|
Misconceptions
One is believing that since we are saved by
grace and not by works, (Eph.2:8-9) we shouldn’t
discipline ourselves to even read the Bible or pray,
for fear of getting into legalism or works to earn our
salvation.
Another is that God is in control.
If He wants me to get up and pray, then He will
cause me to do it.
Similarly, if God wants me to be healthy,
prosperous or anointed, He will do it, because He is
sovereign.
Finally, at the other end of the spectrum are
Christians who believe that keeping busy for God is
being a good Christian; like busyness is holiness. But
they don’t believe we are saved by this.
Faith
versus Works
At the heart of the first one is this issue.
There are Christians who believe that Paul and James
(two New Testament writers) disagreed on this, for
Paul said, “No man can be justified by works of the
law“ (Gal.2:16). And James said, “… a man is
justified by works and not faith only” (Jas.2:24). But
since God wrote it all (II Tim.3:16) it must agree.
We may need to study and ask God’s help.
Paul and James were writing to two different
audiences. Paul wrote to Jews who were steeped in the traditions that
had been added to the original laws God gave Moses,
and they had a hard time giving these up.
James wrote to non-Jews.
If you read James 2:14-26, he makes it very
plain that if you’ve been converted, we should see
changes! No
changes; no conversion! (Later on, we’ll see what
those changes should be.)
To finish up the second misconception, we need
to know that it’s up to US how we grow and what
we become. God has a wonderful plan for each one
of us, but it is up to us if we get there. Josh.1:8, Psa.1:2-3, Jas.1:25, John 15:4-7,
Matt.7:21, 24-27, II Tim.2:19-21, Deut.
30:19-20 and 28:1-15.
Keep Busy?
At least seven verses say that we will be
rewarded for the work that we do.
(Heaven is not a reward, but there are rewards
in heaven.) Psa.62:12,
Prov.24: 12, Jer.17:10,
Matt.16:27, Rom.2:6, II Cor.5:10, and
Rev.22:12.
However, three verses suggest that this is a
matter for Godly fear!
Heb.12:28, “… offer to God an acceptable
service with reverence and Godly fear.”
I Pet.1:17,
“… your Father … judges
according to each man’s work, conduct
yourselves in fear…”
And Phil.2:12, “… work out your own
salvation with fear…” (This needs to be
understood: Work
results from being saved; not to be saved,
just like James was saying.)
Two verses, Heb.6:1 and 9:14 speak of “dead
works” and give no explanation of what they are.
Ideas abound, but here is a sensible one:
In I Cor.3:10-15, we read about works that will
receive no reward, even though the person will be
saved. And
in Matt.7:21-23, we read about people doing mighty
works (signs and wonders) but Jesus was not pleased,
and claimed they weren’t doing God’s will! So how
do we know what works will be rewarded, and what ones
won’t!
Learn
to be led
Many verses say we are supposed to be like
Jesus here on earth.
Here are a few: I John 4:17, 2:6, Luke 6:40, II Cor. 3:18, and
Gal.4:19.
That leads to this:
Jesus only followed God in what He did! John
8:26,28, 12:49-50, and many more.
Rom.8:14,
“As many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are sons of God.”
John 10:4,
“…and the sheep follow Him for they know
His voice.”
To begin learning to be led, get the brochure
called, God wants to make your life beautiful.
(First qualifications for being led.)
My
Own Laws?
If I discipline myself to spend time in prayer
and in the Word every day, haven’t I made a law for
myself? The
answer is to look in your heart.
If you are doing it because you have to, and it
is drudgery, then something should change.
But if you realize that God loves you very
much, and He said if you spend time with Him, and get
to know Him, and soak in His love, then He can change
you to be more and more like Jesus, and more and more
blessed! When
you’re in love, do you constantly look at your watch
to see how long you’ve been there?
No! Because you love being there.
Psa.40:8,
“I delight to do Your will, Oh my God.”
That’s love speaking.
Do
You Love Me?
John 14:15,
“If you love me, keep my commandments.”
John 14:21
“He who has my commandments and keeps them
(obeys them), it is he who loves me.”
John 14:23-24
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…
He who does not love me does not keep my
words…”
II John 6
“This is love, that we walk according to His
commandments.”
I John 5:2-3
“By this we know that we love the children of
God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments…”
John 15:14
“You are my friends if you do whatever I
command you.”
God
WANTS to be good to you!
But notice the
conditions.
II Chron.16:9,
“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on
behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him.”
Heb.11:6, “… and that He is a rewarder of
those who diligently seek Him.”
Matt.6:33,
“Seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you.”
Psa.37:4,
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall
give you the desires of your heart.”
Psa..34:10,
“…but those who seek the Lord shall not
lack any good thing.”
Psa..1:2-3, “But his delight is in the law of God … and whatever he
does shall prosper.”
|
