Christians are quite an interesting bunch....
Before I start throwing shade at my fellow believers in Christ, let me clearly state...I'm pointing the finger directly at myself. Big time. Because let me know if this hits sounds like something we all might be guilty of.
We like to think, we are are saved! We are going straight to heaven. We are a peculiar people. Everyone else is wrong, we are right and prance around with some ego and pride puffed up for the world to see.
Sound like some popular Christians you may know?
So I was driving to work tonight and was listening to a sermon...And what the preacher was talking about was a huge gut check for me, and I hope it can be for you as well.
Here's a paraphrase of what was presenter:
"We like to say 'wow' when we learn something about the bible or God. We love to memorize scripture. We love to show the world how much we know....But that Christianity is feeble. Do we read the same 28th chapter of Matthew? We are to GO to the world! We are to show the world what God has done for us!"
The main point that he was trying to make is that all the knowledge of God is absolutely useless, if we are not doing something with it. Are we saved by works? Absolutely not. But faith without works is dead!!
Works is the fruit of BEING saved. And something I fail at miserably as a Christian is actually DOING Christ like activities.
Am I helping social programs that help others less fortunate? Nope.
Am I out there talking to people face to face about God? Nope.
Am I helping others, feeding others, serving others? Nope.
And if I do any of these things, even in some small way, I can do more. Here's my hang up with this, I do believe we are living in the end times. I do believe that Jesus will be coming again soon.
When He does, time is up. What will the records in heaven show about my life here on earth? Saved through Jesus, but what are the fruits of the spirit? What are the fruits I'm bearing?
That's a prayer I'm praying tonight. Big time. You see, this is something I truly need in my life to bear good fruits. And sure, we can pat ourself on the back for all these things we might be accomplish....But that's not Christian at all.
By His will, not mine!
I know I can become more. Through the Holy Spirit. With a lot of prayer and actually putting what I'm learning into action. What's funny, this is something I used to 'teach' my clients and customers over the years....
Don't just learn all this stuff, actually do something with what you are learning. And I think this message for Christians can hold a lot of weight as well. And no, this isn't saved by works. This is works because we are saved. And sanctification is a life long adventure.
We just need to put this amazing grace we are being blessed with, into action!
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At the beginning of your post, the first thing that came to mind was exactly, "Faith without works is dead", which you referenced.
I am a Roman Catholic. By default we do not take it for granted that we are saved, much less by our own declaration. You may have heard of Catholic guilt, which is a real thing, although somewhat exaggerated. We can simply do our best and hope that when Judgement Day comes, we'll have made good choices. The hope is that God's grace will ultimately be in our favor like a teacher might give you extra points for effort.
Over the years, I've learned some wisdom similar to what you have written. One nugget is that you can't get to heaven through bible study. One should not be too zealous about going to bible study and neglecting one's other obligations. Those of us with family mustn't neglect them. This touches on vocation, which is choosing a way of life either in the priesthood, as a married person, a single person, or consecrated life. In my case, being married, there are obligations to my wife and children. This married life is a way of fulfilling purpose and contributing to the world, which is part of His plan. Raising good people is not a small job.
On top of that, there is a universal call to holiness as part of our vocation. This is about growing closer to God and living according to His will.
There is also the personal journey of discovering and putting our talents to work for the greater good.
And, one's vocation is understood to not be a one-time decision but a lifelong journey of responding to God's call and growing in holiness.
All this to say that "works" are the expression of vocation. We can have faith, but if we raise wicked children we have failed to produce good works. Whatever our calling is, fulfilling that calling in service to God and community is a part of our works.
By this token, it is possible, like the Good Samaritan, for a person without faith to have good works and therefore be on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Another way I interpret it is the example of a gardener. You can have a PhD in gardening. But if you don't have a garden, you haven't fulfilled your vocation. You are fallow ground. Similarly, you can be knowledgeable about the bible, but if your life is not blooming with good fruits, you have not fulfilled your purpose or God's.
Finally, this brings me back to my Grandma Luz. I asked her once what she wanted to be as an adult when she was a little girl. She responded that she just wanted to be a mother. She was, indeed, a mother to her children, her grandchildren, other people's children, and to the community. When she passed, the entire church was filled with people; and it wasn't a small church. That was something quite inspirational for me in demonstrating good works by somebody who truly accepted and fulfilled her vocation.
Look at this, a staunch Protestant and a Catholic agreeing on things 100% lol
Nah seriously man, what you said is bang on. We are supposed to be changed by God. So with that, different things become a priority. Like you said, if we are neglecting things God wants us to put first, we are failing.
I think it's nice to reflect on what you are doing but I don't think you are failing at all. After all, I don't think anyone is perfect but you can make changes to be the ideal person you want to be.
It's always me holding myself accountable. Must be from my years of being my own boss. Always trying to take ownership of it all.
The last Chapter and verse of Mathew clearly pins it down, 'go to the world and make disciples of all nations'. We miss out this great commission a lot as Christians. Thanks for this reminder
Amen to that. Big message that we can all do a bit more with.
Amen to all you said. !BBH
Appreciate you!
Hmm
You’re not failing
You’re feeding us with the words of God and I’ve been able to learn so many things from you
Keep doing that
I hold myself accountable. I just see things I know I can change and want to make it happen.
Without works, Faith is dead, true, and the Bible also says we're not saved by works, but the the gospel is also works that we should do in ways we must
Fruits are supposed to come from us. And we cant get fruits without putting in the effort.
You reap what you sow.
Everyone carries his/her own baggage of sin.
Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta, which mean: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
The existence of only one path which is the path of Truth.
not preaching anything here.
Posted using The BBH Project
You never failed, my friend
The fact that someone like me could learn the words of God from you with the little you share on here with us means a lot to me
Just keep trying your best
Appreciate the kind words, thanks for that!
Actually it is really necessary that we often reflect on how our time goes and what we have really done in this world
Accepting grace is easy. Following instructions not so much. 😀
@jongolson! @fiberfrau likes your content! so I just sent 1 BBH to your account on behalf of @fiberfrau. (3/20)
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