"Good Works" LD24, Romans 6, & John 15 The subject here was proceeded in the former Lord's day. Do our good works merit? If we live in greater sin is grace greater also? No one wants to be told that salvation is by grace alone as it nullifies anything we do (as it is all like filthy rags.) I don't want to be told that I am no good by nature. Good works? Our reward is of grace, not in our justification but in our SANCTIFICATION as we live in thankfulness and praise for our salvation.
Character: What are good works? He is the ONLY justifier when He said on the cross "It is finished." Done! God looks upon us devoid of sin and iniquity. Scripture speaks of good works in the demand of walking a justified and thankful life as a RESULT of our justification. Paul says we must walk in all good works that God has pre-ordained that we should walk in them that we may be to His glory. So good works are 1- ALWAYS out of faith and 2- in accordance with His law ALWAYS. It is the fruits of the Spirit in the body of this flesh! The root in the new beginning in Christ but attached with much sin from the flesh. The flesh gets a hold of the new principal and spoils it. Never rely on good works for your JUSTIFICATION which is always in, and all of CHRIST!
Reward: Reward is ALWAYS of grace! Those who do for men have their reward and God who sees the intent of the heart will openly reward us. There are 3 things that become apparent:
1. According to what God has done in us. They are not for what WE do.
2. Essentially the glory of heaven though we see correlation between how we live and our life.
3. Different degrees as God rewards according to the works that every man has done.
Inevitable: The criticism we receive is if we are saved let's let grace abound....which equals a straw man. There is no such animal as a profaned Christian! (Understand this concept.) One within whom Christ lives with His Holy Spirit can be profane??? One who has Christ living in will desire after Him though he struggles with the flesh and with sin as he experiences no peace in sin as it goes directly contrary to Him and the new man and seeks the Lord ALWAYS our of the principal of that new man in Christ! He will reward now and finally in glory!
Concepts to understand in regards to this:
We must always remember that the root of sanctification is in JUSTIFICATION.
How do we not foster a better "position" with good works? God makes everyone with different capacities like Paul and the malefactor on the cross for example. In heaven, no matter what capacity we serve we will be FILLED TO CAPACITY with the glory of God! A perfect symphony to His praise without degradation! High and low in heaven? I do not care for the "high and low" in heaven discussion. No child of God will ever glory in HIMSELF. NEVER! It will be continuous praise to God's glory together! We must remember that OUR neglect or affect on someone else touches the very God given capacity of that other child of God to BLOOM to his fullest to the glory of God!
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