Faith, Words, and Actions

 

Der breite und der schmale Weg ("the broad and the narrow road"), from 1866

By Charlotte Reihlen (Idee); Paul Beckmann (Ausführung)  Public Domain

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)

Matthew Henry's Commentary addresses these verses:

There may be a seeming importunity in prayer, Lord, Lord: but if inward impressions be not answerable to outward expressions, we are but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. This is not to take us off from saying, Lord, Lord; from praying, and being earnest in prayer, from professing Christ's name, and being bold in professing it, but from resting in these, in the form of godliness, without the power.  ...  That it is necessary to our happiness that we do the will of Christ, which is indeed the will of his Father in heaven. The will of God, as Christ's Father, is his will in the gospel, for there he is made known, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: and in him our Father. Now this is his will, that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another.

What brings this to my mind is a mother's words about her son. "I don't agree with his life choices, but he's a good man. He does a lot of good in his community and has worked to make life better for others." I know she believes in Jesus as her Lord and savior.  I know she has shown her beliefs in her actions - attending worship services, actively learning through the Bible in Sunday School, serving others with meals, befriending the grieving family members at a funeral. Her actions speak loudly of her beliefs - just as her son's remain silent.

Even saying "Lord, Lord!" remain simply words if there are no actions accompanying them.  I started this with Jesus' own words about heaven, but James knew the lesson well and shared it:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:14-20 KJV)

Remember, as you begin to think that good works alone can offer eternal life with God:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:16-21 KJV)

Faith will bring forth fruit as good deeds - not to honor the man, though secular honor may well come. The good works must be done in God's name, for His glorification. When good deeds are done, they will be appreciated and the individual acclaimed. Without those good deeds being attributed to God's teachings and His will, those deads are dead with out faith, just as faith is dead without good deeds.

It came to me that this is a "meal" blog. Usually I share the gospel - the good news that God wants us to be with Him eternally and His plan is working. That's a "milk" blog - asking that people get to know God. Once you place your faith in Him, you should begin learning what He has in mind for your own ministry. We all have one. Part of toay, we'll look at the difference between "meat" and "milk" messages:

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV)

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV)

We all need the "milk" messsages, the wonderment of discovery, the introduction to God's love and His plan for the world. Then we must put our belief into words, telling others what a tiny grain of faith has brought us. We can share that easily - but detractors will show up discounting your words and your faith. That's where what you learn as "meat" will give you answers to their questions as well as strength to continue in serious discussions.

What's your menu at the moment. Milk? Or are you ready to look deeper into scripture and find the "meat" in the Bible to grow in strength? I would appreciate any comments, but there's no need to answer the questions I ask. Letting God know your answers may be life changing.