INSIGHTS INTO 'GOOD WORKS' ; THE REPROBATE AND THE QUALIFIED. HOW WE WALK AND THE LEGALISTS STUMBLE.

INSIGHTS INTO 'GOOD WORKS' ; THE REPROBATE AND THE QUALIFIED. HOW WE WALK AND THE LEGALISTS STUMBLE.

Ephesians 2:

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

PLEASE, PAY ATTENTION.

THIS SCRIPTURE DID NOT SAY WE STILL HAVE GOOD WORKS TO DO TO FINISH UP WHAT CHRIST STARTED IN US.

AND GOD FORBIDS THAT I AM SAYING CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT DO GOOD.

SEE ANOTHER SCRIPTURE THEN I WILL EXPLAIN

1 Peter 2 (KJV)

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

WE ARE SAVED BECAUSE CHRIST DID CERTAIN WORKS. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED OF US TO BELIEVE.

TAKE YOUR MIND OFF 'GOOD WORK' FOR A WHILE. THINK OF 'BELIEVE' FOR NOW.

SEE THESE SCRIPTURES;

John 6:27-29 (KJV)

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

ALL THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DONE, ALL THE WORK WE NEED DO IS BELIEVE.

SO WHY DID HE TELL THEM TO LABOUR IN VERSE 27? SEE IT 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life...

'THE MEAT THAT PERISHETH' IS ANY THING SHORT OF THE EVERLASTING LIFE.

THIS IS THE MEAT THE TEACHERS OF LAW FEED THE BELIEVERS

IT IS SO HARD FOR LEGALIST TO BELIEVE THEY WERE SAVED ETERNALLY; ETERNALLY SECURED.

THAT IS WHERE THE LABOUR LIES FOR THE BELIEVER.

OKAY SEE IT IN THIS SCRIPTURE TOO.

Hebrews 4:

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 LET US LABOUR to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

YOU SEE 'LABOUR' THERE AGAIN.

AND IT TALKS OF AN 'EXAMPLE OF UNBELIEF'.

WELL, THAT IS THE STORY OF THE ISRAELITES. GOD BROUGHT THEM OUT OF EGYPT WITH MIGHTY SIGNS AND PARTED THE RED SEA AMONG OTHER MIRACLES. IT WAS TIME FOR THEM TO ENTER THAT REST, THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE GOD WHO BROUGHT THEM OUT COULD BRING THEM IN.

THIS IS THE STORY OF THE LEGALIST. THAT GOD MAY NOT FINISH WHAT HE AUTHOURED; MEANWHILE GOD HAS FINISHED ALL THE WORKS OF OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST.

SEE YET ANOTHER SCRIPTURE TO SHOW YOU THE FAITH YOU HAVE TO LABOUR TO MAINTAIN...

Hebrews 10:

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DRAW BACK, THEY CANNOT BELIEVE 'TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL'. THEY ARE HEADING FOR PERDITION JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO 'LAZY' TO BELIEVE THAT CHRIST WHO BEGAN THE 'GOOD WORK IN THEM' (WILL) HAS FINISHED IT.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

BEING CONFIDENT THAT GOD WILL FINISH (HAS ACTUALLY FINISHED, BUT IS WORKING IT OUT IN US) WHAT HE STARTED IN US.

THIS IS THE VERY CONFIDENCE PAUL TOLD US NOT TO CAST AWAY IN HEBREWS

Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

THIS CONFIDENCE IS THE FAITH WE ARE TO LABOUR TO RETAIN. THE FAITH THAT SAYS 'I ENTER MY REST. I AM REDEEMED AND SAVED. I AM IRREVERSIBLY SAVED. I CANNOT LOSE THIS SALVATION NO MATTER WHAT!' THIS IS THE REST THAT REQUIRES THE LABOUR (OF FAITH) TO ENTER.

SO, FAITH THAT ENDURE TO EVERLASTING LIFE IS THE ONLY WORK CHRIST REQUIRES OF US. LABOUR TO BELIEVE. DARE TO BELIEVE CHRIST SAVED YOU ETERNALLY.

LET US RETURN TO EPHESIANS 2.

Ephesians 2:

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH- NOT OF OUR WORKS. THIS IS CLEAR ENOUGH. WHAT IS NOT SO CLEAR IS

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them

WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE. THAT IS WHAT SOME OTHER TRANSLATIONS CALL US.

FOR US TO BE MASTERPIECE, WE ARE FINISHED PRODUCTS.

HE FURTHER DEFINES OUR PRODUCTION; THAT WE ARE CREATED IN CHRIST UNTO GOOD WORKS. OF COURSE, WHAT WAS CREATED MUST HAVE BEEN WORKED UPON.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

THAT NEW CREATURE THAT YOU ARE IN CHRIST IS GOD'S

MASTERPIECE, HIS HANDIWORK, HIS WORKMANSHIP.

BUT YOU KNOW EVERY PRODUCT IS TO AN END. YOU CREATED THE MASTERPIECE TO SERVE YOU, IS IT NOT?

NO MATTER HOW BEAUTIFUL THE CUP IS, YOU STILL WANT TO DRINK WITH IT. IN FACT YOU PREFER IT MOST.

SAME GOD DID ABOUT US WHEN HE SAVED US.

1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

THE END OF OUR BEING CREATED IN CHRIST IS UNTO GOOD WORKS. SO MUCH WORK WAS DONE IN OUR SALVATION TO SECURE OUR PURPOSE.

SO IF GOD DID SO MUCH TO GET US SAVED, DID YOU FOR ONCE THINK HE WOULD LEAVE OUR PURPOSE TO CHANCE?

THINK ABOUT IT. IF WE DID NOTHING TO BE SAVED, WHY MUST WE DO ANYTHING TO FULFIL THE END OF OUR SALVATION? AM I ADVOCATING LAZINESS? I JUST SAID SO MUCH OUT LABOUR. LABOUR TO BELIEVE RIGHT. THAT IS THE WORK HE REQUIRES OF US.

SEE SOMETHING HERE

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them

GOD HAS PREORDAINED US TO WALK (NOT WORK) IN THEM.

WALKING IS SOME WORK, I AGREE.BUT THIS WORD 'WALK'

IS SAYING IT IS SO EASY THAT WE TAKE IT IN OUR STRIDES.

IDIOM: TAKE IT IN HIS STRIDES

to calmly and easily deal with something difficult.

EASY. LIGHT.

REMEMBER WHAT CHRIST SAID?

Mat 11:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

SO WE DO THEM WE DON'T EVEN NOTICE. YES. IT IS THAT EASY. THE REALITY IS THINGS WORK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT OUR EFFORT.

Jer 10:

23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps

HERE IS A FAMILIAR ONE;

Rom 8:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

SO, WE ARE 'DOING' THE GOOD WORKS, BUT NO, NOT WE. WE WERE PRE-CONDITIONED TO DO THEM. WE WERE PROGRAMMED TO DO THEM.

IN THE ACTUAL SENSE, SEE WHAT GOD IS DOING WITH US.

Eph 2:

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

CHRIST IS THE CHIEF CORNER STONE

APOSTLES AND PROPHETS ARE THE FOUNDATION

WE ARE THE MASTERPIECE. SOME VERY COSTLY STONES.

AND WE ARE ALL BEING BUILT AS A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD ALL CORDINATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

WE ARE BEING BUILT, WE DO NOT DO THE BUILDING.

SEE IT HERE AGAIN;

1 Pet 2:

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

YOU SEE 'STONES' IN THIS SCRIPTURE TOO.

BUT SEE SOMETHING ELSE.

CHRIST OUR PRECIOUS CONERSTONE IS A ROCK OF OFFENSE TO SOME OTHERS.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO STUMBLE OVER THIS CORNERSTONE? THE LEGALISTS.

I WILL SHOW IT TO YOU IN THIS SCRIPTURES

Titus 1:10-16 (KJV)

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

THIS SCRIPTURE CALL THEM 'THE CIRCUMCISION'

SEE IT IN OTHER TRANSLATIONS.

EXB those ·who insist on circumcision to be saved

MSG Those who were brought up religious

TLB those who say that all Christians must obey the Jewish laws

AMP those (Jews) who insist that (Gentile) believers must be circumcised and keep the Law in order to be saved

SO HOW DO THEY STUMBLE ON THIS CORNERSTONE?

SEE IT IN VERSE 16

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

THINK THEY KNOW GOD...

BUT IN WORKS THEY DENY HIM. BY RELYING ON THEIR OWN WORKS, THEY DENY GRACE. THEY CANNOT BELIEVE CHRIST FINISHED THE WORK. SO THEY WORK.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

THEY BECOME REPROBATE UNTO EVERY GOOD WORK.

REBROBATE MEANS THEY BECOME DISQUALIFIED BY GOD TO DO THE GOOD WORKS THEY WERE PRE-ORDAINED TO DO.

AMP worthless for good work of any kind.

CEB disqualified to do anything good.

DLNT disapproved for every good work.

SO WHILE THEY ESTABLISH THEIR OWN WORKS, THEY DISQUALIFY THEMSELVES FROM THE VERY WORK GOD PREPARED THEM FOR.

THE PROBLEM OF THE LEGALIST IS HE JUDGES HIS WORK 'GOOD' AND GOD LOOKS, FINDS IT VOID OF GRACE, AND DECLARES HIM 'REPROBATE'.

ONLY BELIEVERS IN CHRIST AND HIS FINISHED WORK ARE QUALIFIED TO WALK IN GOOD WORKS.

AMEN.

 

- Adeolu O. V