Failure of the Church to get the balance of the faith/works issue right (Part 4)

When it comes to faith and works, we have learned Jesus taught that faith must come first. We must have a faith that allows us give Christ control of our lives, recognizing that we, you and I, are imperfect beings, and as such need a savior. Jesus died on the cross so that you, I, and anyone who so chooses, can leave our imperfect selves in the grave, and enter a perfect heaven with perfected and sin-cleansed bodies. In fact it is the only way we can enter a perfect place. Think about it for a moment. If even small sin was able to enter a perfect, sinless place, what would eventually happen?

Right, it would cease to be a sinless, perfect place.

God lives in a perfect place. He has told us it is a place where there will be no more tears and no more pain. If we only know that much about heaven, we must know it is a perfect, sinless place. Otherwise someone would be hurt in some fashion.

So, God created a way for imperfect people to be in heaven for eternity. The way was Jesus. That is why Jesus says he is the way, the truth, and the life. It is through Jesus, that our sins/imperfections are removed forever; making him the only way to enter heaven, and that is the truth of God’s word.

Thing is, Jesus may be the only way, but the way is an open invitation to everyone, and I mean EVERYONE. If you have not already accepted the invitation, why not do so now. Stop now and pray a prayer to Jesus, in your own words, something like this.

Jesus, I am not perfect. In fact although I know I do some good things, mostly I think about what I want and how I can get it, and forget about how it might affect others. Yes, I am imperfect, and I have sinned. Forgive me, and help me change. I open my life to you Jesus. I accept your offer of life, earned by the payment for my sins on the cross, and I ask you to come into my life like a refiner’s fire. Heal my brokenness, and clean up my life. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen.

If you weren’t yet ready to pray a prayer of confession to Jesus, please keep reading anyway. I think many of your questions may be answered.

You can always ask questions in the comment section if you would like.

Well, now we have the first part of the faith/works issue in hand. Let’s move on to the next.

However, it has also been made clear by Jesus that he expects that true followers, who are filled with his spirit, will have his heart for the poor, the sick, and the downtrodden. He also expects that his followers will have a heart of love, which will drive them to share the good news so that others may have an eternal home with him.

In order to help us the Holy Spirit, now within us, gives us gifts with which to serve Christ now, while we live our earthly lives. That is what our next parable is all about, gifts, the giver of the gifts, and the expectations of the giver.

Go ahead and read the parable, by clicking on this link. Think about it for the next few days.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+25%3A14-30&version=NIV

Until next time, blessings my friend.

M.