Growth What must we do to do the works God requires of us?

[Eugene]

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?

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

How does God speak to us?
Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

[Chopper]

Hello K2CHRIST.I have a question about this statement of yours....

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!

The words in the Book, the Bible, have lots of work that God wants us to do. Like....Isaiah 58:7 "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" ESV

I hope all is well with you and your family. If you have any pressing prayer needs, it would be my honor to pray that our Great God would supply whatever you need, in Jesus Name.

 

[Jim Parker]

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

Consider: Heb 3:16-19 (NKJV)
For who, having heard, rebelled?
Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
Now with whom was He angry forty years?
Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Here the scripture equates disobedience (failure to do as commanded) with unbelief.
So, belief would include acting (doing works) in accordance with the commands of God.

iakovos der meshugenah

 

[JLB]

Consider: Heb 3:16-19 (NKJV)
For who, having heard, rebelled?
Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
Now with whom was He angry forty years?
Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Here the scripture equates disobedience (failure to do as commanded) with unbelief.
So, belief would include acting (doing works) in accordance with the commands of God.

iakovos der meshugenah

I completely agree.

It couldn't be more clear.

However those who choose to twist the scriptures to their own destruction will deny what is so plainly written.


JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

I completely agree.
It couldn't be more clear.
However those who choose to twist the scriptures to their own destruction will deny what is so plainly written.
JLB

2Pe 3:14-16 (NKJV)
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

 

[iLOVE]

Jesus tells us in John 6:29 that the works of God is to believe in the One that He sent. That is Jesus.

John 6:29 - Jesus was telling them that their Salvation rested in Faith instead of works. They must "believe on Him," i.e., Christ. The great Work that God requires is Faith in His Beloved Son Whom He sent. Otherwise, works, however pious, are "dead works." To believe on Jesus meant to declare Him as the Messiah and the Saviour of mankind. Believing , not works, and more specifically, to "believe on Him," is the key.

JSM

 

[Jim Parker]

John 6:29 - Jesus was telling them that their Salvation rested in Faith instead of works. They must "believe on Him," i.e., Christ. The great Work that God requires is Faith in His Beloved Son Whom He sent. Otherwise, works, however pious, are "dead works." To believe on Jesus meant to declare Him as the Messiah and the Saviour of mankind. Believing , not works, and more specifically, to "believe on Him," is the key.

JSM

So all you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Christ and you're in, right?
You don't have to actually obey Him as your LORD and do the things Jesus said we are to do?
When Jesus said He would determine whether people went to heaven or hell depending on what the works they did, he was just kidding? (Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:36; 5:28-29; 8:51)
ANd Paul was wrong too? (Ro 6:2-10; 8:12-14; 2Cor 5:10)
And so was Peter? (1 Pet 1:17)
And so was John? (1 John 2:17; Rev 20:12-13; 22:12 - 14)

The great Work that God requires is Faith in His Beloved Son Whom He sent.

Faith, if it is not accompanied by works, is dead and will not save anyone.
Faith without works, in fact, is false faith. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations. Disciples do what their LORD tells them to do and doing is working.
People who say they believe but don't "let their light so shine before men that they see your works and praise the Father in heaven" are not disciples; they are just fans.

There are over 150 passages that tell believers they need to do the works appropriate for a believer.

But you know better, right? No need for the snark, reba

 

[iLOVE]

So all you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Christ and you're in, right?
You don't have to actually obey Him as your LORD and do the things Jesus said we are to do?
When Jesus said He would determine whether people went to heaven or hell depending on what the works they did, he was just kidding? (Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:36; 5:28-29; 8:51)
ANd Paul was wrong too? (Ro 6:2-10; 8:12-14; 2Cor 5:10)
And so was Peter? (1 Pet 1:17)
And so was John? (1 John 2:17; Rev 20:12-13; 22:12 - 14)

Faith, if it is not accompanied by works, is dead and will not save anyone.
Faith without works, in fact, is false faith. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations. Disciples do what their LORD tells them to do and doing is working.
People who say they believe but don't "let their light so shine before men that they see your works and praise the Father in heaven" are not disciples; they are just fans.

There are over 150 passages that tell believers they need to do the works appropriate for a believer.

But you know better, right?

FOR WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO! Stop preaching another jesus that is not in the bible. The Law says do, grace says done. We do not work for our salvation. You are presenting the doctrine of the RCC. edited

 

[JLB]

FOR WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO! Stop preaching another Jesus that is not in the bible. The Law says do, grace says done. We do not work for our salvation. You are presenting the doctrine of the RCC. We are Christians.

It's a matter of love, not law.

Loving people in deed, no just word only, is the law of Moses?

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:14

Living our life according to the Spirit, in which we practice righteousness, is what we are all called to do, rather than living our life as a slave to our flesh, whereby we gratify the sinful desires of our flesh.


7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:7-10

• Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

If you steal from your brother, then you are not loving him.

If you murder your brother, you are not loving him.

If you see your brother hungry, and walk away and don't give him something to eat, you are not loving him.

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. James 2:14-17



JLB

 

[K2CHRIST]

Hello K2CHRIST.I have a question about this statement of yours....


The words in the Book, the Bible, have lots of work that God wants us to do. Like....Isaiah 58:7 "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" ESV

I hope all is well with you and your family. If you have any pressing prayer needs, it would be my honor to pray that our Great God would supply whatever you need, in Jesus Name.

Ok - I assume that you are spending all your time going around looking for the naked poor person and giving him clothes???

No - of course not! That is not what you are doing all day!!!

We have lots of things to do. We have work. We have relationship. We do not spend all our time clothing the homeless. It is something the church in general should be doing, but who in the church and when.

If you are not listening to the Lord's small voice you don't even know if that is the ministry you are suppose to be in. Perhaps you should be a counselor, instead of spending all your time putting clothes on the homeless. We do need well spoken counselors, but a Christian counselor should know about hearing the voice of the Lord. How else would he even know if he was to be a Christian counselor? And how could he even be a Christian counselor if He was not regularly hearing the voice of the Lord and was being lead by the voice of the One call Wonderful Counselor?

So the Bible can help us know what the Lord likes us doing in general, but we need to be listening to Him personally to know the work we need to personally be doing and how!!!

Prov 1:20 Wisdom shouts in the streets, She lifts her voice in the square:
Prov 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom: From His mouth come knowledge and understanding

The Lord send us the Spirit and when do we need to hear God's words? Isn't in the street and in the square? So we can read in our room, but if we can not apply what we read and thus listen to the Lord while on the streets and in the square, do you really think you are doing the work of the Lord. You have to be lead by His voice, meaning actually hearing the words of the Spirit of God while you go through your day to day life!!

Jn 10:3 ... the sheep hear his voice and he call his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
Jn 10:4 ... the sheep follow him because they know his voice
Is 30:21 And your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it" whenever you turn to the right of to the left.

Yeah, the Bible is correct and good for reproof and correction. So are we Christians hearing the Lord's voice and following Him and doing His work by hearing His voice every time we turn to the right of to the left? Or our we leaning on our understanding?

From what I read on this forum, and from what I hear the Lord telling me; I believe we are not listening to Him and seeking His voice like we should. We instead, in general, our leaning on our understanding of His Book, instead of being lead by His voice like the Book says!

 

[JLB]

Ok - I assume that you are spending all your time going around looking for the naked poor person and giving him clothes???

No, its who the Lord brings across our path.

He equips each of us for the work He has for us to do.

To the one who has many to love and serve He gives that one 10 talents.

To the one who has few to love and serve, He gives 1 talent.


JLB

 

[K2CHRIST]

No, its who the Lord brings across our path.

He equips each of us for the work He has for us to do.

To the one who has many to love and serve He gives that one 10 talents.

To the one who has few to love and serve, He gives 1 talent.


JLB

Luke 11:28 But He said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

The doesn't just set things up, He leads us by HIs voice!!! The clearly showed that. When Jesus came He as who had ears to hear. We are not just going around thinking God is doing whatever He is doing and so we just go around doing whatever we think we want to do. That is leaning on your own understanding!!

Now the talent parable is given to teach us that we need to be doing things for the Lord. But what things? Jesus said He did and said only what the Father told Him, and He set the perfect example. He kept in constant communication with the Father and did what He was being told. That is the perfect example. We are not that perfect, but we should be trying to listen to Him. And He is not our Lord if we are not listening to Him.

Is 30:9 For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen to the instructions of the Lord.

His sheep hear His voice. His sheep our lead out by listening to His voice. It is not just a "Lord bring across our path", way of living. It is personally knowing the One who we are supposed to be calling Lord. And a Lord is someone who gives you instructions. But it is also written that with their ears they don't hear. We are saved by faith, but it is written that faith comes from hearing! And that does not meaning reading and studying the Bible. We do that too, but the Pharisees and Sadducees did that and it didn't save them. In fact Jesus told the Jews they were searching the Scriptures thinking in them they had eternal life, but they didn't come to Him so that they might live.

So the work of God is that all should come to know the Son!!

And the reason is simple. We simply do not know what to do when!! But the Lord does! So you must know Him, and knowing His book is not the same and knowing Him, anymore than knowing any book is the same thing and knowing the author of a book. The Jews knew the Book, but they didn't know Him. And people are still making that same mistake today! We can see the mistake in the Bible, so why don't we think they apply to us? Isn't because we are not willing to listen to the Lord who reproves, and corrects those He loves.

 

[Willie T]

Following God's laws has nothing to do with Salvation, but doing so DOES tend to make life better for us.

 

[K2CHRIST]

.
1 Jn 4:9 . . . God sent his only begotten Son into the world,

AND

Joh 6:29 . . . This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.

The reason that the work of God is that we believe on Jesus Christ, the One who has been sent to us is, that we need Him to know what best in our lives. He said He would never leave us. That being the case, we can get instruction, wisdom, teaching, and counsel from Him. That is why He is called the Word of God according to the Bible. But if we don't believe on Him, we will not seek Him and His words for us personally. Thus the work of God is that you believe on Him. And saying in your heart that He can't be heard from is not the Word of God we are preaching. We a preaching a close personal relationship with Him you should confess to be your Lord. You will confess that if indeed you are getting instructions from them and doing them.

 

[K2CHRIST]

Following God's laws has nothing to do with Salvation, but doing so DOES tend to make life better for us.

If you are leaning on your understanding of God's Law it might not make your life better. What do you think happened in the Crusades. Do not realize that even the Pharisees thought they were following God's laws, and they were sons of the devil. What makes our lives better is knowing the Lord. He knows what to have you do that will make you happy, and that while helping others. He words are spirit and our life, and it is that life which really means living. And it is that life that gives you salvation. Paul learned to be content in all things. He lived by seeking the Lord and hearing with faith.

 

[Eugene]

We a preaching a close personal relationship with Him you should confess to be your Lord. You will confess that if indeed you are getting instructions from them and doing them.

Hi K2CHRIST, and thanks for your reply, although I may be not hearing you correctly. I would ask if there is anything such as even going over the speed limit (Rom 13:5) you must ever take before the Lord such as we read in 1Jn 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Is this to you past, or present and why if you have an opinion.

Next I assume you to be born of God because you're listed as a Christian, and we read in 1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not . . . .
I will ask if this is just another manner of opposition of us who believe that we who are saved have eternal life. Our destiny is secure with Christ, and it is the fellowship with Christ of experiencing the overcoming of the world we're already delivered from, the possibility of reigning as joint heirs (Rom 8:17) instead of just heirs as we allow God to will and to do of his good pleasure (Php 2:13).

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

 

[JLB]

Luke 11:28 But He said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

The doesn't just set things up, He leads us by HIs voice!!! The clearly showed that. When Jesus came He as who had ears to hear. We are not just going around thinking God is doing whatever He is doing and so we just go around doing whatever we think we want to do. That is leaning on your own understanding!!

Again, He gives to each one according to their ability.

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:14-19


We are expected to serve in the kingdom, whom the Lord brings to us, according to our ability.


JLB

 

[JLB]

Following God's laws has nothing to do with Salvation, but doing so DOES tend to make life better for us.

Yes, better as in not being cast into the lake of fire.

7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things,and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8



JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

Stop preaching another Jesus that is not in the bible.

So quoting exactly what Jesus specifically said is "preaching another Jesus"?
Mat 25:34-36 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.
That's Jesus saying that the people who did works of mercy ("good works") got to enter the kingdom of heaven. ("Got saved")

Mat 25:41-3 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me."
That's Jesus telling the people who did NOT DO works of mercy (no "good works") to go to hell.

And Just to make sure you get it, Jesus reiterated:
Mat 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
And who are the righteous?
They are the ones who gave water to the thirsty, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, sheltered the stranger, visited the sick and the prisoners. The righteous are the ones who did works of mercy and they got to enter the kingdom of heaven.

So you don't get to go to heaven by saying "I believe!" and the sitting on your butt while people starve, go naked and without shelter or rot in some hospital ward or prison when it is within your ability to do something.
Jas 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Mat 5:16)
And He also said:
"... the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—
those who have done good, to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."
(Jhn 5:29-29)
Do you see that?
Those who have done good get eternal life.
Those who have done evil get condemnation.

You are presenting the doctrine of the RCC. We are Christians.

edited reba

 

[iLOVE]

So quoting exactly what Jesus specifically said is "preaching another Jesus"?
Mat 25:34-36 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.
That's Jesus saying that the people who did works of mercy ("good works") got to enter the kingdom of heaven. ("Got saved")

Mat 25:41-3 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me."
That's Jesus telling the people who did NOT DO works of mercy (no "good works") to go to hell.

And Just to make sure you get it, Jesus reiterated:
Mat 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
And who are the righteous?
They are the ones who gave water to the thirsty, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, sheltered the stranger, visited the sick and the prisoners. The righteous are the ones who did works of mercy and they got to enter the kingdom of heaven.

So you don't get to go to heaven by saying "I believe!" and the sitting on your butt while people starve, go naked and without shelter or rot in some hospital ward or prison when it is within your ability to do something.
Jas 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Mat 5:16)
And He also said:
"... the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—
those who have done good, to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."
(Jhn 5:29-29)
Do you see that?
Those who have done good get eternal life.
Those who have done evil get condemnation.

If you are a Christian then quit peddling cheap grace.
If you are a Christian then quit telling people not to obey Jesus.
If you are a Christian then quit telling people to ignore what Jesus and Paul and Peter and John and James all said that a Christian is to do i order to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

And please refrain from judging Christians in the RCC. (See Jesus' words again at Mat 7:1-2
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

And if you attend a "church" where they teach that "KATH-licks" aren't Christians then I urge you to find a church where the preachers and teachers are not ignorant as dirt, have a three-digit IQ, and are free of religious bigotry.

From the Terms of Service:
7) Do not post opinions of another member's claim of Christian faith. (ToS 2.4)
Publicly judging someone as not being a Christian and/or not following Christ unless they themselves claim not be a Christian is disallowed. That's between them and the Lord. This includes judgments against collective beliefs or groups in general.

All laws and commandments are kept by the Holy Spirit - "The Law of the Spirit of Life In Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2 - Gal.2:20-21). When the Believer places his Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, all laws and commandments are kept by the Holy Spirit.

Listen to what the Apostle Paul said when he tried to live for God by law and commandment keeping (Rom. 7:9-11);
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin (nature) revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

The Apostle Paul makes it crystal clear that the sin nature revived and he fell God by sinning by trying to keep the laws and commandments in his own strength and will power (man must understand that his strength and will power can only go but so far before it begins to faultier. The Holy Spirit strength never faultier.) Christians must stay clear from the religion of works. Beware of work base righteousness - The LAW says do good - get good; do bad - get bad.

1 Chronicles 13:10 - And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God (No man can come in the presence of God in his own strength and ability. He is Holy).

Proper faith will always produce proper works. Faith without works is dead. (our work is to believe only - faith without believing is dead. John 6:28-29

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (So stop bragging about works!)