Jesus Only Sees Our Works: No Works, No Faith

[robert derrick]

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

The only thing Jesus sees and knows about His people are their works first, which proves to Him their faith, whether we be alive, dead, or lukewarm.

He confirms His Scripture in James, that He only knows our faith by our works.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Those having faith without works aren't even seen and acknowledged by Jesus at all.

Jesus doesn't even bother correcting believers only: He only chastens and rebukes them having works, even if they are only lukewarm.

Them that mouth about their faith only, without works, are not even as honored in Christ to be the lukewarm vomited from His mouth.

Believers only, don't even rise to the level of regurgitated half-doers.

I would rather find myself vomited on the ground at Jesus' feet, chastened with need of repentance, than to be celebrating dead grace with OSAS.

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

I would sooner seek to help lukewarm vomit to repent, than to ever try and correct a confirmed OSAS proselyte.

At least vomit is lukewarm, but a dead branch is altogether cold:

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

With the wretched double minded in works, there is at least something there for Jesus to love by way of correction, but with OSAS there simply is no there, there.

 

[Raccoon1010]

Works are what affect the earth and the people in it. Not thoughts or hearts although the thoughts and hearts can lead to works. This is why he is concerned with works.

 

[robert derrick]

Works are what affect the earth and the people in it. Not thoughts or hearts although the thoughts and hearts can lead to works.

True with natural man on earth, but not with God in heaven, who looks within the heart first:

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Thoughts are judged as works by God, who sees the heart first:

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Man only looks on the outside for works, but God looks within the heart: If we are are still lusting for sin within the heart, we are still judged by God as sinning bodily, even if man does not.

To be born again of the spirit with God is to begin looking on our own hearts as God does.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Our first works in Christ Jesus is the spiritual work of purifying our hearts from unrighteous thoughts and vain imagination.

When we repent of sinning bodily, we first repent of lusting to sin within.

 

[Raccoon1010]

Thoughts are judged as works by God, who sees the heart first:

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Man only looks on the outside for works, but God first looks within the heart: If we are are still lusting for sin within the heart, we are still judged by God as sinning bodily, even if man does not.

Lusting "after" a person is a type of physical act. It is not thought or heart works. Going "after" someone in lust is what he was referring to, whether you've fornicated with them or not. And adultery would involve a married person.

Being tempted is not sin. It is what we do to act on that temptation that is sin. "Lusting After" a married person means you've taken steps to commit adultery. And that is a sin.

Looking on a woman to lust after her is a type of action. And the Lord was pointing out that they have committed themselves to adultery in their heart. So we are not to open ourselves to this "committed to sin" type of behavior.

 

[Michiah-Imla]

“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10)

The end result of chastening is holiness.

And a holy person does not sin.

But many think chastening is a never ending process with no purpose in the end.

There comes a point when God stops useless chastening on a rebel:

“In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction…” (Jeremiah 2:30)

And the sin purging will end too!

“In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.” (Ezekiel 24:13)