Archivedsaved BY good works, or UNTO good works?The Bible can be compared to school. When you entered the first grade you learned to read and as you matured in age and ability you learned to reason. Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven; He did not say it is impossible for a rich man to get into heaven (Matt 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25). James states (James 2:19) the "demons believe and shudder"; Jesus teaches that lust = adultery (Matt 5:28 ). What Jesus is teaching is that motivation or thoughts are as equal in severity as the act. God judges the heart. In the case of a lustful thought followed immediately by a fatal accident a believer is assured that God's promises are his protection. God is not a bean counter with come super computer putting black marks after your name. He is a God of love who by grace has justified and sanctified those who believe in and obey His Son; as Paul teaches in Romans 8:1 Not to side track the thread but the 2nd commandment states men shall not have any images before Him. This is a commandment not a suggestion. We can look at the design of the Tabernacle and the Temple and think well God had images made for His Temple so we can make images for our churches. Nope. "Do as I say not as I do" is good advise for any child who would live an obedient life. Works of faith are done through an obedient faith in Jesus Christ. Works that are motivated by a fear of loosing the irrevocable gifts of God are an attempt to earn what God freely gives and cannot be earned. Lets go back to the school analogy. Believe is first grade, obedience is a high school diploma. In John (John 14:15) Jesus states "if you love me you will keep my commandments". |
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame