Thoughts for another day

Aug. 19, 2013.

Today's verse: Tit. 3:8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

There are two points here that compel our attention:

One, it’s often a thing of contention among Christians, Catholic and non-Catholic whereby one argues that a person is justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and has no need of any other thing for his justification; so therefore, all good works that one does cannot grant him passage to heaven.  On the other hand is the other belief that without good works your faith is dead as James says in his letter, 2:26, says, ‘Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.’  So they challenge the other brigade in saying, it’s the Bible which says, faith without works is dead and so there have to be works!  

Two, as soon as you believe in God and I mean really believe, you’ll be immediately struck by the need to do works.  Compassion for the other creeps in and the soul learns the art of sympathy and empathy and gears itself to being a little selfless and to reach out to those that’re desperate and in need.  It’s just like when a zebra is born, it’s body is white and striped black, or vice-versa if you want it that way, and it eats grass, by virtue of it being born a zebra.  So too, a Christian, when born again must show the effects of being born again or question whether he is.

To all those who argue stupidly without genuine love of Christ, I’d recommend not to waste time on which of the two principles, ‘faith’ or ‘works’ is important.  To me, it’s faith first and consequently, works; for faith must lead to works or it’s no faith and no faith means no salvation for remember Jesus said, ‘whatsoever you do to the least of My brothers, that you do unto Me.’ Just as Paul says, ‘they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works…’  Similarly, if you have only good works but no faith, that too is useless as it cannot save.  So I tell you my friend, no matter where you were leaning earlier, change and do what’s necessary, lest you cut a sorry figure before Him Who will judge you and in Whom is no blemish, nor a shadow of doubt as He sits in unapproachable light.