JOHN 6:28-29
28 Then they said unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of GOD? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of GOD, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent.
The Latin base for the word ‘religion’ means burden, as in to carry one. I think that is an apt description of religion in general. It is a burden that devotees and disciples of such are meant to carry, in the (vain) hopes that they might find approval from GOD in so doing.
As one examines the world religions, they all make demands of the people, that if they are to be found ‘worthy’, they must devote themselves to regulations, rules and rituals – but where is relationship with GOD as one’s own Father? Where is getting to know GOD as such, and growing in intimacy? Where is there any assurance of salvation?
This is where biblical Christianity stands apart; and I must (these days) say ‘biblical Christianity’ for even the faith spoken of in the Bible has been perverted to one degree or another into a religion of ‘do’s and don’ts’ whereby disciples are counted on to provide (at least in part) their own righteousness by works, deeds and creeds.
Yet biblical Christianity focuses the attention not on what the disciple can do, but what the Savior did! GOD knew that man could never attain to His Holy Standard for approval; the Ten Commandments – and the Law of GOD in general was provided to prove our own unworthiness:
GALATIANS 2:16a,c
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law… for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
1 TIMOTHY 1:9-10
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Christ died on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins (MATT 9:13; 2 COR 5:21; COL 1:20; 1 TIM 1:15) and the spiritual darkness we were all enslaved to (ROM 6: 17-18;1 PET 2:9) liberating us from sin and darkness (GAL 5:1; COL 2:14) and delivering us into the Kingdom of GOD (COL 1:13) in newness of life (ROM 6:4)!
All that’s required of us is obedience to the Gospel by faith; simply believing GOD’s Word concerning Jesus Christ; this is the only means to provide for our justification before GOD:
GALATIANS 2:16b
…but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law…
ROMANS 4:1-8
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.
This is what the LORD Jesus pointed to with these inquirers that wanted “to work the works of GOD” – simply believe what has been done already by Jesus, providing salvation to all who will repent of their sin and come to Him in humility, confession and faith.
Godly sorrow leads to repentance and repentance to salvation (2 COR 7:10), but this is apart from any works of our own (2 TIM 1:9) but wholly dependent on the work Christ wrought on Calvary’s cross!
This is an offense to religious people who feel that they themselves are basically good people, with just a few flaws to work out, but by no means do they consider themselves to be sinners, much less evil.
This is in stark contrast to what the Bible has to say about the human heart:
JEREMIAH 17:9-10
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
MATTHEW 15:18-20a
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man…
To those humble enough to admit the truth concerning themselves, and “believe on Him whom GOD has sent” the LORD will raise these up and place them in the highest pinnacles of salvation (JAMES 4:6,10).
This attitude of heart doesn’t stop upon initial salvation; for those saints (born again believers) who remain in the humble place of the heart, the LORD will continually say to them, “Friend, go up higher!” (See LUKE 14:7-11) and know the honor that GOD places upon such (PROV 15:33; 22:4): in their ministry, in their family, in their business, etc. Understand that honor from GOD will often bring the ridicule of fallen man, but at the last, when Christ returns, full honors and commendations will be granted and recognized for all eternity (2 THESS 1:10-12)!
We must rigorously remind ourselves that our life with GOD is established on His grace, and that the relationship we enter into with the LORD is won already by the Cross of Christ, whereby we rest from any works of self-righteousness and rest in the provision of salvation via the LAMB of GOD!
HEBREWS 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 ¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
For more on the issue of salvation, check out the following TTUF article:
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