John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
...so the "Works" means either being resurrected unto life or unto damnation... Works are very important.
Some try to say that works are of no value... And they reference of verse that they do not understand.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Let me explain...
In the days of Isaiah clothing was not mass produced. Every garment was hand made and took days and sometimes months (depending on the garment) to make. If ever some piece of garment was worn out so much that it could not be mended... it would be considered a rag... and it would only be considered a rag if it could be used for nothing else... but the purpose of such a seemingly worthless thing became a beautiful thing. ... it was used to clean things.
our sins make us dirty... and our good works are evidence of Christ getting to our hearts...
If you were standing next to a fresh pile of rags (possible works)... and you were covered in muck... it's using those possible works (righteously) ... "righteousnesses"... that makes the rags filthy... as you use them to clean yourself.
.
Now... there are no number of rags that can make us entirely clean... it's like trying to use rags to clean away motor oil... even if you can't see it... you can smell it. It's there. You'll need soap.
Jesus is the soap... but better.
Just pray about it... apply this new thinking as you read Isaiah 64.. ponder and pray... and then reply. If you don't... it means there is a fresh rag just waiting to clean that gob of pride.
...after all... saying "works mean nothing... it's all about grace" and then saying "faith without works is dead"... is contradictory.
Us making use of those rags to clean ourselves says, "yes... I know I need Jesus, but I won't just sit back and be a sloth while he washes me... I'll help Him clean me."
This isn't an argument or debate.. this is my testimony.
Please know I am not snide in saying this... I simply love you enough to say what someone should have said a long time ago.
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
...so the "Works" means either being resurrected unto life or unto damnation... Works are very important.
Some try to say that works are of no value... And they reference of verse that they do not understand.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Let me explain...
In the days of Isaiah clothing was not mass produced. Every garment was hand made and took days and sometimes months (depending on the garment) to make. If ever some piece of garment was worn out so much that it could not be mended... it would be considered a rag... and it would only be considered a rag if it could be used for nothing else... but the purpose of such a seemingly worthless thing became a beautiful thing. ... it was used to clean things.
our sins make us dirty... and our good works are evidence of Christ getting to our hearts...
If you were standing next to a fresh pile of rags (possible works)... and you were covered in muck... it's using those possible works (righteously) ... "righteousnesses"... that makes the rags filthy... as you use them to clean yourself.
.
Now... there are no number of rags that can make us entirely clean... it's like trying to use rags to clean away motor oil... even if you can't see it... you can smell it. It's there. You'll need soap.
Jesus is the soap... but better.
Just pray about it... apply this new thinking as you read Isaiah 64.. ponder and pray... and then reply. If you don't... it means there is a fresh rag just waiting to clean that gob of pride.
...after all... saying "works mean nothing... it's all about grace" and then saying "faith without works is dead"... is contradictory.
Us making use of those rags to clean ourselves says, "yes... I know I need Jesus, but I won't just sit back and be a sloth while he washes me... I'll help Him clean me."
This isn't an argument or debate.. this is my testimony.
Please know I am not snide in saying this... I simply love you enough to say what someone should have said a long time ago.
good night all.
