EXCUSES

The Ozone in the air flattened my tires.

I had to attend the funeral of my wife’s cousin’s pet           
because I was a pallbearer.

The doctor said I needed more Vitamin D, so I’m heading to the beach.

I have to get either the vet or a mechanic because my cat is stuck inside the dashboard of my car.

What crazy excuse have you considered in not doing what the Lord has asked of you?  Perhaps one like this, “It’s not that I’m not willing Lord; it’s just not good timing.  I’m not saying, “NO”, just not right now.”

In Matthew 4:18-22 we have the account of Jesus calling His first disciples.  In verse 20 & 22 it says they “immediately” left what they were doing and followed Jesus.  “At once” or “Immediately” that is the response and commitment Jesus is looking for.

Some treat Jesus like the diet they keep meaning to start on or like the workout program they keep meaning to begin.  When Jesus gives an invitation there is an RSVP date, “TODAY”. 

How long have you been telling Jesus “tomorrow” or “soon”?   The most dangerous thing about saying you will follow Jesus tomorrow is that tomorrow may never come.  The longer you put Him off, the more likely it is that following him will never happen. 

“EXCUSES ARE THE NAILS USED TO BUILD A HOUSE OF FAILURE”  -Source Unknown.

Saying “tomorrow” to Jesus is like hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock.  The more you hit the “snooze” button the harder it is for you to hear and respond the next time.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”  -Hebrews 3:15

Jesus says, “Follow Me”.   Will you do so immediately…or what crazy excuse are you going to give to put Him off again?

FAITH ONLY? WHAT ABOUT WORKS?

 

     So-called main stream evangelical Christianity has and continues to preach that we are “saved by grace not by works.” The Scripture passage often cited is Ephesians 2:9 which reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Using this verse alone we can see that there is a natural and logical conclusion for the underlying supposition that we are saved by “faith only.” However, taking a single verse out of context is not how to properly interpret the original intent and meaning of the Scriptures. Let’s read on in Ephesians and look at verse 10:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“

         Let’s reconcile these two verses as they were originally intended to be understood. It is true that without God’s grace we would still be in our sins. Accepting God’s grace is the first step that must take place. We cannot earn our righteousness, however, through this grace should come a natural outpouring of “good works” which we were created to do in Christ. Otherwise, we can run the risk of losing the grace we were offered.  Jesus himself on multiple occasions alluded to the fact that we will be judged by our works. For example, in Matthew 25 the parable of the Talents shows the importance of using our gifts for the Lord and the dangers of doing nothing. Jesus immediately follows this parable with an explanation of the final judgment in verses 31-46 where he clearly indicates that we will be judged by our service to him and sharing his love with others in a tangible way. Those who have not demonstrated “good works” of gratitude for the grace they have been offered will not receive an eternal reward.  “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46)

           The grace God has offered us is not by our works but by the works of Jesus going to the cross in our place. We do not deserve it. We could never earn the grace offered. However, the fruit of our lives or “good works” are in gratitude for that grace and will determine if we keep what God has offered.

          In James 2:14-26 we see some additional insight regarding the relationship between our faith and our works of service.  What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? The implied answer to this questions is, “no” faith alone cannot save.  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,  and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good^[a] is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

          What good is a dead faith?  Can it save?  Again the answer, “No.”  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. The matter of our righteousness and salvation is not a matter of one or the other but of both faith and works.  You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!  Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

          Perhaps the most misunderstood and misused verse in the New Testament is John 3:16 where so many preach that we only need to believe and nothing else. The verse in James 2:19 printed above shatters the popular idea that John 3:16 is the whole of the salvation process. Even demons believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God but it does them no good. Belief alone is not sufficient to become righteous and saved. Belief is a critical first step but it is not the only step needed to become righteous. There is more!  A couple of verses later we see that works are mentioned as part of the process. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:20-21)

          Let’s return to James 2:21-26 as we consider further the relationship of faith and works in the salvation process. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James uses the Old Testament example of Abraham to show the relationship of works to our faith. Abraham believed God and was righteous in his eyes because his works demonstrated the reality of his faith.

 

                                             

             Regarding the popular “faith only” doctrine that permeates much of so-called Christianity there is only one verse in the entire New Testament that has the phrase “faith only” or “faith alone” and it is this verse in James 2:24 yet it says “…that a person is justified by works and not faith alone.”  Did you catch that, “not faith alone”?

           We are saved by the wonderful grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot earn it or deserve it. Without His mercy and grace we are still in our sins and without hope. God offers each of us a wonderful gift but as with any gift we receive, it is only ours as long as we take care of it and keep it. It can be lost!  Producing fruit worthy of our repentance and doing good works of gratitude for what Jesus has graciously done for us is what keeps us in good standing and righteous in God’s eyes.  Fan into flame the tremendous grace God has given you with works of gratitude so that when you face God you may hear those wonderful words, “Well done good and faithful servant”. 

 

All scripture verses are from the ESV Bible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL WORSHIP IS...(Part Three)

 

REAL WORSHIP IS SEPARATED

 In Genesis 22 Abraham traveled to take his son Isaac to worship God at a designated place.  The Lord had asked him to sacrifice his son.  For three days Abraham traveled with his son and some servants.  Upon nearing the site of worship he said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." (Genesis 22:5 ESV)  

Abraham had already demonstrated his submissive and steadfast character to the Lord and now as he arrives near the mountain the Lord designated he separate himself from every worldly care as best he can.  Abraham came ready to worship knowing that sacrifice was involved.  

Real worship strives to shut out the world or separate oneself from worldly concerns or distractions.  When our worship is controlled by the world it has become polluted or contaminated.  You've heard the popular phrase, "Be in the world but not of the world."  Look what God says in James 4:4; "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?"(ESV) God first, and then other things should be our priority.  The Lord's church is to be a community of believers who strive to worship God together; not show off the latest fashion, gossip or simply hang out with friends.  Real worship can only be achieved if one truly comes prepared to worship and follows through by focusing on the real reason for being in the place of worship.  

Do you actually make preparations to worship?

How well do you separate the world from your worship? 

What is your true focus when it comes to worship?

REAL WORSHIP IS...(Part One)

 

REAL WORSHIP IS SUBMISSIVE

In Genesis 22:1-14 we see where Abraham was instructed by God to go and sacrifice his son Isaac in worship to Him.  Abraham immediately makes all preparations to obey God.  Abraham's actions show us the true characteristics of authentic worship.

God's command was a very hard one to understand but it was very clear (vs.1).  Abraham was to go off to a designated place to worship by sacrificing his son.

In verse 2 Abraham immediately submitted to God's instruction without making any excuses.  We see that a true heart for God is demonstrated by obedience.  Our worship is proved real when we do what God instructs us to do.  

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  -Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

Real worship is not just something we do, it is actually who we are!  Everything we do is to be a submissive act of  worship.  What submissive act of worship do you need to do today?

Next week:  "Real Worship Is Steadfast"