Not By Works

[benhur]

First relying on Jesus is scriptural. We rely that He will lead us and keep us on the right path.

Second,two types of judgement. One for salvation and one for heavenly rewards and treasures. Salvation is not a reard given for our good works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus alone. You will be judged as either building upon the Rock, Jesus or upon shifting sand, anything else...when it comes to eternal life.

Good world will either stand or be burnt in the fire...

Like a child who builds a house.,,will it stand or will it fall?

I have asked this question before, so I will ask you: What reward do we get in heaven for doing good works?

 

[tourist]

I have asked this question before, so I will ask you: What reward do we get in heaven for doing good works?

Maybe a complementary coffee at Starbucks.

 

[benhur]

Thank you Ariel , I found your post comforting...xox...

Hi Rosemaryx, I haven't heard from you for a while. Are you doing OK? We need your soothing words more often on the forum. So hope to hear from you more. I hope the Lord is taking good care of you.

 

[benhur]

I know the story.

Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

And again:

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.


Jesus has already lived and walked the Path of "Good Works" which God hath "Before ordained" that we should "Walk in them" and has proven them as un-burnable. These works have already been proven. We need look no further than Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my Faith. He is the "end (Intent) of the Law for Righteousness". Not man's religious traditions, not our own version of love, but the "Good Work's" created by God that we should walk in them.

This is my belief.

That is a good saying. Thank you.

 

[benhur]

In a way I agree but take into consideration the following Biblical statements. I am using logic here. Had it in college and used it in digital electronics.

We are saved by grace through faith.
Faith without works is dead (No works no faith)
Therefore works is a mandatory outcome of faith.
It doesn't save but is evidence to others of our faith.
Thus proving we are not wolves among the sheep.

Jesus said "By their fruits you shall know them." and then gave examples of good and bad fruit. We are to look at the fruit of others.

I believe good works are part of the salvation process.

If you continually resist the Lords promptings to help people that are in need (in whatever capacity) you are resisting the Lord, and your faith in the Lord is dying or dead, and if that is the end result of your earthly ministry, you will not have eternal life.

So good works is manifest when a persons faith is active and responsive to the prompting of the Lord to assist him in helping people in need. Good works that were created by God that we should walk in them (Studyman from the scriptures).

 

[Ariel82]

I have asked this question before, so I will ask you: What reward do we get in heaven for doing good works?

Priceless gems upon our crowns and memories and smiling faces of those you help and loved in this life.

 

[benhur]

Maybe a complementary coffee at Starbucks.

I have been told that the reward may take the form of a compliment, but I'm not sure it will give me a free coffee at Starbucks in heaven.

This compliment/reward you receive for your good works here on earth, does that do anything for you in heaven, other than getting an at-a-boy slap on the back? Otherwise if you do good works or you don't, are your positions in heaven just the same?

 

[BillG]

On an earlier post under this thread I explained my reasoning. But it's so far back on the thread that I'll explain again.

There was a time my husband and I needed help with a life situation and no one came to our aid. We have been going to that church for a long time, got married there, and my husband actually grew up there. The church has become so big (over 500) that unless you are there every time the doors are open, well your probably are forgotten about. And btw, no one has even called to see what has happened to us. That tells me a lot.

Anyway, yes we have fellowship with other believers and we know that God is with us.

I fully understand what you are saying.

I stopped going to church for about 15 years.
Won't fully go into the details but I had a ministry and not boasting it was fruitful.

At a period in my life I was let down badly

I was burned out. Had a young family, studying for my accountancy exams at the same time.

So I asked to take a step back.
Eventually accepted.
Then I asked the elders for input as I was spiritual knackered.
Was told no as I was no longer giving out in ministry.

I was left desolate.

So I stopped going to church.

I never lost my faith in Jesus but in the church I was in.

Not one person sought me out. Not even the elder who refused my request for help.
In fact when we wanted to dedicate my newborn daughter to God he actually said "I don't think you can stand on the stage and do that because you are not coming to church but your wife can"

By the time I had finished with him he relented.
Fair play to him he did offer help and was willing to walk but the damage was already done.

People told my wife that it was my fault the ministry that I led (that had failed) was my fault, even though someone else was leading it.

So as I said I understand where you are coming from and I would never make you feel bad or condemn you in your situation.

I'm note back at the same church, different leaders, the new one sought me out. Took him a few years to break through but I'm back in church.

In ministry, although different from the first one.

Now walking with damaged hurt and broken people.
Now enjoying fellowship in the church.

I pray that you find a church a physical one, a physical church where you can help people who have been hurt like you and you husband have.

I pray also that you have forgiven those that have hurt you. I had to.

If your ministry is here I pray God blesses it.

I understand sister, I truly do.

Your brother in Christ.

Bill

 

[dcontroversal]

guilt complex?

You see my questions....asked three and made a statement about Jesus and I am accusing.....sounds like when the Pharisees were cut to the heart by Stephens speech......

 

[dcontroversal]

Or those who are afraid of admitting which type of church they go to.

That too.....like they are embarassed or something....

 

[Rosemaryx]

Hi Rosemaryx, I haven't heard from you for a while. Are you doing OK? We need your soothing words more often on the forum. So hope to hear from you more. I hope the Lord is taking good care of you.

Hi Ben...I am good thank you...I like to sit in the background alot and read what is going on...I feel only to post when I am being led by the Holy Spirit to post , otherwise the flesh rears its ugly head and takes over ...The Lord is taking very good care of me , thank you for asking Ben , sent with love to you and God bless...xox...

 

[dcontroversal]

Or whether or not they go to church. I've admitted I don't any longer.

Amen...men and religion have way over complicated things.....Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name is very clear......

 

[dcontroversal]

I have admitted that I go to a non-denominational, conservative Evangelical type of Church. The Pastor is a Gifted speaker, and his 1 hour sermons NEVER get boring. Perhaps you were in a Church where the Pastor was gifted to Plow, and NOT gifted to preach. I would encourage you to try again:


Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
[SUP]25 [/SUP] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Amen.....we have prayer and study 1.5 hours straight and then prayer again........

 

[dcontroversal]

Us 'psuedo Christians' actually use Jesus way more that you do. What he says in the bible is actually important to us, and we actually attempt to do what he asks us to do. Plus we believe in him, have faith in him and trust in his word and his sacrifice, and we love his grace that he extends to all of us. Our theology is just much more well rounded and grounded in all of the bible.

You also have jokes.....and you embellish faith to the point of making the "plenteous in number" group......good luck in that day when you say "Lord, Lord, have we not done"

Based upon the vanilla cafe blend false gospel you peddle that is!

 

[dcontroversal]

You get a bit too emotional when arguing about issues at times.

An example is works.
Faith is what saves
Faith without works is dead.
Therefore works must exist for faith to be real.

You keep saying works not required for salvation.
No works, no faith. This is the issue making works required.

They are not required and or even part of the equation...when are you going to get thru your head that works are not required for salvation....are you to dense or eyes closed due to your religion to understand the following...

NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE (PAST TENSE) BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HAS HE SAVED US! (PAST TENSE)

Maybe ditch the religious creed put out by men and actually study and believe the bible inspired by God!

 

[BillG]

Hey people.

I am now 6 weeks without smoking.

Is that a good work?
If I died tonight does that mean I'm going to heaven?

I have been told in the past that I'm going to hell and smell like it on the way?

 

[Ariel82]

On an earlier post under this thread I explained my reasoning. But it's so far back on the thread that I'll explain again.

There was a time my husband and I needed help with a life situation and no one came to our aid. We have been going to that church for a long time, got married there, and my husband actually grew up there. The church has become so big (over 500) that unless you are there every time the doors are open, well your probably are forgotten about. And btw, no one has even called to see what has happened to us. That tells me a lot.

Anyway, yes we have fellowship with other believers and we know that God is with us.

Yeah big churches are hard..,i like small groups weekly meetings of no more than 15.

I attend a Methodist church and they have something called "Covenant discipleship groups" or christacre groups.

I love services for music and worship...maybe the preaching, but I really grow and learn and feel connect in bible studies and small groups which don't have to take place in a church,

.awesome that y'all still get fellowship

 

[Ariel82]

Hey people.

I am now 6 weeks without smoking.

Is that a good work?
If I died tonight does that mean I'm going to heaven?

I have been told in the past that I'm going to hell and smell like it on the way?

Congrats on not smoking...,,

It's a good work of God in your life.

You won't get into heaven if you base your salvation on not smoking.


God doesn't toss smokers in he'll because they smoke...smoking hurts your body but doesn't affect where your soul goes upon death of the body,

 

[dcontroversal]

Hey people.

I am now 6 weeks without smoking.

Is that a good work?
If I died tonight does that mean I'm going to heaven?

I have been told in the past that I'm going to hell and smell like it on the way?

Amen Bill....keep it up and since you trust Jesus by faith without religious hoop jumping or do not embellish salvation by faith with works or some law keeping drivel....no inferno section for you by your gospel!

 

[BillG]

Amen...men and religion have way over complicated things.....Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name is very clear......

I liked your post.

But from my understanding it has to do with church discipline.

But having said that I do feel that it goes beyond that.

So for me if I'm sat in my room on my own and praying.
It's me as he Jesus, two people.
And he hears my prayers.

What do you think?