Jesus made clear to the disciples that there were two forces that led to truth that would persuade them and the people to whom they would witness. The first covers all, and that is faith, and the second is performance (works) in faith. He treated it firmly in the closing messages to the disciples before his crucifixion. (John 14:11) It appears as a subject in the closing of the biblical record of The Revelation.
It is easy for leaders to lose some balance when they feel called to advance a pattern of thought and performance in any field, to downgrade or ignore much that seems to be paradoxical or contradictory to what they are trying to advance. Even Martin Luther wrestled with the Epistle of James in the New Testament – an Epistle that he felt put too great emphasis on works. In perception he thought of it as a right strawy (sic) epistle. Luther was so put off by the Catholic emphasis on works and penance benefits to the church that he seems to us now as having downplayed somewhat the accompaniments to effective Christian (redemptive) life experience and responsibility related to biblical belief with guided righteous conduct.
It is clear from Scripture and from life that by their works ye shall know them. This may be an obvious statement. Everyone has an accumulation of works (deeds, good and/or bad or neutral) in their lives. By analyzing carefully, especially when the analyst is astute, the individual and the correspondents to the individual are truly evaluated. Genuine works tell the story about what persons believe and the direction that faith (thoughts, desires and energies) will take them. Even the non-worker proves self as slothful because his or her record sheet is short listed, perhaps empty of effort. Lack of works becomes the evidence of nothingness. God, because of his own nature and meaning for creation, doesn’t readily admit the totally slothful person into his faith family. That family includes persons of faith in God, who have lived righteously – if they lived in a faith resolution. It is not possible to prove righteousness to the human race without some works of righteousness. It is by righteous works that the individual and the society are caused to believe in genuine values. It is a pattern laid out by the Lord in Scripture providing convincing script for Christian and non-Christian life. So it is that entrance into God’s house is by faith, but seating is found in response to the host, who has one thing in mind: How well did this person represent me, for redemptive proofs and purposes to themselves and others of their ken? This is so important that Christ ordained the Church, and the Holy Spirit joined to assist, to make practical the ministry of Christ.
There are underlying feelings among God believers that God will make judgment on performance. The problem is that secularists may not tie the service to the body of faith in Christ’s redemptive acts. Christians fear they may downplay the first (faith), and too greatly accent the second (works). The non-Christian tends to put all the virtue in the works basket, but that basket is never large enough to cover the need. His or her works can become sticks, or rags (self-works) that burn in the refiner’s fire. The Apostle Paul sees them as excrement or filthy rags (menstrual cloths) in the report of human offerings – strong language with important meaning. Appropriate works are evidence of any faith, but are not the faith that is redemptive.
Mankind enjoys animals, especially draft animals that are obedient, but they remain animals. When they die they are gone. Human habits are animal, unless God affords them lasting value. Our first purpose is to identify with God in Jesus Christ, so that work done is meaningful on the level of award for good. The meaning will continue to prove to ourselves and anyone looking in on us that the holiness of God is reflected in us with righteousness translated practically in acts that serve the needs of mankind. To serve, as God wants mankind served, is translated by God in service to him so to be perceived as worshipful, and so to be acknowledged. Obedience to God for redemptive purpose qualifies for award. It is important, perhaps vital, that we do not diminish works just because works can’t do everything for us. Because redemption does not rely on human works (ethical achievement), we sometimes diminish human works. Humane works are important and will be considered in God’s evaluation of our lives. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020