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Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Growth What must we do to do the works God requires of us?
- Thread starter Papa Zoom
- Start date
Jim Parker
Member
Oh no.
Not another works thread!!!!
There's a stair like this right here in Italy .
The Scale Santa. The sacred stairs. In Rome.
Ive seen person's climb it.
They stop on each step to pray.
This is what I call WORK.
I call what we born again believers do "following Christ's teachings".
Is there a difference?
I think so...
Well PZ
If You don't entertain yourself,,,who will???
Hi Eugene
I went to a Nazarene church for over ten years after I got saved.
I'll answer all your questions like this...:
Because JESUS said to.
John 15:14
Why would I not adhere to what Jesus said?
Edward
2024 Supporter
This is an interesting thread. Belief, works, walk, pray...this is true but to what end? To be saved? That's not the reward. It's easy to get sidetracked and think on salvation as the cookie...but it's not. We will be saved, but that's not the point. So what is the point?
Good question, I'm glad you asked. We were created in Gods own image and likeness. Then we fell and lost it, died. What was the first thing that God did after man fell? Made them coats of skins. (Coats of skins speaks of a Hebrew wedding gown, which is four layers.) God made a move which would start them on the path to coming back into the image of which we were created. God wants us back in His image, He wants us to have that close fellowship with Him. To do this, a transformation must take place. Even though we will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye when He comes back...that will be the completion to the transformation. It is our place, now, to begin transforming. Change is always effected from the inside out. So at that time of transformation we (are supposed to be) already changed inside somewhat.
Once having been baptized, the old man is dead and we are risen in the righteousness of the Lord. We begin walking with Him...in Christ...and Christ in us, literally. Now what do we do? (Whatever the Spirit leads you too), In between waiting for the Spirit to give us words of knowledge or instruction, we walk in love towards our brethern. Doing them good works, helping them. If he asks for you to go with him a mile, go two with him, if he needs to borrow, give it to him. In this way, we allow the love of God to flow out of us (like a river) and onto others as a blessing. Walking in the Spirit is no good if we keep him to ourselves. We give Him away! Anytime the Lord blesses you...give it away to another. Pay it forward, God Style! It's in these works that we are able to take on the mind of Christ. It's in these works that we grow.
When you're saved and Christ comes into you, go and share it and bless your Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Spread the glory of the Lord upon all the earth. That the glory of the Lord be seen upon all the earth. On earth, as it is in Heaven. We are rewarded and blessed at victorys. From glory to glory, victory to victory. After Jesus was baptized, He was led into the desert like the Hebrews for a period of trials and testing. He passed these tests, then it says that Angels came and ministered unto Him...(He was spiritually promoted so to speak).
The Hebrews failed time and time again in the desert. Only two made it through into the promised land. This is how difficult it is. How many of us will make it to the promised land?
After a success in a trial, we grow, and are given a little more to steward. We are changed inside, our heart is sanctified and transformed a little...and that's how it works in a nutshell. It's not that we will be transformed, but we are being transformed. Back into the image of God, which is our created purpose in life.
Good question, I'm glad you asked. We were created in Gods own image and likeness. Then we fell and lost it, died. What was the first thing that God did after man fell? Made them coats of skins. (Coats of skins speaks of a Hebrew wedding gown, which is four layers.) God made a move which would start them on the path to coming back into the image of which we were created. God wants us back in His image, He wants us to have that close fellowship with Him. To do this, a transformation must take place. Even though we will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye when He comes back...that will be the completion to the transformation. It is our place, now, to begin transforming. Change is always effected from the inside out. So at that time of transformation we (are supposed to be) already changed inside somewhat.
Once having been baptized, the old man is dead and we are risen in the righteousness of the Lord. We begin walking with Him...in Christ...and Christ in us, literally. Now what do we do? (Whatever the Spirit leads you too), In between waiting for the Spirit to give us words of knowledge or instruction, we walk in love towards our brethern. Doing them good works, helping them. If he asks for you to go with him a mile, go two with him, if he needs to borrow, give it to him. In this way, we allow the love of God to flow out of us (like a river) and onto others as a blessing. Walking in the Spirit is no good if we keep him to ourselves. We give Him away! Anytime the Lord blesses you...give it away to another. Pay it forward, God Style! It's in these works that we are able to take on the mind of Christ. It's in these works that we grow.
When you're saved and Christ comes into you, go and share it and bless your Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Spread the glory of the Lord upon all the earth. That the glory of the Lord be seen upon all the earth. On earth, as it is in Heaven. We are rewarded and blessed at victorys. From glory to glory, victory to victory. After Jesus was baptized, He was led into the desert like the Hebrews for a period of trials and testing. He passed these tests, then it says that Angels came and ministered unto Him...(He was spiritually promoted so to speak).
The Hebrews failed time and time again in the desert. Only two made it through into the promised land. This is how difficult it is. How many of us will make it to the promised land?
After a success in a trial, we grow, and are given a little more to steward. We are changed inside, our heart is sanctified and transformed a little...and that's how it works in a nutshell. It's not that we will be transformed, but we are being transformed. Back into the image of God, which is our created purpose in life.
Yes, believe means trust, commit, obey.
Obey the Lord Jesus.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51
Two servant's of the Lord and examined here.
One was obedient, while the other was not.
Let the likes pour in.
JLB
dirtfarmer
Member
hello JLB, dirtfarmer here
What is it that you are alluding to that the demons believe?
Mark 1:24, " Saying, Let us alone; What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."
In James 2:19 it is stated: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble." We see from these scriptures that that the demons believe in one God, but they know Jesus.
James is teaching that obedience is what activates faith, and makes it alive, as opposed to mere believing, as even the demons do.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? James 2:18-21
- Was not Abraham our father justified by works [work of obedience] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Abraham obeyed, and that is what justified him. That's the point.
Demons believe in God, but obey Satan. That's the point.
Those who believe in Jesus Christ, but do not obey Him, are no better off that the demons who believe in Him.
Just like the example Jesus used to teach us this truth.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51
Two servant's of the Lord and examined here.
One was obedient, while the other was not.
- The one that was obedient was rewarded.
- The one that was not was sent to hell, along with the hypocrites.
JLB
Jim Parker
Member
That is true and it can be misleading.
We are not saved by works, but "dead faith", that is; faith without works, does not save. (James 2)
Jim Parker
Member
If you so desire.
Jim Parker
Member
It is a form of a devotion. It is an opportunity to pray while contemplating the suffering of Christ for our sake.
dirtfarmer
Member
hello JLB, dirtfarmer here
What did Jesus say in John 6:29: " Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Where is feeding the poor, healing the sick, and raising the dead mentioned in this verse?
What did Jesus say in John 6:29: " Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Where is feeding the poor, healing the sick, and raising the dead mentioned in this verse?
Yes exactly.
Believe on means obey.
That is our work.
That is what Abraham did in the example I have from James.
That is why it's called the obedience of faith.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:26
That is our work, to obey our Lord.
JLB
Jim Parker
Member
dirtfarmer
Member
Yes, even if it something as simple as "confessing Jesus as Lord".
Which is how we are saved.
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13
- confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
It doesn't say just to believe, but rather confess [the act of obeying the Gospel] and believe in our heart.
- with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Not believing but confession, the act of obedience, is made unto salvation.
This is how salvation is initiated, or activated within us.
Faith without the act of obedience is dead, and can not save.
From this point Jesus is our Lord, and we are to obey Him.
Knowing Him is eternal life.
If we say we know Him, and do not obey Him, we are lying to ourselves.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3-4
JLB
I don't exactly understand your point.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:26 KJV
The obedience of faith, concerning the Gospel message and salvation is to repent, which means to turn to God.
If a person is called to turn to God, then that means they are called to turn from Satan as their Lord.
The action of obedience to the Gospel is to confess Jesus as Lord.
This is how we are forgiven our sins, and have an inheritance in God's kingdom.
Word's of Christ in red:
- in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:15-18
Confessing Jesus as Lord is obeying the Gospel.
Obeying the Gospel is how we are saved by faith.
- with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10
JLB
This is exactly right! The word of God is to get us to believe on Him (Jesus Christ) whom He hath sent. Of course we hardly every use "hath" today, but it means "has" sent. Then the only problem could be what 'has sent" means? Does is mean He was sent about 2,000 years ago, so that we can't hear from Him today? Or does it mean that He has been sent so we are believing in someone that is with us now?
If it means someone that lived 2000 years ago then I have to depend upon the book about Him. But if He is around today, then perhaps I can talk to Him?
I like this post too, but when reading it, does it answer the question of whether we are depending upon the book we call the Word of God, or does in mean we can hear from Him and get personal instructions from Him today? I can't tell what is being said. The comment on 'those words died of generations ago' I first thought meant we can still hear from Him today, but then the comment 'the things he said we ought to to do", seemed to mean we have to go by what He said, and not what He says.
Rm 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN"
Rm 10:8 But what does it say? THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart" - that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.
Is it? Is that the word of faith which we are preaching. It's a bit unclear. It really seems the Word we are preaching is that Christ died, rose from the dead, and know is in a far off place called heaven, so we now have to live by the words of the Book. But if the words of the Book say that we are not preaching that, then we are not doing the work of God at all!