Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Faith and works
There is always the danger of emphasizing one truth over another, to be imbalance in our spiritual life. And this is the case with regards to the issue of the relationship between faith and works. Some will rest content with the fact that they believe in Jesus and that is just about all they think they need to do. While others will rest on their works, whether that work is done at church or some social or missional organization. But what God desires from us is that our relationship to Him be characterized by both faith and works. Both are needed but for different reasons. The way I like to look at the relationship between faith and works is like that between belief and evidence. If we truly believe in Christ, the evidence for this is that our faith will produce works of love. Let us all ask ourselves this question with regard to our relationship to Jesus Christ: Are there evidences in my life, works that I do for Christ, which shows that my faith and love for him is genuine and true?
Your comment on the relationship betwwen faith and work is both encourageing and challenging . It's encourageing as I evaluate how I want to live out my life. I feel the things I want to accomplish are like the kind of works Jesus accomplished but in a much smaller scale. Yet, incorporating true faith and truly good works is such a challenge because the desires I have that are atuned to the desires of Jesus does not come natural to me. I have to be deliberate and active in atuning my mind and my heart to Jesus through prayer and through a daily dose of scripture. What comes naturally to me- or so it seems- are my selfish ambitions and sinful desires.
ReplyDeleteBut, I am glad and encouraged about the kind of works I want to be a part of that I can lift up to God. I am challenged to persevere in these works and to let go of the kind of desires and ambitions that may be questionable in its worth and ability to bring glory to God.