DOES GOD WANT CHRISTIANS TO FEAR HIM?

[maplegoat]

We know that God wants us to love Him, but does He also want us to fear Him? The answer, if we examine the Scriptures, is clearly, YES. The fear of the Lord is not a relic of the Old Covenant; Christians are instructed and reminded to fear God in the New Testament also.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling... (Philippians 2:12 ESV)

But why? If God is love, and if we are saved, why would God want us to fear Him?

The answer is, because the fear of God protects us from sin and its consequences, which is what our loving God wants.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (Acts 9:31 ESV)

Contrary to popular belief and teaching, it is not merely gratitude and feelings of love for God that keeps Christians from sinning and leads them to obey Him---at least it shouldn't be, according to the Bible---but also rightful fear. The fear comes from knowing that if we choose to despise Him, God has the power to chasten (discipline) us, and even to take away our eternal life, if we stubbornly persist in willful sin after coming to be in Christ, by refusing to do what we know He wants us to do and what He commands us. (See Hebrews 10:26-31)

For Christians, the fear of God should be a holy fear---not a guilty terror, as the unsaved have. We know that God loves us, and that we are saved because of His love and His mercy---forgiven of our sins and assured of eternity with Him when we die, through our faith in Jesus Christ---for which reason we have joy, confidence, and peace. But we should also bear in mind that this promise is not unconditionally guaranteed to us, and that if we choose to despise the Lord and refuse to repent, He is able to take away what He gave us. (See John 15:5,6,9-11; Romans 11:19-22)

That knowledge is wisdom, and it helps to keep us from doing evil things that we would otherwise consider or take lightly---even preserving our physical lives at the cost of disobeying the Lord.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27 ESV)

(Of course, if you have been following my threads, you can see the relevance of this exhortation and reminder: If you don't fear God so as to obey Him in the easy times, much less will you be faithful to Him in the worst of times, when your physical life is on the line. Don't fool yourself!)

This is what Jesus said, speaking to His own disciples:

"I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:4,5 ESV)

The fear of the Lord produces good things: It leads us to turn away from evil, helps us to deny the strongest temptations of sin, and produces a rightful reverence for God in us that we won't have without it.

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name?" (Malachi 1:6 ESV)

(Where indeed, O people of God?)

The faith of those Old Testament saints that we so admire was coupled with the fear of the Lord, and it was their strength to withstand temptation and their motivation to obey God, for which He blessed and rewarded them.

The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New are the very same God. He has not changed His attributes or His attitudes. If we believe that He has, we deceive ourselves. God still wants His people to fear Him, just as He wants us to love Him. The love of God is to keep His commandments, and the fear of Him helps us to obey Him, which we would be more lax about if we did not---potentially to our own spiritual peril.

Yes, God is love, and part of that love is to protect His sheep. This is why He wants and commands us to fear Him; because He knows that mere gratitude to Him and the desire to do what pleases Him because we love Him is not enough to turn us away from strong temptation. We need to fear Him also, just as we would fear a parent who we know loves us, but also has the ability to punish us for doing what we know we know we ought not to.

God says that He is love because that is the attribute by which He desires to be known by man, not because He doesn't have other attributes in equal measure: It is not a matter of what He is, but of what He chooses to show.

God has the potential for as much wrath as He has for love (the evidence being that the unsaved will suffer His wrath for all eternity just as the saved will enjoy His peace and joy for all eternity); but He desires to show more mercy and love to man than He does justified wrath.

Like a jewel with equal facets, the one that faces the light is the one that shines; but that doesn't mean that the jewel has only one facet. The man-ward facet of God is love; but it's quite obvious from the Scriptures that that is not His only attribute, and that God's mercy and patience toward man are not infinite. There will be an end to His patience with impenitent men, and there will also be wrath for those who choose not to continue in His kindness after receiving His mercy.

David was a man who loved God with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength, a man who delighted in the Lord, and who was a man after God's own heart---not because he was perfect, but because he was sincere. And David, who knew God very well, feared God, and wrote much about the fear of the Lord and its benefits.

The Christian who loves God, as David loved God---who is keeping His commandments to the best of his or her ability and who is doing what he or she knows to be His will and pleasing to Him to the best of his or her ability, and desires to do the same, will not have guilty fear, for perfect love casts out the fear of rightful punishment for willful sin. A Christian with a good conscience toward God for the aforementioned reasons will not have this kind of fear; but we should all walk in the fear of our awesome God, who has the power both to chasten us and to condemn us. As long as we have our sinful nature, the fear of God is both essential and relevant.

"I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"
(Luke 12:4,5 ESV)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it know to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 ESV)

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
(Revelation 14:9-12 ESV)

Can love and fear co-exist? Love and trust is what we're born with. Fear is what we learn.

 

[JLB]

Is salvation given because we obey or because we believed.

Because we obey the Gospel.

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

hello Rajesh Sahu, dirtfarmer here

Is salvation given because we obey or because we believed. We are told in scripture that from Adam to Moses there was no law but that death reigned even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression. What was Adam's sin? was it not, not obeying God's command? So, if disobedience was not imputed to those, then what caused death to reign over them? We can't say that salvation comes by obedience but we can say that because of salvation, obedience comes.

Romans 14:23 makes this statement : "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." I will agree that obedience follows faith, but scripture never stated that salvation follows obedience. I know that some are going to quote James: "faith without words is dead", but it is important to understand what is mean "you see" before that statement.
God looks on the heart not on works to see salvation. It is man that must look on works in order to see the heart, even then man is sometimes deceived.

Brother dirtfarmer blessings to all and love to all. I'm not here to win an argument but lose and if I can gain your love it's my victory. I mentioned MY opinion because that's MY interpretation of the scripture . According to my interpretation of Bible it's ABSOLUTELY clear "No obedience no salvation "( which many believers covet, for and hence come to Christ) . I have no such goals brother. Salvation is NOT my goal to follow Jesus. It's a BYPRODUCT, if at all. If not perfectly fine . My goal is to LEARN to do the will of God vs mine.
I want to learn and follow the Lord. Salvation is ZERO on my agenda. If I've learned anything from Bible it's Christ always did God's will over his . That's the challenge. " Can the cup not pass, yet not as I will but as YOU will".
Brother dirt farmer as I share my thoughts, it upsets many others . I genuinely believe easy believism doctrine is HERESY being taught in many churches. I'm sure devil loves the fact that it teaches that obedience ain't needed for salvation . The core of Christ's teaching isn't just faith but obedience as well. paradox here is CRAVING SALVATION itself is not Christian . Didn't Jesus say " whoever loves his life will LOSE it ....

John 12:25 ►

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Again I say I've stopped believing what pastors teach but what is evident and obvious from the Lord's teachings . If you wish to smother my interpretation with yours you win . We all are still going to be JUDGED by the Lord on His day despite all our beliefs . Everything will be scrutinized . ( Revelation )
John 15: 2
" He (God) CUTS OFF every branch in me that bears NO FRUIT , while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.​

 

[JLB]

Brother dirtfarmer blessings to all and love to all. I'm not here to win an argument but lose and if I can gain your love it's my victory. I mentioned MY opinion because that's MY interpretation of the scripture . According to my interpretation of Bible it's ABSOLUTELY clear "No obedience no salvation "( which many believers covet, for and hence come to Christ) . I have no such goals brother. Salvation is NOT my goal to follow Jesus. It's a BYPRODUCT, if at all. If not perfectly fine . My goal is to LEARN to do the will of God vs mine.
I want to learn and follow the Lord. Salvation is ZERO on my agenda. If I've learned anything from Bible it's Christ always did God's will over his . That's the challenge. " Can the cup not pass, yet not as I will but as YOU will".
Brother dirt farmer as I share my thoughts, it upsets many others . I genuinely believe easy believism doctrine is HERESY being taught in many churches. I'm sure devil loves the fact that it teaches that obedience ain't needed for salvation . The core of Christ's teaching isn't just faith but obedience as well. paradox here is CRAVING SALVATION itself is not Christian . Didn't Jesus say " whoever loves his life will LOSE it ....

John 12:25 ►

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Again I say I've stopped believing what pastors teach but what is evident and obvious from the Lord's teachings . If you wish to smother my interpretation with yours you win . We all are still going to be JUDGED by the Lord on His day despite all our beliefs . Everything will be scrutinized . ( Revelation )
John 15: 2
" He (God) CUTS OFF every branch in me that bears NO FRUIT , while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.​

So true brother.

Many who oppose the truths of the scripture, in favor of their own doctrine, think it’s a game to twist and redefine scripture, to suit there own preconceived idea, while all the while ignoring the fact that we will all be Judged according to our deeds, by the One who laid down His life to do the will of the Father.


God who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, Romans 2:5-8


And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29




JLB

 

[dirtfarmer]

Brother dirtfarmer blessings to all and love to all. I'm not here to win an argument but lose and if I can gain your love it's my victory. I mentioned MY opinion because that's MY interpretation of the scripture . According to my interpretation of Bible it's ABSOLUTELY clear "No obedience no salvation "( which many believers covet, for and hence come to Christ) . I have no such goals brother. Salvation is NOT my goal to follow Jesus. It's a BYPRODUCT, if at all. If not perfectly fine . My goal is to LEARN to do the will of God vs mine.
I want to learn and follow the Lord. Salvation is ZERO on my agenda. If I've learned anything from Bible it's Christ always did God's will over his . That's the challenge. " Can the cup not pass, yet not as I will but as YOU will".
Brother dirt farmer as I share my thoughts, it upsets many others . I genuinely believe easy believism doctrine is HERESY being taught in many churches. I'm sure devil loves the fact that it teaches that obedience ain't needed for salvation . The core of Christ's teaching isn't just faith but obedience as well. paradox here is CRAVING SALVATION itself is not Christian . Didn't Jesus say " whoever loves his life will LOSE it ....

John 12:25 ►

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Again I say I've stopped believing what pastors teach but what is evident and obvious from the Lord's teachings . If you wish to smother my interpretation with yours you win . We all are still going to be JUDGED by the Lord on His day despite all our beliefs . Everything will be scrutinized . ( Revelation )
John 15: 2
" He (God) CUTS OFF every branch in me that bears NO FRUIT , while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.​

hello Rejesh Sahu, dirtfarmer here

Where is the argument that you are hoping to lose? there is none. If I understand scripture it states that there is no private interpretation of scripture. We are to compare scripture with scripture in order to have the correct interpretation.

Obedience for salvation is a "works" based salvation. Ephesians 2:8 states, " For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves:" It states in this verse that we are saved through faith not by obedience (doing any thing).
In John 6:29 Jesus tells us what the work is that God requires; " Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Where in this is there any mention of work( doing).

If salvation is not your goal, but a byproduct of following Jesus, then what is your goal in following Jesus? Without salvation there is only condemnation and a destiny in the lake of fire.

There is no such thing as "easy believism" but the life that Christ lives through those that have been crucified with him and resurrected to "walk in newness of life".

I will agree that we are still going to be judged as believers, but it is not for entrance into heaven. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Are you in Christ, does he live through you? If you are stilling living by your own power then you have no salvation but a "will worship". Read Colossians 2:18-23 to understand "will worship"
Our works will be judged to determine rewards, but not for an entrance into the presence of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 3:15, " If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Paul is the apostle to the heathen(Gentile), not Peter, James, or John. The mystery that God hid from the world was the Church and revealed it to and through Paul.

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

hello Rejesh Sahu, dirtfarmer here

Where is the argument that you are hoping to lose? there is none. If I understand scripture it states that there is no private interpretation of scripture. We are to compare scripture with scripture in order to have the correct interpretation.

Obedience for salvation is a "works" based salvation. Ephesians 2:8 states, " For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves:" It states in this verse that we are saved through faith not by obedience (doing any thing).
In John 6:29 Jesus tells us what the work is that God requires; " Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Where in this is there any mention of work( doing).

If salvation is not your goal, but a byproduct of following Jesus, then what is your goal in following Jesus? Without salvation there is only condemnation and a destiny in the lake of fire.

There is no such thing as "easy believism" but the life that Christ lives through those that have been crucified with him and resurrected to "walk in newness of life".

I will agree that we are still going to be judged as believers, but it is not for entrance into heaven. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Are you in Christ, does he live through you? If you are stilling living by your own power then you have no salvation but a "will worship". Read Colossians 2:18-23 to understand "will worship"
Our works will be judged to determine rewards, but not for an entrance into the presence of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 3:15, " If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Paul is the apostle to the heathen(Gentile), not Peter, James, or John. The mystery that God hid from the world was the Church and revealed it to and through Paul.

Why then did New testament writer James say Faith is dead without works? Did he too make an error as I'm being purported to be making ---- in my interpretation?
James 2 : 14-26
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] 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?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

If salvation is not your goal, but a byproduct of following Jesus, then what is your goal in following Jesus? Without salvation there is only condemnation and a destiny in the lake of fire

Again I reiterate salvation or damnation is not what I covet or fear . My heart resonates with the following words of the legendary Christian missionary from India Sadhu Sundar Singh :
"Should I worship Him from fear of hell, may I be cast into it. Should I serve Him from desire of gaining heaven, may He keep me out. But should I worship Him from love alone, He reveals Himself to me, that my whole heart may be filled with His love and presence."


- Sadhu Sundar Singh

 

[dirtfarmer]

Why then did New testament writer James say Faith is dead without works? Did he too make an error as I'm being purported to be making ---- in my interpretation?
James 2 : 14-26
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] 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?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

hello Rajesh Sahu, dirtfarmer here

There are a lot of people don't consider the command to "rightly divide the word of truth" as written to them. While I agree that all scripture is divinely inspired but must be taken in context as to whom it was written.

James was written to the "twelve tribes which are scattered abroad". are you a member of one of those tribes? According to Galatians 2:7-9 James was an apostle to the circumcision(Jews) and not the Gentiles.

As I have stated before, God doesn't need to see our works to determine if we have faith, He has the ability to look upon our hearts. It is man that needs to see "works of righteousness" to know that we have been saved.

As to post #67, it is when we understand what our destination was before our salvation and what our destination is now, after salvation, that we see that God first loved us when we were at enmity with him and gave His Son as payment for our sin debt. The reason that he gave his Son was not because of anything that we had done nor were any value to Him. He simply loved us and desired a relationship with us, but because He cannot look at sin and not judge it, is why He provides a path to fellowship through Jesus Christ, his son.

 

[Papa Zoom]

Why then did New testament writer James say Faith is dead without works? Did he too make an error as I'm being purported to be making ---- in my interpretation?
James 2 : 14-26
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] 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?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I'm totally convinced that faith and works walk hand in hand. Works from a pure heart where the works are unto God and God alone. I love my wife and try to serve her needs. But I do it unto the Lord. So that when she disappoints me or some conflict arises, my love and service to her won't cease or diminish because it's to the Lord and not her. She's the recipient of that love and service. But I serve God. I hope that makes sense. God never disappoints. People do. Serve them and they will disappoint. But serve them through God (and in a real way we serve God through others as well, a two way street) and you'll not be disappointed. Because God adds grace upon grace. He can't be outdone in that department.

 

[Papa Zoom]

Again I reiterate salvation or damnation is not what I covet or fear . My heart resonates with the following words of the legendary Christian missionary from India Sadhu Sundar Singh :
"Should I worship Him from fear of hell, may I be cast into it. Should I serve Him from desire of gaining heaven, may He keep me out. But should I worship Him from love alone, He reveals Himself to me, that my whole heart may be filled with His love and presence."


- Sadhu Sundar Singh

Amen. I worship Him and serve him from a heart of love because of who He is! He is worthy! I am drawn to Him because of Himself! I don't seek fire insurance. I seek the God of the Universe and Creator of all!

 

[Papa Zoom]

hello Rajesh Sahu, dirtfarmer here

There are a lot of people don't consider the command to "rightly divide the word of truth" as written to them. While I agree that all scripture is divinely inspired but must be taken in context as to whom it was written.

James was written to the "twelve tribes which are scattered abroad". are you a member of one of those tribes? According to Galatians 2:7-9 James was an apostle to the circumcision(Jews) and not the Gentiles.

As I have stated before, God doesn't need to see our works to determine if we have faith, He has the ability to look upon our hearts. It is man that needs to see "works of righteousness" to know that we have been saved.

As to post #67, it is when we understand what our destination was before our salvation and what our destination is now, after salvation, that we see that God first loved us when we were at enmity with him and gave His Son as payment for our sin debt. The reason that he gave his Son was not because of anything that we had done nor were any value to Him. He simply loved us and desired a relationship with us, but because He cannot look at sin and not judge it, is why He provides a path to fellowship through Jesus Christ, his son.

Loving others is a work. Keeping the words of Jesus is a work. Sharing what you have is a work. Such things come from a pure heart of Love towards God.

If God looks at one's heart and it's pure toward Him, He can also look at one's life deeds and see that love in action.

If there are not actions, there is no love. It's not a garden if nothing has been planted and nothing is growing.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Loving others is a work. Keeping the words of Jesus is a work. Sharing what you have is a work. Such things come from a pure heart of Love towards God.

If God looks at one's heart and it's pure toward Him, He can also look at one's life deeds and see that love in action.

If there are not actions, there is no love. It's not a garden if nothing has been planted and nothing is growing.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

hello Papa Zoom, dirtfarmer here

If you read Ephesians 2:10 it is not stated that we are to do good works, but that we are to walk in them. We are the creation of God in Christ for good works. If our life is in Christ then we are dead and the life that we now live is Christ'.

By what power do we have the ability to do good works if we have died to self? It is Christ that lives in us that pleases God. No where in scripture is it written that we are pleasing to God, but it is written that Christ is well pleasing to God. Good works are not an afterthought of God, nor are they optional. God created them in Christ Jesus for the believer to "walk in them", as is stated in the latter phrase of Ephesians 2:10.

 

[Papa Zoom]

hello Papa Zoom, dirtfarmer here

If you read Ephesians 2:10 it is not stated that we are to do good works, but that we are to walk in them. We are the creation of God in Christ for good works. If our life is in Christ then we are dead and the life that we now live is Christ'.

By what power do we have the ability to do good works if we have died to self? It is Christ that lives in us that pleases God. No where in scripture is it written that we are pleasing to God, but it is written that Christ is well pleasing to God. Good works are not an afterthought of God, nor are they optional. God created them in Christ Jesus for the believer to "walk in them", as is stated in the latter phrase of Ephesians 2:10.

And what is the difference between walking in good works and doing them?

 

[dirtfarmer]

And what is the difference between walking in good works and doing them?

hello Papa Zoom, dirtfarmer here

When we walk in good works, it is a spiritual walk with Christ working through us by his power. When we do good works it is done by the our own power and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through us.

Is giving money to help the needy a good work? it is if it is done in the Jesus' name, because he gets the glory for it, but if it is given in a mans name, the man gets the glory for it and not Christ.
Colossians 2:23 " Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh."

 

[brujaq]

I think there are two kinds of fear . One in the presence of God and the other being out of the presence of God .. One being in the Spirit that leads to being revealed how big and powerful God is compared to us that leads to love and the other realizing the horror of being lost and hopeless out of Gods will with no where to go or escape to if we continue in our evil way ..
Not exactly Exodus 34:29-35 , 19-20 but in the ball park .. I've been so terrified after a dream that for years I witnessed to every person I met or come across (did I say every) for fear for them going to hell forever out of the presence of God and the night before, a dream in the presence of God with the radiance of God penetrating in waves through my very being .. I think God give me the good dream so I could endure the fear from the second dream the next night .. The first dream I was so proud that God loved me so much and how special I must be , the second I became motivated and even my whole bed trembled from fear .. No way I could ever explain it . Even today I cannot speak about Jesus in front of a group or crowd because I still breakout weeping or mask the tenderness with a rough exterior sometimes mean look .. I hate that, many of the posts from others make me tear up when my Spirit bears witness and I love you all ..

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

Amen. I worship Him and serve him from a heart of love because of who He is! He is worthy! I am drawn to Him because of Himself! I don't seek fire insurance. I seek the God of the Universe and Creator of all!

Amen amen amen brother Papa ! Hallelujah! No more fire insurance policy. Let us love Him for He loved us first . He is worthy . He IS God!

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

Loving others is a work. Keeping the words of Jesus is a work. Sharing what you have is a work. Such things come from a pure heart of Love towards God.

If God looks at one's heart and it's pure toward Him, He can also look at one's life deeds and see that love in action.

If there are not actions, there is no love. It's not a garden if nothing has been planted and nothing is growing.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

Wonderfully explained . Amen! Jesus gave His all for us . Yes He DOES expect obedience. God is Love,reveal the scripture, and God expects us to be loving too.
Mark 22: 37-40
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Lord Jesus adds another command in John 13:34 :

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Thus if we add all three commands, this is how it looks ( in words of the Lord)

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
'Love each other as I have loved you.'

Love is what really stands out in Christ's teaching. And I believe it's the opposite of fear and sin---true Godly love

 

[chessman]

And what is the difference between walking in good works and doing them?

The same difference that is evident by flying in an airplane versus manufacturing the airplane.

We ARE His workmanship, for Christ’s sake behave like it (Eph 2:10).

 

[Honey]

~sigh~ I hope that's the last of that. ;) Love ya! ~Papa

I'd hope so too but we'll see.

 

[Papa Zoom]

hello Papa Zoom, dirtfarmer here

When we walk in good works, it is a spiritual walk with Christ working through us by his power. When we do good works it is done by the our own power and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through us.

Is giving money to help the needy a good work? it is if it is done in the Jesus' name, because he gets the glory for it, but if it is given in a mans name, the man gets the glory for it and not Christ.
Colossians 2:23 " Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh."

We are called to do good works. When we do anything, it should be as unto the Lord. I don't differentiate between the two above because for me it is a given that it's done in the power of the Spirit. It must (works) come from the heart and the heart must be with the right motives. If for personal glory, it's not a work that will stand the test. If I give in secret to the glory of God, it's a good work. If I help the needy as unto Christ, it's a good work. We should seek to do these things but yes, as unto the Lord with a proper heart toward God.

I believe strongly in servant leadership and servant-hood in general. That is we should strive to live our lives in the way of Christ. We do so with humility and only for the glory of God. We don't make a big deal of our service, we just do it. With glad hearts. And always being mindful that it is a work of God in our lives that allow us to do any good at all so in the end, all the glory and honor belong to God. That's how I see it. ;)