Articles
Do I Agree With Jesus On Faith?
Spiritual Food for Spiritual Thought
There are too many self-proclaimed Christians today who do not take God at His word. Denominationalism, division, assemblies being neglected, sin being tolerated (and the list could go on) — all of these prove that point. God has spoken clearly on every one, and, yet, people act like He will overlook their blatant disregard.
The reason is not very complex: People just don’t like what Scripture teaches so they either dismiss it or attempt to change it.
Take for example this verse in John 6:27, 29, “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal… This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
I cannot count how many times I have heard someone read this passage ultimately to say that Jesus didn’t mean what He said. In fact, one man actually stated that Jesus was really trying to teach, “work, by not working!” That’s a neat trick. Just leave it to man to overcomplicate or just completely overwrite the plain teaching of God.
He couldn’t accept God’s word! Why? He had preconceived notions about the Bible BEFORE coming to the Bible, and when there was a disconnect —instead of letting go of his unscriptural presuppositions— he let go of the sound words of Scripture by distorting it into his own personal image.
Bible Faith V. Worldly Faith
Much of the religious world doesn’t like that Jesus calls faith “a work” (Jn. 6:29). There seems to be two main reasons for this.
(1) Many have been taught (before coming to the Bible) that belief cannot be a work.
Certainly, it is difficult to undo the damage of false teaching especially when it’s been hammered into one’s brain before they come to Scripture. But, just as certainly, no one would possibly be taught as a foundation that they can disagree with the very words of Jesus!
This is the thought we must push against this argument. Almost everyone agrees that salvation is gift from God (Eph. 2:8-9), but with that comes the condition of obedience to God (Eph. 2:10; Jas. 2:17; Is. 1:18-20); 1 Jn. 2:3-6; 5:1-4).
Why are we separating “obedience” from “faith” when God absolutely has not. Paul describes faith in this way as he speaks of Jesus “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith” (Rom. 1:5; and don’t forget Rom. 16:26). This is not man defining “faith”, but rather God doing so as He inspires these New Testament writers.
(2) Many have been taught (before coming to the Bible) that “work” has nothing to do with being a Christian, period.
We’ve already seen that Jesus clearly said faith is a work, but what else? Are not repentance and confession works by themselves?
If one does not repent can such a one enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 2:38)? If one does not repent will God save such a one (Mt. 11:20; Acts 26:20)? Of course not!
If one does not confess and pledge their allegiance to Jesus as Lord and King can such a one be a citizen of His Kingdom (Rom. 10:9ff)? In fact, Jesus says if one will not confess Him before men then Jesus Himself will deny that one before the Father (Mt. 10:32-33).
They must DO what He says. Still not convinced? James (an inspired writer) says, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?… Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (Jas. 2:14, 17). Real faith is not idle nor separate from obedience (i.e. works/deeds)! Faith is dead without works (Jas. 2:26).
If work has no place in the Christian life, please explain “He will reward each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness.” (Rom. 2:6-8_NET).
After reading these verses, wouldn’t it be sinful to go and teach someone that work is not a part of God’s Kingdom?
