My aunt sent me an e-mail this morning about a retired carpenter that desired to see revival in his country. This sure beats a flanel-graph.
Christine's 1st Birthday Blog
9 years ago
30 October 2008
25 October 2008
On Works and Salvation
While reading through the book of Mark a while ago, I came across the familiar story of the rich young ruler. This man came to Jesus to find out what he needed to do to inherit eternal life and things were looking pretty good from his perspective until Jesus lowered the boom: " Then Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up your cross and follow me.' " (Mark 10:21) This was not what the man had hoped to hear and he was sorrowful, causing Jesus to state how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. So hard in fact that a camel can more easily pass through the eye of a needle than the rich through the gates of heaven. The young man had a clear choice to make; forsake his vast wealth and cast his lot with Jesus Christ to inherit eternal life or cast his lot with his vast wealth and reject Jesus' clear path to eternal life.
All scripture is profitable for doctrine so there must be a lesson here somewhere. I would imagine that Jesus doesn't grade on the curve where wealth is concerned and I would not hesitate to say that much of, if not all of western culture is wealthy beyond the wildest dreams of the rest of the world, and most of the peoples from the beginning of time. Is our wealth going to keep us from Christ and eternal life? Could we give away all we have for the service of Christ and trust Him for what we truly need? It looks pretty bleak for the westerner who hopes to attain eternal life. I had to stop and consider this passage in light of James 2:14-26. Faith without works is dead. James challenges his opponent to show him his faith without works. Obviously, his opponent could not. We show our faith, or lack thereof, by our works. Jesus was challenging the rich man to action; demonstrating that he had faith in Jesus, not his stuff. That same challenge goes out to everyone; show Me your faith! The lesson here is not for every believer to be completely possession less, but rather to follow Jesus completely, even if it means being completely broke. Do we love our stuff, or do we love the One who allows us have it. Remember Luke 16:13, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth personified)." God requires nothing less than our complete devotion to him. I fear for a lot of people in the church who have placed their faith and trust in their wealth instead of Christ. Do we give to the Lord first and trust Him to meet our needs or do we give Him what is left over once we've satisfied all of our own desires? Are we demonstrating the faith of demons, who believe in God and tremble at His power, but reject Him with their actions? That is not true faith acording to James 2:20.
How can we accomplish this difficult task of forsaking our wealth to follow Him? Jesus Himself said it was impossible. For mankind in his own power it is, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). Praise God! He can give me the abillity to act on my faith and forsake my riches for His sake. Paul challenges the Philippians to "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13) This is not a call to work for your salvation but rather to demonstrate it, and what's more; He'll help me to do it! I am challenged by what is known as "The Lukewarm Church" in Revelation 3:14-22. These trusted in their wealth and thought they needed nothing. After analyzing their works, Jesus assessment of their situation was very different; wretched, poor, blind, and naked. Spiritually, they were destitute and needy and their condition was repulsive to the Lord. I challenge myself and those who read to do the works that demonstrate their faith and not try to divide our allegience to Jesus with a lessor god.
All scripture is profitable for doctrine so there must be a lesson here somewhere. I would imagine that Jesus doesn't grade on the curve where wealth is concerned and I would not hesitate to say that much of, if not all of western culture is wealthy beyond the wildest dreams of the rest of the world, and most of the peoples from the beginning of time. Is our wealth going to keep us from Christ and eternal life? Could we give away all we have for the service of Christ and trust Him for what we truly need? It looks pretty bleak for the westerner who hopes to attain eternal life. I had to stop and consider this passage in light of James 2:14-26. Faith without works is dead. James challenges his opponent to show him his faith without works. Obviously, his opponent could not. We show our faith, or lack thereof, by our works. Jesus was challenging the rich man to action; demonstrating that he had faith in Jesus, not his stuff. That same challenge goes out to everyone; show Me your faith! The lesson here is not for every believer to be completely possession less, but rather to follow Jesus completely, even if it means being completely broke. Do we love our stuff, or do we love the One who allows us have it. Remember Luke 16:13, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth personified)." God requires nothing less than our complete devotion to him. I fear for a lot of people in the church who have placed their faith and trust in their wealth instead of Christ. Do we give to the Lord first and trust Him to meet our needs or do we give Him what is left over once we've satisfied all of our own desires? Are we demonstrating the faith of demons, who believe in God and tremble at His power, but reject Him with their actions? That is not true faith acording to James 2:20.
How can we accomplish this difficult task of forsaking our wealth to follow Him? Jesus Himself said it was impossible. For mankind in his own power it is, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). Praise God! He can give me the abillity to act on my faith and forsake my riches for His sake. Paul challenges the Philippians to "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13) This is not a call to work for your salvation but rather to demonstrate it, and what's more; He'll help me to do it! I am challenged by what is known as "The Lukewarm Church" in Revelation 3:14-22. These trusted in their wealth and thought they needed nothing. After analyzing their works, Jesus assessment of their situation was very different; wretched, poor, blind, and naked. Spiritually, they were destitute and needy and their condition was repulsive to the Lord. I challenge myself and those who read to do the works that demonstrate their faith and not try to divide our allegience to Jesus with a lessor god.
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