RELIGION versus GRACE
Faith Works (d) What works?
Faith Works (d) What works?
The blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:14, HCSB
Hebrews 9:14, HCSB
When James says, “faith without works is dead,” what works did he have in mind? “Take care of orphans and widows in their suffering”, welcome “the poor man”, give needy ones “the necessities of life” and “turn a sinner back from the wrong way.” (James 1:27; 2:3-4;15-16; 5:19) Although preaching the gospel is a good work, James only makes reference to saved Christians demonstrating their faith by providing material and spiritual help.
The first century Christians became noted for their compassion and generosity, keeping the poor constantly in mind, and not just on special occasions (Acts 2:42-47; 6:1-6;11:27-30; Gal 2:10). They organised material help for listed widows locally (1 Tim 5:3-10). We cannot imagine the apostles working up a business portfolio, branching out into the property market to build impressive places of worship and to sell them for a profit. Would they be constantly asking for money, perhaps by some form of congregation tithing, to finance luxurious projects built by volunteer labour? (James 5:1-6) Like Jesus, their heart was with the lowly ones in practical ways.
The works resulting from those saved by Christ’s finished work on the cross are different to any “dead works” performed by religious people in an effort to win God’s approval and be saved (Heb 6:1; 9:14). Such self-righteous works may appear moral and kind but are lifeless. The skilful work of a mortician cosmetologist may beautify a dead body but it remains a lifeless corpse. All the works done by those merely professing Christianity will prove to be “dead works”, devoid of God’s Spirit as their source (Matt 7:21-23).
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Adding to Christ’s finished work is like adding a moustache to Mona Lisa!
Adding to Christ’s finished work is like adding a moustache to Mona Lisa!