Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to ask you a little question.
Have you ever been stopped by an officer on the highway, who asked for your name and your permanent place of residence? Perhaps they went a step further, and asked you to produce some type of identification. They wanted to see some type of proof that you are really who you claim to be. Proof is defined as a fact or information that shows something is true. It is a process of establishing the validity of something.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
What we are, is defined by what we do. Someone becomes known as a good mechanic by the many years that he has repaired cars. A roofer becomes trusted as a good contractor, simply because of all the shingles that he has replaced. It is our deeds that prove what we are, and for a Christian it is many years of faithful devotion and obedience to the will of God.
“For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.” 2 Corinthians 2:9
The proof of who we really are goes far beyond a name written on an ID, or embossed on a college degree. It’s more than an office with a view, or a name tag on your chest. When all is said and done, the proof of what we really are is seen by our actions.
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
Paul didn’t need letters of commendation hanging on the wall to substantiate what he already was. The obedient life that he lived and the things that he did for Christ, were living proof that he was an instrument of God.
“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” 2 Corinthians 12:12
The Apostle Paul wanted the church to prove their love by their actions.
“Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.” 2 Corinthians 8:24
Timothy proved that he was a faithful minister of Christ by remaining steadfastly at Paul’s side.
“But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.” Philippians 2:22
Even before selecting a deacon in the church, their works had to be first proved. They needed to show beforehand that they were capable of walking faithfully in the office to which they are chosen.
“And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” 1 Timothy 3:10
Those who claim to abide in Christ must prove it through the lives that they live. Sadly, some people have reduced Christianity to simply a confession of their beliefs, rather than a wholehearted conversion to the truth. Without a complete transformation through repentance and submission to God’s will, they only deceive themselves. To obtain eternal life we must activate our faith by becoming a doer of God’s Word.
James 1 ²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ²³ For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Many people, including the Apostle Paul, were well versed in the things of the Old Testament, but knowledge by itself is incapable of saving us unless we apply it to our daily lives. Obedience to the will of Christ is the proof that we love Him. Many people will fall short of eternal life because they claimed to follow Jesus but then never fully surrendered their hearts to His teachings.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Many forms of false Christianity actually believe that they are on their way to heaven, but they refuse to do what is required on their part to obtain it. Heaven is a place that is reserved for the righteous, not for those who refuse to repent. True faith in Christ will humbly submit yourself to God’s will, and become completely transformed through belief in the gospel. This change will be outwardly visible in one’s life, and proven through works of repentance.
Matthew 3 ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
The Apostle Paul taught the same thing.
“But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20
You can see the fruit on an apple tree, and you can see the fruit on a plum tree. You can also see the fruits of repentance, which are the outward evidence of an inward change. The only way to be justified with God is to reject sinful living and begin walking on the narrow path of Christ.
“(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13
Scriptures teach us that we are justified by faith, but real faith is going to be filled with works. Only through our works can we show our faith to others. They are an open display of what we believe to a sinful world. Only through good works can you let your light shine!
Matthew 5 ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” John 14:11
Remember that faith without works is dead!
James 2 ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? ²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ²³ 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. ²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Apostles dedicated their lives to the teachings of Christ, and their faithful works proved what they were. What have you done with your life? What is the outward evidence of your faithful service to Christ? If you want to obtain eternal life you must turn away from your sins, become a new creature in Christ, and bring forth works meet for repentance, because it’s going to take much more effort than just claiming to be a Christian, or reaching inside of your wallet and producing some sort of…..
….. Identity Card
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious goups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️
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