WHO ARE THE MEN GOD CAN USE IN THIS GREAT HOUR OF NEED? 16b. MEN WHO ARE ZEALOUS FOR DOING GOOD WORKS
Men, our greatest example of good works is Jesus Christ, whose life on this earth was full of good works. Jesus said in John 10:32, "Many good works have I showed you from my Father." If it was good enough for Jesus Christ to live a life full of good works, it should also be good enough for who say we are His followers.
Acts 10:38 says, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Jesus "went about doing good." Sometimes we just "go about."
Why is the church is reticent when it comes to preaching good works? Many evangelical churches avoid the subject like the plague which they do to their own detriment.
The neglect of the doctrine of "good works" has come about by the danger of churches believing that we can be saved by good works, which we cannot. However, justifying faith, which is not evidenced by a life of good works, is dead.
James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." This means that true saving faith is manifest by good works. The truth is that just as an over emphasis on good works is dangerous doctrine, so is an over emphasis on saving faith without being substantiated by a changed life full of good works. This has possibly led many people in today's church to believing they are saved because they said a sinner's prayer.
But, we must ask ourselves, "Where is the evidence?" And "What is the evidence?"
Be encouraged. Colin.
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Acts 10:38 says, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Jesus "went about doing good." Sometimes we just "go about."
Why is the church is reticent when it comes to preaching good works? Many evangelical churches avoid the subject like the plague which they do to their own detriment.
The neglect of the doctrine of "good works" has come about by the danger of churches believing that we can be saved by good works, which we cannot. However, justifying faith, which is not evidenced by a life of good works, is dead.
James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." This means that true saving faith is manifest by good works. The truth is that just as an over emphasis on good works is dangerous doctrine, so is an over emphasis on saving faith without being substantiated by a changed life full of good works. This has possibly led many people in today's church to believing they are saved because they said a sinner's prayer.
But, we must ask ourselves, "Where is the evidence?" And "What is the evidence?"
Be encouraged. Colin.
Read More