John 14.6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
All Bible students recognize this verse, the words straight from the mouth of our Lord and Savior. And as Bible students we hold these words close in our hearts and endeavor to keep our eyes on those words. What is becoming so common now days is all the hoopla about “what” we as Christians should be doing. And so many think because that they are so “religious” or “pious” that surely God would accept them.
I don’t know how many times I have stated such in past articles and yet there will always be those that wish to expound their knowledge of Scripture. I have NO problem with that part, I LOVE the Scriptures and I do everything I know to follow them every day. There is however, a part in the Bible that way too many have stated to me in emails to the point that I sometimes find myself getting annoyed by it all:
Ephesians 2.8-9: “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.”
I know these words and I believe them without question, but then we must also remember this as well: Ephesians 2.8-9 is for the person that has already come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The “what” is about what we should be doing for Him as we await HIS return.
Matthew 28.18-20: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
If there is one thing that most folks forget to read and recite, it’s the verse above. Notice that HE did NOT say anything about the ball game, or anything else of the like. Jesus Christ said we should go ye therefore and teach, and baptize and to observe all things. HE commanded us to so. If my English still serves me well, that is a statement that says we must be DOING something! NOT for salvation for we are already saved to Jesus Christ, but afterward we are saved out of obedience to Him.
James 2:20:“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
Too many people are willing to sit back and do nothing. Jesus Christ did HIS part by dying on that Roman cross for us, to cover our SIN. There is NOWHERE in the Scriptures where Jesus Christ stated HE was just too tired, too worn out, needed a nap, or whatever. In my previous articles, I thought this is what everyone would understand and take to heart. I was mistaken.
The “Great Commission” requires us to be actively working for the Lord (the least of our obligation to HIM). I was very surprised when so many wrote me and became so angry! Then I got to thinking most people would rather take it easy, it’s human nature. Some however became very beligerant and a few cursed me! And I was thinking, are these people supposed to be Christians, because they sure were not acting like it. So that is the reason for writing this particular article, I guess I must learn to write in a more simplistic manner from now on.
This is an area that tends to haunt me, in a way: It is important that everyone who knows Jesus Christ is to read HIS Holy Word the Bible everyday. The reason is then obvious, it is according to what Jesus Christ said about these times we are living in.
Luke 21.8-9, emphasis added: “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.”
If there is one thing I can relay about the Bible, is that God will NEVER decieve you in any way! Every single word in the Bible is absolute TRUTH! I have been told that my manner of writing is like the “Apologetics,” which is a fancy way of saying that I “defend the faith.” If that is true, I do not have a problem with that. I will always defend the truth to my dying day. I believe in my heart that this is what the Word of God is all about — the TRUTH and nothing but the TRUTH. Everything I write comes from the Word of God and that I will never change.
John 13.34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
2 Timothy 3.16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
So as you can see there are things we should be “DOING,” as we await the return of our Lord and Savior. I have NEVER said that the works of man are the way to heaven! We already know, it is by grace, in faith and hope (better things to come) in Jesus Christ alone!
James 2.14-17, emphasis added: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
Jesus Christ said it, I believe it, that finishes it!