Showing our Faith by our Works

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We are living in a time of faith-filled words only. Jesus walked His talk and expected His people to do the same on a daily basis. As Jesus' disciples, doing good works is the result of our faith in God.  

The apostle James provided an important principle to live by: What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (2:14, ESV). James expounded further in practical terms: 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 is that? (2:15-16, ESV). He, then, concluded the matter, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (2:17, ESV). David C. Grabbe explained it this way:

In God's mind, true faith or living faith is virtually synonymous with obedience and works. Faith and obedience are interchangeable, even though they are not specifically the same thing. This is just like the Bible's usage of mind, heart, and spirit—they are not specifically the same thing, yet they are so interconnected that they really cannot be separated.

There are two things we need to avoid. First, we must avoid having rhetorical faith where speaking faith-filled words but lacking any manifestation of good works, thereby produces nothing.  Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers described, “Faith must be embodied in acts: "faith, without acts of faith, is but a dream." "The two cannot be separated, for they are given in one by God to man, and from him go back in one to God.” What’s the biblical application? John (the Baptist) replied, "Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same" (Luke 3:11, NIV).  

The other kind to avoid is a dead faith. Having a dead faith is characterized as being a spiritual person having only faith but without manifestation of good works. Steven J. Cole explained, “Genuine saving faith manifests itself in good deeds. If a person claims to have faith but has no resulting works, his claim is suspect.” Jesus Himself provided the means to keep our faith alive and manifesting good works: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV).

Maintaining the impact of showing how real faith works must be felt within and outside the sphere of our influence. It begins by having real faith producing good works seen and felt by the unbelieving community. It is the kind of faith with a distinct purpose of glorifying God as they witness its application. Next, real faith operating through good works is attained when Bible-believing Christians becoming doers of God’s Word and in their actions testifies of God’s changing power in one’s life (James 1:22a). William Booth shared this excellent insight:

Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again -- until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.

Finally, real faith through good works is affirmed when the needs in the community of believers are met especially during tough times as a reminder of God’s presence working through His people (Titus 3:14).  Martin Luther explained, “The true, living faith, which the Holy Spirit instills into the heart, simply cannot be idle.”  

In summary, here are three things we need to remember:

1.      Real faith leads us to do good works, therefore, never miss an opportunity to do so.

2.      Real faith with good works is a testimony to God’s Word of meeting people’s needs, therefore, let our faith equals our generosity in doing good works.

3.      Real faith only impacts people’s lives when our good works become an application of what we preach about God’s provision, therefore, let’s practice what we preach.

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Applying Right Judgments

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Someone said, “The first reason why we should be slow and careful in the judgments we pass upon our fellow man is our too frequent ignorance of the facts. A fragment of anything is apt to be deceptive, and all that we mortals show to one another is but a fragment of our true selves. How little we know!” Most especially the Scriptures teach a valuable principle, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24, ESV).

In understanding what being judgmental is all about, Gregg Henriques, a Ph.D., stated, “The word judgmental in the dictionary there are generally two meanings, which help us sort out the issues. One has to do with making judgments; so, yes, at a basic semantic level, making judgments is being judgmental.”

There were two clear examples from the Scriptures about making wrong judgments. Unfortunately, they judged based on appearances. Eli looked on the outward appearance, and judging by outward appearance a drunken woman had come into the tabernacle and deserved to be put out and rebuked:

As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.14And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation” (1 Samuel 1:12-16, ESV).

Even the prophet Samuel when tasked by God when looking at Eliab saw him as qualified but rebuffed by God:

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” 7But the LORDsaid to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV).

From a modern context, Philip Yancey shared this insight on what not to do when making judgments:

Christians fail to communicate to others because we ignore basic principles in relationship. When we make condescending judgments or proclaim lofty words that don't translate into action, or simply speak without first listening, we fail to love - and thus deter a thirsty world from Living Water.

On the other hand, the right way of judging according to John W. Ritenbaugh includes four factors that are critical when we judge and correct others:[1]

1.     We must take care not to step beyond our rights as a fellow servant. Our rights extend only as far as being a brother, not the Master.

2.     We must correct for the right reasons. Our intent must be one of deep respect and love for the other.

3.     We must have a godly attitude. We must be humble, considering our own weaknesses and limitations.

4.     We must correct in kindness and gentleness, remembering that we are trying to heal a spiritual wound, not rub salt in it.

In the end, we must look at the Scriptures and follow clearly on what is consistently done and expected from God’s people at all times: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident” (Deuteronomy 1:16). In addition, “The LORD of Hosts says: 'Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another (Zechariah 7:9).

What’s the bottom-line? I like how John C. Maxwell summarized applying right judgments in this way: “Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it.” When we follow the Scriptural prescription and advice carefully from some experts, enduring relationships between friends, families, and church mates is firmly secured especially when right judgments are applied.

Let’s talk again!

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[1] Retrieved from https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PERSONAL/k/536/Judgment-Tolerance-Correction.htm.

Is God Good?

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The Scriptures provided an excellent answer to this question: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11, ESV)

It is an interesting observation from the Scriptures noting how the worst fathers still give the best gifts for their children. In 1 Samuel 2-3,  Eli was a father who became aware of his children’s sins and received notice from the Lord of confronting their sins. Eli was like any father who thought he was doing the very best for his children, gave opportunities and good things to them. Unfortunately, the cost of doing it resulted in them breaking away from God’s standard. Because Eli's children grew up sinning, without consequences, warning and guidance from their father, God dealt with them as He saw fit by putting an end to their sinful lifestyles. What Eli failed to do, God did!  Jerry Bridges explained God’s prerogative in this case:

God is completely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love. God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom, He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty, He has the power to bring it about.

God, our Father, provides the best gifts for His children who ask Him: “…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Because He is good, we need only to ask His help with boldness: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). John Calvin emphasized, “It is only the goodness of God sensibly experienced by us which opens our mouth to celebrate His praise.”

Because He is good, we must acknowledge His goodness in our lives with gratitude: Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting (Psalms 107:1). With this emphasis, John Ortberg explained:

The goal of prayer is to live all of my life and speak all of my words in the joyful awareness of the presence of God. Prayer becomes real when we grasp the reality and goodness of God's constant presence with 'the real me.' Jesus lived his everyday life in conscious awareness of his Father.

Because He is good, we are confident of our standing in Jesus and to receive His abundant blessings through Him: He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? (Romans 8:3).

Overall, the goodness of God revealed in the writings of the apostle James provides a guarantee, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). God's assurance of provisions and eternal blessing for His people is secured. Therefore, when God's people experience God's goodness, faith strengthens and expands greatly. Martin Luther described such kind of faith this way: “This is true faith, a living confidence in the goodness of God.”

Remember, speaking about God’s goodness and living it out are two different things. God's goodness becomes a reality at the least expected moments of life and being ready at all times is a must. Here’s how we can see God's goodness appreciated by examining an example of one of God's faithful missionaries in the life of Allan Gardiner.

Allen Gardiner experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service to the Savior. Despite his troubles, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, "I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God" (excerpt taken from the "The Lord is Good" Sermon by Jeffrey Richards).

What’s your story about the goodness of God? Would you declare the same perspective as Allan Gardiner did?

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The Holy Scriptures brings Victory

God the Father is the giver of Holy Scripture; God the Son is the theme of Holy Scripture; and God the Spirit is the author, authenticator, and interpreter of Holy Scripture. ~J. I. Packer

After 4,000 years of human history, no other book is like the Holy Scriptures in its supremacy over all books written in the past, present and the future. And although the Holy Scriptures experienced a lot of attacks and threats, yet it withstood everything in its path. Now, more than ever, many are turning to its power and promises for receiving hope, comfort and strength in their lives. How powerful is the Holy Scriptures? Let’s look at how Jesus utilized the Holy Scriptures during overcoming Satan’s temptation. Matthew 4:3-4 described, “And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” One thing is certain; the Devil tempted Jesus to go against God’s word. Bob Jones, Sr. shared, “The Devil did not tempt Adam and Eve to steal, to lie, to kill, to commit adultery; he tempted them to live independent of God.” Jesus neutralized the temptation of the Devil by speaking God’s word and spoke with authority (Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 6:16, 13). He knew what to say and where to stand His ground and as a result, overcame his temptation.

God’s promise of victory through His Word is assured because God’s word never fails in fulfilling its intended purpose: So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Next, God’s word is reinforced by the power of God’s Spirit in empowering His people: Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6). Next, God’s word assured us of eternal life when we put our faith in Jesus: The promise of eternal life when we hear His words: Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).

Jesus knew Satan’s strategy precisely because Satan used it already at the Garden of Eden with Eve (Genesis 3). This time, Jesus didn’t fall for his trap. Instead, He stood on God’s Word, and it paid off. In His encounter with Satan, Jesus provided everyone who believes in Him a pattern of defeating temptations as well. Dwight L. Moody emphasized, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.”

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The Holy Scriptures provides practical applications for securing victory through the Scriptures on a daily basis. First, continually study God’s truth in safeguarding our freedom in Christ: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). Next, courageously fulfill God’s agenda for your life no matter what we face: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Finally, confidently live consecrated lives as we await Jesus’ return: “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11).

One thing is sure when our lives become fully anchored in God’s Word; we equip ourselves against all temptations and attack of the enemy of our faith. If Jesus did it and with His help, so can we!

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God’s Amazing Grace

The late D. Martin Lloyd-Jones provided an excellent picture of what grace is all about: “There is no

more wonderful word than 'grace.' It means unmerited favour or kindness shown to one who is utterly undeserving.” While the apostle Paul expressed grace this way: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NIV). No matter how one looks at it, God’s grace is a fact we need to accept that is anchored only in the personhood of Jesus Christ. He alone carried grace for humanity’s sake. During His lifetime, Jesus manifested it, and those who received it benefitted greatly from it. But most importantly, in His death and resurrection, He made it available to everyone who believes in Him. Unfortunately, there are those who also reject grace without considering the eternal impact of being separated from God.

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Throughout the pages of the Scriptures, illustrations of God’s amazing grace are continually revealed. Here are two examples of God's amazing grace for our learning and reminder: Adam and Eve clothed by God with the skin of an animal before leaving the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:21). The woman caught in adultery received grace from Jesus’ intervention: Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:10-11, NIV). 

In these settings, while God extends grace, human beings must be willing to receive the favour offered by God. God provides grace, but humanity must accept it for its maximum benefit in one’s life. It is not just about receiving grace but living out God’s amazing grace on a daily basis.  

First, we begin by communicating God’s amazing grace to others in need through personal witnessing. Robert Murray M'Cheyne expressed it this way: There cannot be a secret Christian. Grace is like ointment hid in the hand; it betrayeth itself. If you truly feel the sweetness of the cross of Christ, you will be constrained to confess Christ before men.

Next, let’s do it by celebrating God’s amazing grace with others in the community of faith through personal testimony. Francis Chan explained how it works: We should be so joyful from God's grace that others would respond by saying, 'I wish I had your God. 

Lastly, it is by extolling God’s amazing grace as a witness to the unbelieving world through personal consecration. Andy Murray described it this way; “Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power.”

As a personal example, being a father of two beautiful young adults, extending grace is a constant exercise in releasing it on a daily basis. At times, frustration and impatience occur. Nevertheless, withholding grace is never an option. What prompted me to extend grace? It is love and hope for a better tomorrow for my children. Here’s the gist: parenting with grace is showering them with much love and hope. 

Grace without these two ingredients is an exercise in futility. Similarly, God’s grace also includes love and hope for a better tomorrow. He wants the best for everyone who accepts His amazing grace. If you receive it, things happen for the better, but if you reject it, you’ll miss what could have been the best time of your life. May you receive His grace when He offers it to you today.

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