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NASB | James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God's precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. |
Subject: Grace vs Works? |
Bible Note: Hi, rikbrooks... Martin Luther said it very well, "We are saved by faith alone, but it is a faith that is not alone." I liked the phrase you used: "outward manifestation of having been saved." Christianity is always observable. I think it was Paul Washer who said (and I paraphrase), "If you have an encounter with God, you cannot but come away from it changed. Just as if you have an encounter with an Mack truck, you cannot but come away from it changed." Redemptive history is all about what the Lord God has done. He has made dead men living (Ephesians 2:1) and brought estranged men together (Ephesians 2:15), building them together as a temple, made without hands, of which they are living stones, with Christ as the corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). This isn't a matter of man's doing, but entirely a matter of God's doing. He tells us more about this eternal purpose of His, when He says that we have been transformed in order that we will walk in good works (Ephesians 2:10). You objected to all of this by bringing the example of the thief on the cross. You wrote, "He never performed ANY good works." (sic) This is not true. The thief's regeneration was made manifest in his declaration of Christ's innocence. Yet there was more: He actually submitted to Christ by his prayer, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" (Luke 23:42) No lost person can make such an affirmation. Christ even affirms this transformation in v43. You asked, "What do I care about that?" (sic) You care because we are asked to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5 and Galatians 6:4). You care because if there are no evidences, then perhaps you might be one of those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 4:1). You wrote, "My relationship with my Lord is deeply personal." What do the kids say? Meh. Your relationship with the Lord is one that He initiated and one in which He expects you to participate in the context of the local church. There is no such thing as Lone Ranger Christian. In fact, according to the Apostle John in his first epistle, the evidences of regeneration include a growing love for God, a growing love for His Word, and a growing love for the brethren. Anyone who thinks that they can love without it showing is a fool indeed. Love cannot help but manifest itself in behavior. You asked, "Should I go around trying to impress everyone around me with my piety?" (sic) Again... Meh. You know better than that. You asked, "I really don’t care if you or anyone else can discern what is in my heart. Is that wrong?" If you do not care, then you must not care about how Christ sees your heart. He said we are to be lights to the world (Matthew 5:14). He commanded us to love (John 15:12), something that He said would identify us to the world. If you do not care, then you are not one of His, just as He explains in John 10:26-27. Our Lord tells us that by our fruit we will be known (Luke 6:44). You see, the word regeneration is a very powerful one. Christians are new creatures in Christ, everything about the old man is gone and is replaced (2 Corinthians 5:17). No matter what you do, apple trees produce apples. But in regeneration (rebirth, new life) the very DNA (so to speak) of who we are changes. Christians always bear fruit (Mark 4:20). The internal realities cannot help but manifest in externally visible behaviors. You can't stop it even if you want to. In Him, Doc |