RELIGION versus GRACE
Faith Works (c) Why Faith goes to work?
Faith Works (c) Why Faith goes to work?
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better… God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.
Col 3:10-12, CEV
Col 3:10-12, CEV
There are many scriptures that talk about works. Should we push ourselves to perform? Surely that is the predilection and addiction of legalistic religion! How about ignoring those ‘activity’ scriptures? How does faith work out?
Martin Luther postulated, “Faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever.”
John Murray supported this view, “Faith alone justifies but a justified person with faith alone would be a monstrosity which never exists in the kingdom of grace. Faith works itself out through love (Gal. 5:6). And Faith without works is dead (James 2:17-20).”
We discover that, by His grace, we have a new dynamic, an implanted desire to know Him more and more through Scripture and prayer, and to love all people. Just as love poured out from Jesus’ heart so it will pour out of our heart - because we have been given his heart! That is why Paul’s epistles invariably first mention a Christian’s IDENTITY before urging ACTIVITY? BE before BEHAVE (Col 3:10-12).
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BE before BEcoming and BEhaving
BE before BEcoming and BEhaving
