Showing posts with label works. Show all posts
Showing posts with label works. Show all posts

Friday, September 24, 2021

What’s love got to do with it?

What does love have to do with our faith? Actually, it has a lot to do with how we live out our faith.

 

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Galatia, wrote that he was “amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Gal 1:6). The true gospel is the good news of the salvation in Christ by grace through faith. When we believe that good news we are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22). That word believe is more than head knowledge, more than just knowing about it. In the original Greek the word believe is pistis, which means “confidence or trust.” So saving faith is based on the confidence or trust that we are saved by grace through faith. But Paul speaks of a “different gospel” that the Galatians were turning to. What was he talking about?


 Works or faith?

Before Paul made his point about the different gospel, he reminded the Galatians of his own testimony and how God, through His Holy Spirit, worked in his own life. Then in chapter 3:2 he gets back to his point about the different gospel. “I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:2-3)

The Galatians had been saved by grace through faith but had slipped back into their old ways. They acted as if following the Jewish law made them right with God. The gospel is clear. Religious self-effort cannot make us right with God and results in sin. In Galatians 5:13-14, Paul reminds the people, “…you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

 

What’s love got to do with it?

Instead, of loving one another, the Galatians were in danger of devouring one another. Their lack of love was obvious as they tried to serve God in their own strength.


What is your example to the outside world?

Christians are to be the light and salt in this world. Paul reminded the Galatians that they must not become conceited, provoking one another, or envying one another. That’s the way of the world, and we are to be different than the world. We are to walk in the Spirit and show love for one another. “Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” Galatians 5:16).

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

According to a recent nationwide Barna poll, all 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. “In total, three-quarters (78%) said he is the “all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe who rules the world today.” Most did not think Satan was an actual living entity and “much like their perceptions of Satan, most Christians [in this poll] do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force, either. Overall, 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.” Just one-third of Christians disagreed that the Holy Spirit is not a living force (9% disagreed somewhat, 25% disagreed strongly) while 9% were not sure.”

If this poll is an accurate measure of the state of things, there are many who say they are part of the church who are not, and some who are carnal Christians like the Galatians who look like the world because they are striving in the flesh. They are off course from where God wants them to be.

Photo credits: Michelle Cox, pixabay

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About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions.

When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Repentance toward God

 

[…]I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Acts 20:20-21.

 


The word repentance is a commonly used word in Christianity, but it isn’t so common in today’s vernacular. What does it really mean? Better yet, when it comes to Scripture, what does it have to do with you? 

 

What does repentance mean?

Noah Webster’s 1828 definition of repentance is: “Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.” As a result of that renewed mind, we are to “produce fruit consistent with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). It is more than being sorry for our sins. Rather it is a godly sorrow that God works within us. This godly sorrow; this recognition of our fallen condition leads to belief that Jesus paid the price to cure that condition. When we believe, not just intellectually but in faith, we are saved.

Works of repentance

We can do nothing to “get” or “earn” salvation. In Acts 26:20, Paul says that he “preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.” If it isn’t about works, and we can’t do enough good things to earn our salvation, then what are works of repentance? Thinking that good works make us "good" is backward thinking. It is carnal thinking. The works of repentance mentioned in Scripture work from the inside out. They come about as a result of turning to God and the renewing of the mind through the washing of the Word. What we do reflects our change in thinking and motives. 

 

Repentance toward God and the indwelling Holy Spirit

When we turn away from our ways and turn toward God (repentance), it shows we agree with him about our spiritual condition. We believe He has made the sacrifice for our sin and accept His finished work on the cross. It is by His grace we receive that faith and are saved, though we are not forced to accept it. God leaves that choice for us. 

For those of us who accept what He has done, we become “believers” and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This seals us as children of God and joint-heirs with Christ. As such, one of the works worthy of repentance that we have the privilege of taking part in is to help others see God’s way so they too can turn from their way to His and receive eternal life.

Photo credits: Scripture As Art, pixabay,
Patrick Slaven, pixabay

* * * *



About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions.

When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.