Faith is not the end goal, but it shapes the end goal.
This I believe is well said, because according to our faith, so be it unto us. (Matthew 8:13) This applies to all things in our lives, because the just shall live by their faith. And also the unjust.
The end goal is our works and living, because the Father judges every man by our works. That is how every man is either justified or condemned by His works, and not by his own faith and beliefs.
I think what the Bible says is that we will be known by our fruit.
Exactly what Jesus says.
The point is to move away from judgment, not towards it.
This is half true in the Bible. We must remove ourselves from the judgment of condemnation by repenting from dead works. We must seek the righteous judgement of God, that our works may be justified by Him.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The Christian faith without works gospel seeks to rid us of God's judgement altogether. That of course only lasts in this life, because the Bible says the Father will certainly judge every man works.
The problem with trusting in our own faith alone to justify us, is that we think we can be rid of God's judgement for our works, and also resurrect ourselves from the dead unto life.
It's the kind of promise the serpent gave to Adam and Eve, that by our own knowledge, faith, and doctrine alone, we can become as immortal gods in our own right.
If in the end, we have made way for greater works, our works will be judged more effective and fit for the purpose for which we have been given them - its just that that does not change that we are known by our fruit.
True again. By the faith of Jesus from a pure heart of God's grace, we can be made to walk as He walked in this life, and so be found worthy of walk with Jesus in white forever. (1 John 2)(Rev 3)
I find this topic interesting, because the point (the idea, as opposed to knowing or judging) is that we find inspiration for our walk with God. The Holy Spirit does not just wait to tell us what to do next, He encourages us to think for ourselves and be daring - this inspires great works for God, not merely the first ones that come to mind.
I have not heard this before, and I believe it is inspiring and accurate. Jesus showed the same kind of 'daring' by healing the Syrophoenician woman's child, then His ministry was to the Jews first.
The point is that such daring is born of greater love to do well. It's not the daring of Lucifer to make himself equal to God in power and rule.
It will be at some future point, that we realise which works got the most praise from God and which ones were most well received by the Body of Christ -
The Bible does show us how to seek God's honor, whether men honor our works or not.
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
It's a simple matter of the heart: whose honor do we seek when we do well?
Being honored by men for our good works is not wrong, unless it is the honor we seek.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
I just think we need to involve the Holy Spirit more, before we reach that point, so that our inspiration grows (and does not become dormant).
What are your thoughts about this?
This is exactly true. Jesus reporved the Ephesian church in Rev 2. They had ceased doing the 'first works', though they remained outwardly full of good works and righteousness, which Jesus Himself honored.
They were ceasing to trust in the Spirit to guide them in their works, so that they were becoming 'dormant' to God, while alive to works. They were becoming Pharisees with outward righteousness only, but inward uncleanness without the Spirit.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
This is where Paul condemns
works alone as a means to salvation and justification with God. The opposite is true with James, who condemns faith alone as any means to be saved and justified with God.
The one does righteousness with the body only, and the other does no righteousness at all.
Thanks much.
