, but slowed down or ceased? Depart from the friendship of the world, and return to Jesus.
Jesus tells us, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AS A MAN TRAVELING INTO A FAR COUNTRY, WHO CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS. AND UNTO ONE HE GAVE FIVE TALENTS, TO ANOTHER TWO, AND TO ANOTHER ONE; TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL ABILITY; AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK HIS JOURNEY. THEN HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE FIVE TALENTS WENT AND TRADED WITH THE SAME, AND MADE THEM OTHER FIVE TALENTS. AND LIKEWISE HE THAT HAD RECEIVED TWO, HE ALSO GAINED OTHER TWO. BUT HE THAT HAD RECEIVED ONE WENT AND DIGGED IN THE EARTH, AND HID HIS LORD’S MONEY. AFTER A LONG TIME THE LORD OF THOSE SERVANTS COMETH, AND RECKONETH WITH THEM-Mt 25:14-19. Jesus came and delivered to us His Word. He gives us whatever we need to enable us to spread His Word, to multiply it, to plant seeds, to harvest souls; to do the work He has prepared for us. Some of us have great potential, according to the ability He has given. Some may have developed what God gave them (by trusting in Him), into huge ministries that reach millions. The one that received the smallest amount should have developed what he was given into reaching as many as he could for Jesus. Now, the Lord comes back to them after a long time to settle accounts. What had His servants done with what He had given them? The judgment is at hand.
Jesus further tells us, HE THAT HAD RECEIVED FIVE TALENTS CAME AND BROUGHT OTHER FIVE TALENTS, SAYING, LORD, THOU DELIVEREDST UNTO ME FIVE TALENTS: BEHOLD, I HAVE GAINED BESIDE THEM FIVE TALENTS MORE. (This servant took what God entrusted him with and multiplied it. He worked for the Lord, and as a result, many were saved. He put the Lord first in his life.) HIS LORD SAID UNTO HIM, WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT: THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY THINGS: ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD. Jesus is saying, "Well done." This servant is being rewarded now many times over. He may become ruler over multitudes during the 1000 years that Jesus will reign on the earth. He will have eternal life and many rewards also. He will forever be in the presence of the Lord with great joy.
HE ALSO THAT HAD RECEIVED TWO TALENTS CAME AND SAID, LORD, THOU DELIVEREDST UNTO ME TWO TALENTS: BEHOLD, I HAVE GAINED TWO OTHER TALENTS BESIDE THEM. HIS LORD SAID UNTO HIM, WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT; THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY THINGS: ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD-Mt 25:20-23.
THEN HE WHICH HAD RECEIVED THE ONE TALENT CAME AND SAID, LORD, I KNEW THEE THAT THOU ART AN HARD MAN, REAPING WHERE THOU HAST NOT SOWN, AND GATHERING WHERE THOU HAST NOT STRAWED (scattered seed): AND I WAS AFRAID (are you afraid?), AND WENT AND HID THY TALENT IN THE EARTH: LO, THERE THOU HAST THAT IS THINE. This servant is saying, "I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground." This servant was given a trust (God’s Word). He went and hid what had been given to him. He did not share with others the Word. He did not do the will of God. He was what we call a "Christian," as he acknowledges that his Master is Jesus. Yet, he was a "secret Christian." He was not willing to spread the good news. He was afraid. How often are you afraid to witness to someone? How often do you know that you should tell a person about Jesus, but you are afraid, so you do not? Yes, this appears to be a Christian, but with no works. We recall the Scripture, FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD-Ja 2:20. Perhaps this Christian is very much like you? He believes he is saved. He goes to church. He may not be ashamed of Jesus in the church, but outside the church, he is afraid to witness. He makes all kinds of excuses to try and justify himself. Look at what Jesus says to his excuses. HIS LORD ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM (will this be Jesus speaking to you at the judgment?), THOU WICKED AND SLOTHFUL (lazy) SERVANT, THOU KNEWEST THAT I REAP WHERE I SOWED NOT, AND GATHER WHERE I HAVE NOT STRAWED (scattered seed): THOU OUGHTEST THEREFORE TO HAVE PUT MY MONEY TO THE EXCHANGERS, AND THEN AT MY COMING I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED MINE OWN WITH USURY (received it back with interest). Note, Jesus said that this servant is lazy and wicked. Is this you when it comes to witnessing for Jesus? Is this you? The Lord continues, TAKE THEREFORE THE TALENT FROM HIM, AND GIVE IT UNTO HIM WHICH HATH TEN TALENTS. FOR UNTO EVERY ONE THAT HATH SHALL BE GIVEN (for everyone that has will be given more), AND HE SHALL HAVE ABUNDANCE: BUT FROM HIM THAT HATH NOT (those Christians that would not work for Jesus) SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY EVEN THAT WHICH HE HATH. Some Christians think that even though they do not work for Jesus, they will still enter heaven, but with little or no rewards. Think again. Look at what Jesus says. AND CAST YE THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT INTO OUTER DARKNESS: THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH-Mt 25:24-30. Which servant are you? Are you one of those with 1 talent, who will not work for Jesus? Are you one of those that despite excuses is cast into the lake of fire?