Good morning and welcome in. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from the book of Hebrews but before we do that, I wanted to ask you a question.
How many times have you gone to bed at night and then woken up to see a big pile of white fluffy snow outside the front door. Although we were sleeping all night long, there was something going on outside that we couldn’t see, but the snow was evidence of what happened during the night. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the things that He taught it is outward evidence of something that’s going on inside of our hearts. The unseen things of God are seen in our lives, revealed to others through our faithful lives towards Him.
How many of you like to go fishing in the summer? Each time you put a worm on your hook the evidence that there are hungry fish under the water is your bobber going up and down. Evidence is a sign which shows that something exists or is true.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Works are evidence of an inward faith and belief in God. The Apostle Paul had a life changing conversion when he became a Christian. The evidence of his faith was most of the New Testament that we have today. The result of true faith will result in obedient works. Works are evidence of faith inside your heart.
James 2:17-26 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know,
O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Whatever we do in the Christian faith has to be motivated out of true love in our hearts for the one who died for us on the cross. Works are a result of our faith in God but they need to be motivated by a loving heart by those that are ready to obey and do His will. The Lord Jesus taught that in order to obtain eternal life we need to do the will of His heavenly Father.
I think that the evidence that we need to show to the world is obedience to Christ, and it must be based in a love for Him rather than religion. Sitting in a church twice a week doesn’t make you a Christian. Giving money to the church doesn’t make you a Christian. All these things are purposeless without a true love in your heart for the one who died on the cross for you. Our faith is the evidence of things not seen but our faith must be motivated out of love and faithfulness to God, otherwise any works done will be burned up.
The Beloved Apostle James taught that faith without works is dead but these works need to be done out of love for Christ whether it’s praying, fasting or other duties in the church. They must be motivated from the heart, out of love for Jesus.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Doing God’s will has to be based in love for Him rather than religion.
People can do all kinds of things that are not motivated out of true love in their hearts for God. Doing Gods will is the requirement to obtain eternal life, and obeying Jesus is the proof of our love, but don’t confuse this with religion.
Why did Noah build an ark? He didn’t do it to appear religious in the eyes of the public, but rather to save his family from the destruction of the world that was coming. His works were faith based rather than religious. When Moses left Egypt it was not to appear religious to others but because he truly believed in God with all of his heart.
Our lord Jesus warned the disciples not to be like the hypocrites, who did all kinds of religious duties but they really didn’t believe in Him with their hearts. Some people would pray and fast but it was not because they loved God.
So we learn that we can do a lot of religious things in our lives but we must understand that they must be motivated by love. Faith is the evidence of things unseen but faith needs to be more than just religion, it needs to be serving Christ out of love for the one who died on the cross to provide us a way to heaven.
Real faith requires real love, so, let it snow!
Let’s think about these things for right now and Lord willing we’ll talk to you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye-bye everybody.💟
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