Is it OK to work for the Lord?

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TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,555
1,057
113
Australia
#61
When posters mention working for the Lord, the reaction is often that works won’t save, and we are not to be self-righteous.

There are scriptures that back these people up, but many scriptures tell us that working for the Lord is good.

Eph. 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Psalms 119:18 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The entire beautiful 119th Psalm praises the law that many posters speak against.

How should we consider works?
Don't listen to people, Listen to the Lord, The Lord will bless you in ways you never imagined when you give your life to Him. Don't think of it as works or gaining credit, Think of it as an honest love response, Because He gave everything for you. Your natural response is to love Him in return and love is more then a word or a feeling.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Joh_14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 1Jn_5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
The great commission was to GO.....
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.


Some of these things may seem like works, but if your filled with Good news and Gods love, and the Holy Spirit it will come out as a love response.
Don't worry about being called a legalist or someone saying your trying to work your way to heaven, God knows your heart and He is the final judge.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,424
113
#62
Don't listen to people, Listen to the Lord, The Lord will bless you in ways you never imagined when you give your life to Him. Don't think of it as works or gaining credit, Think of it as an honest love response, Because He gave everything for you. Your natural response is to love Him in return and love is more then a word or a feeling.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Joh_14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 1Jn_5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
The great commission was to GO.....
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.


Some of these things may seem like works, but if your filled with Good news and Gods love, and the Holy Spirit it will come out as a love response.
Don't worry about being called a legalist or someone saying your trying to work your way to heaven, God knows your heart and He is the final judge.
You bring tears of relief to my eyes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

May the Lord send you all blessings, as you have blessed me.
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,555
1,057
113
Australia
#63
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

there isn't much difference, the law is now in our hearts and minds. The laws that Moses wrote were from God not made up by Moses. But they were given because of sin (Gal_3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come). Because Jesus is the fulfillment of most of these laws we no longer need to keep them the way Israel did before the cross. The ceremonial laws were just a shadow of what Jesus would do. These laws are fulfilled in Jesus. If i continue to practice these laws i don't believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of them. But the laws that define sin and were written on stone by God are not shadows but a way for God to define sin so we can avoid it. Love for God and Love for our neighbor is a summery of the 10. When these laws of love are written in our hearts the fruit is love. Jesus didn't steal, Jesus didn't covert, Jesus was the Lord of the Sabbath. He kept them all and fulfilled the old covenant laws so we are free from them.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,424
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#64
Heb 8:8

The ceremonial laws were just a shadow of what Jesus would do. These laws are fulfilled in Jesus. If i continue to practice these laws i don't believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of them. But the laws that define sin and were written on stone by God are not shadows but a way for God to define sin so we can avoid it. Love for God and Love for our neighbor is a summery of the 10. When these laws of love are written in our hearts the fruit is love. J
n n The ten commandments were given by our eternal God, but they could be obeyed without love, and a law obeyed without love is to disobey that law. The new covenant put the law into our hearts, and our hearts are to be filled with God's love. The law didn't change, what changed was the way it is given.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#65
n n The ten commandments were given by our eternal God, but they could be obeyed without love, and a law obeyed without love is to disobey that law. The new covenant put the law into our hearts, and our hearts are to be filled with God's love. The law didn't change, what changed was the way it is given.
you still can’t obey the law. in fact you already failed, apart from grace that law condemns you where you stand,

one day you will realize how lawless you really are, and Fall on your knees looking up to Christ, in shame. Like everyone else will

i pray you stop looking at how good you think you are. And look to love and serve others, because that’s the only way you will begin to look like Christ,
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,078
4,904
113
#66
I haven't read this entire thing, I hope it gets better as it progresses. I got as far as "the old testament law is not balanced with the law of Christ", as if Christ and the Father are not one. Then it went on to that Christ fulfilled the law, Christ did not fulfill all that was spoken of him? Oh My. In a way Christ fulfilled the law in that through Christ we are forgiven of breaking the law, but other than that how in the world could Christ have fulfilled the law so the law is not needed any more? That wipes out the entire 119th Psalm, pages of scripture.

Christ told us He didn't come to get rid of anything, not a jot of the law.

The Lord doesn't tell us one thing in Genesis and another completely in the new testament, scripture is truth from beginning to end. The law was given to us via rules in stone in the old testament, the very same law was not changed under the new covenant, it was given to us in our hearts. It was possible to obey the letter of the law as it was in the old testament and disobey the true law as the Pharisee disobeyed the law of the Sabbath by withholding love. Under the new covenant the law is given (the SAME law, but in our hearts so we know it must be with love.
brother confront the scriptures

Moses teaches one thing and Jesus teaches another contrary thing

how can you obey Moses who says “ divorce is perfectly fine for any reason of your not happy with your wife , simply divorce her and remarry “

and also obey Jesus who taught when asked about Moses teaching “ Moses taught you that because your hearts were hard from sin , but I tell you “ if anyone divorces his wife for any reason other than fornications , he commits adultery and causes her if she remarried to Commit adultery “

I think you are in denial those two things have no balance you either have to believe what Jesus said is the truth of what Moses Said is the truth

so could I ask you if a person isn’t happy with thier spouse should they

a. Obey Moses and his law and feel free to divorce and remarry ?

b. Believe what Jesus said about marriage and understand there’s only 1 acceptable reason to get divorced and if we divorce for any other reason and remarry we are committing adultery , and they are also ?

How do those things balance ? aren’t they actually totally different commands about the same subject ? Marriage ?

so since you are balancing both Covenants what’s Gods true law about marriage and divorce ? Is it what Moses said ? What Jesus said ? Or something that’s a mix of the two contrary points ?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,078
4,904
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#67
n n The ten commandments were given by our eternal God, but they could be obeyed without love, and a law obeyed without love is to disobey that law. The new covenant put the law into our hearts, and our hearts are to be filled with God's love. The law didn't change, what changed was the way it is given.
“Thou shalt not kill “


Is that a work to be obeyed by Gods children ? Or a warning to murderers what not to do ?

“ Thou shalt not “

is for these folks

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:9-10KJV‬‬

Christians can’t be those people brother that’s who the law is for you tell those folks “what they better not do or they will die “ We have to repent of trying to serve God by what we don’t do and start serving God by the spirit and fruits of the gospel .

repentance is what stopping sin is about ....it’s not the law of God for his Chosen people , it’s a law for the rebellious against God telling them what not to do we have to repent of the mind the law created because it’s voice constantly whispers to the bearer of the law

“ you are a sinner just doing the things you want to do is death , you must not do those things you desire inside to do , you must resist doing what you yourself want to do or you will die”

it says “ you are not good enough as you are , you are wrong and all
Of you shall turn against me and die “ it’s a provocation of sinners an accusation against them the one who sins little believes himself different from the daily sinner

“But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the law is one thing you break one commandment one time your as guilty as everyone else . The gospel is our law it’s hard for some to acknowledge it but what Moses said cant save anyone not killing or committing adultery isn’t the way to serve God We have to look at Christ for that part

can’t mix Moses and Jesus it’s not the design it’s 100 percent Jesus word
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,424
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#68
brother confront the scriptures

Moses teaches one thing and Jesus teaches another contrary thing

how can you obey Moses who says “ divorce is perfectly fine for any reason of your not happy with your wife , simply divorce her and remarry “

and also obey Jesus who taught when asked about Moses teaching “ Moses taught you that because your hearts were hard from sin , but I tell you “ if anyone divorces his wife for any reason other than fornications , he commits adultery and causes her if she remarried to Commit adultery “

I think you are in denial those two things have no balance you either have to believe what Jesus said is the truth of what Moses Said is the truth

so could I ask you if a person isn’t happy with thier spouse should they

a. Obey Moses and his law and feel free to divorce and remarry ?

b. Believe what Jesus said about marriage and understand there’s only 1 acceptable reason to get divorced and if we divorce for any other reason and remarry we are committing adultery , and they are also ?

How do those things balance ? aren’t they actually totally different commands about the same subject ? Marriage ?

so since you are balancing both Covenants what’s Gods true law about marriage and divorce ? Is it what Moses said ? What Jesus said ? Or something that’s a mix of the two contrary points ?
Either we have a God who is eternal, who created us and our world and we can depend on, or we have one who we cannot depend on to tell us the truth, who changes and cannot be depended on. In that case, anything can happen to us, we are in great danger.

Moses spoke scripture and gave us scripture, Jesus spoke for the Father. If you believe they disagree, it goes back to that because they spoke scripture, then scripture disagrees and you cannot trust how you were created, even for scripture speaks truth of God.

Scripture tells us about this disagreement you see. In Matt. 19:8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,078
4,904
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#69
Either we have a God who is eternal, who created us and our world and we can depend on, or we have one who we cannot depend on to tell us the truth, who changes and cannot be depended on. In that case, anything can happen to us, we are in great danger.

Moses spoke scripture and gave us scripture, Jesus spoke for the Father. If you believe they disagree, it goes back to that because they spoke scripture, then scripture disagrees and you cannot trust how you were created, even for scripture speaks truth of God.

Scripture tells us about this disagreement you see. In Matt. 19:8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
it’s not hard to understand they are contrary it’s only when someone refuses to accept it that it becomes an issue

you are attempting to mix two covenants together and they don’t belong together they are not according to one another


honestly I think you should really consider what Paul is explaining right here

“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament;

which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:14-15‬ ‭

I think a lot of Christians are still looking through a dark veil and thier minds are still blinded that they can’t see the plain simple truth .

the law and all its works are a curse , it is not of faith and it cannot history anyone facts

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭

three simple facts not hard to understand not a mystery but it’s revelation placed before you regarding the law here’s more

the laws purpose is to hold all people guilty before God because it only gives the knowledge of sin

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:19-20‬ ‭

It of course continues explaining all the things you are refusing to acknowledge like who was the law for ?

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭

seems again we have different views the law is not Gods truth the gospel is the truth of God . The law is how lost sinners hear God it’s like looking through a dirty veil and not being able to see anything

so if a Christian wants to be under a curse , held guilty before God , not be justified before God , and wants to commit to observing and obeying the letter of Moses law until they die for thier sins the law is for them

if they want to be baptized into Christ and be dead to the law and live they want to believe the gospel and not what Moses taught to the sinners condemned by law
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,229
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#70
Are there not a myriad of folks who claim to believe and obey, yet they chide those who hear the Word and do their best to live by it?

These folks attempt to correct the obedient by insisting their own rules and regulations should be obeyed, and not those of our Father.
All who believe do their best to obey the Father and not men, and this is what a believer of Jesus-Yeshua should be, just as was He when He cam to save us.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,713
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#71
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
...xox...
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,510
113
Anaheim, Cali.
#72
When posters mention working for the Lord, the reaction is often that works won’t save, and we are not to be self-righteous.

There are scriptures that back these people up, but many scriptures tell us that working for the Lord is good.

Eph. 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Psalms 119:18 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The entire beautiful 119th Psalm praises the law that many posters speak against.

How should we consider works?
Working for the Lord does not equal working for Salvation. We can gratefully work for God, that's our free will. We cannot earn salvation. That's his to give from his grace for free!
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,424
113
#73
it’s not hard to understand they are contrary it’s only when someone refuses to accept it that it becomes an issue

you are attempting to mix two covenants together and they don’t belong together they are not according to one another


honestly I think you should really consider what Paul is explaining right here

“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament;

which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:14-15‬ ‭

I think a lot of Christians are still looking through a dark veil and thier minds are still blinded that they can’t see the plain simple truth .

the law and all its works are a curse , it is not of faith and it cannot history anyone facts

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭

three simple facts not hard to understand not a mystery but it’s revelation placed before you regarding the law here’s more

the laws purpose is to hold all people guilty before God because it only gives the knowledge of sin

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:19-20‬ ‭

It of course continues explaining all the things you are refusing to acknowledge like who was the law for ?

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭

seems again we have different views the law is not Gods truth the gospel is the truth of God . The law is how lost sinners hear God it’s like looking through a dirty veil and not being able to see anything

so if a Christian wants to be under a curse , held guilty before God , not be justified before God , and wants to commit to observing and obeying the letter of Moses law until they die for thier sins the law is for them

if they want to be baptized into Christ and be dead to the law and live they want to believe the gospel and not what Moses taught to the sinners condemned by law
I agree that we are to listen to and understand how God is explained to us through the old testament as well as the new testament. I think it is necessary to see God in all the old testament tells us, including the 613 laws that God is so scolded for.

I think Moses taught Christ and that Moses was speaking the words the Lord gave Him to speak, I think we are to listen. Moses told of the blessings God gives us in our earthly life, Moses never included eternal life in those blessings as Christ promised. We are to listen.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#74
. I think it is necessary to see God in all the old testament tells us, including the 613 laws that God is so scolded for. n.
God only gave Israel 10 commandments. Israel invented the rest from a hard heart toward a God that only loved them.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,229
6,526
113
#75
As concerning working for the Lord, what exactly can any man do for the Lord other than give Him thanks , praise and glory?

As for doing good works, no good work is devised by flesh. We may avail ourselves to be vessels of God, and He will work His Works through us. So, if this is what you are saying, yes, but He is using us as His servants for His desired works.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,821
25,997
113
#76
I think Moses taught Christ
:oops:o_O:oops:

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? Isaiah 40:13

Answer: nobody. Not even Moses. How do you come up with these un-Biblical ideas?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#77
:oops:o_O:oops:

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? Isaiah 40:13

Answer: nobody. Not even Moses. How do you come up with these un-Biblical ideas?
Wow how did I miss that

that explains alot
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,078
4,904
113
#78
Are there not a myriad of folks who claim to believe and obey, yet they chide those who hear the Word and do their best to live by it?

These folks attempt to correct the obedient by insisting their own rules and regulations should be obeyed, and not those of our Father.
All who believe do their best to obey the Father and not men, and this is what a believer of Jesus-Yeshua should be, just as was He when He cam to save us.
who in the Bible was sent from heaven to earth to speak the words of God ?
The question is is there two testaments ? And which one is for Christians ?

it’s odd to me but some cant accept the contrary nature of what Moses commanded then and what Jesus taught now. It’s not only slightly different but is contrary in its nature

Moses taught this law an offender is given equal punishment without pity or room to repent

“And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭21:23-25‬ ‭

that is thier law for dealing with violence. This then is what Jesus Christ has to say about that law


“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:38-39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

those two things are contrary one cannot repay equallly evil for evil , and at the same time not take revenge and turn the other cheek .

the question even though it shouldn’t be a question is who spoke the words of God for eternal salvation ? Those are the words we are meant to walk toward and walk in and keep and obey .

it’s a serious road block to not understand the difference in the law of
Moses and the gospel .

I’ve spoken to Christians in my life who believe you to believe in Jesus then you go follow the law of
Moses and That is not possible , it is also a curse and subversion of a soul who needs to turn to Christ and follow the spirit that spoke clearly in the gospel

it’s imperative that people understand there are two seperate covenants with seperate everything priests , people , a city , temple , promises and yes indeed a seperate law from that of the Old Testament

The law of
Moses is not Christian doctrine salvation is about believing the gospel and following where the word of God leads us .
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,229
6,526
113
#79
Jesus-Yeshua came to fulfill not to destroy the law. He teaches not to teach against even the least of the laws.

Yet, when He saw how some applied the law He chided them in saying unless the law is applied with mercy, justice and faith, it is not properly understood, or employed.

The law was given by Moses from God however the people were blinded to it by that veil of Moses hiding the glory of God which shone from HIs face.

Many peole did not have that veil impeding their understanding and vision. One in particular was King David..Melech David/ or in English King Beloved. He, though known to have sinned, and even had blood guilt in the sight of God, was given to write many of the Psalms.

Psalm 32 is an amazing demonstration of the knowledge of grace to those who believe, even though our Lord had not yet come, for all the OT Scriptures point to Him.

It seems most today who claim to believe yet have been blinded to all of this by that same veil, not realizing most of the laws given to Moses are purposely become obsolete, for they are no longer necessary.

Rather than to admit they do not understand, they turn to just about any new sets of regs and laws which suit their fancy, ignoring the teaching of Jesus on the law under grace of course.

We are not bound by the law, yet it is now on our hearts, and if and when we sin, and repent we are forgiven, because of Jesus, our blessed Savior. He is always Good. He epitomizes Good.

Oh that people would turn from the whims and ideas of theologians and learn by the true Teacher. Of course in these times there will be fewer of understanding, but they are here to who the way to many.

The Body of Yeshua is the Assembly, and the Head and Teacher i Jesus-Yeshua, All blessings in His holy name............. j
 

Lisamn

Active member
Dec 29, 2020
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#80
No matter who was my employer or what my position was I always considered God to be my employer.
Colossians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.
‭‭​