Too often those who stand first at the trough are those who did not the work or the fighting.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Way of the Coyote)
“And so brothers of mine, stand firm! Let nothing move you as you busy yourselves in the Lord’s work. Be sure that nothing you do for him is ever lost or ever wasted.”
–1 Corinthians 15:58 (Phillips)
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Power and control. It seems that this is so much a part of life. It is hard to go anywhere, do anything, work anyplace without seeing it. Shame of it, that it is even seen in Christian circles. It is most definitely in the government, and used by the media. There most definitely was a horrible virus that came upon the world, and maybe even worse that it was used by the elite to keep power and control.
I think back to the medieval church. Much of the time power and control was emphasized. It was salvation by works, and the works were told you by the priests. Flog yourself, pay so much money, do so much service and that will take away some of your years in purgatory. Individuals fought it, such as Wycliffe and Hus, but it was until Martin Luther came upon the scene that we see a different perspective. There is not time nor space to go into all of the circumstances, but I will say it was the “fulness of times.” Luther came along, or rather God has Luther appear on the scene at just the right time in history. The religious setting was just right, as was the economic setting, but mostly it was the political setting. The Holy Spirit had things ready for Martin Luther to step into the limelight of history.
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.'”
–Romans 1:17(NKJV)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
–Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
However, that is that there is nothing to be said about works. Works are vital; fruit must grow and be seen. James asks the question, “Can faith save him?” (James 2:14) This is in regard to works. James says that there must be works. He continues in verse 17, 20, and 26.
“Thus also have faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead…. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?….For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
There are many verses that point out the necessity of works. It is when people begin to place works ahead of grace and faith that they get into trouble. People most often holler “legalism” when they really don’t understand what they are saying. Legalism is exactly this–placing works ahead of grace. We have grace through faith and it does not come about by works, but by accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who died and rose again. However, following salvation we are to grow in grace–works. We are to work for the Kingdom. No, it doesn’t save us, but it does show that our faith is alive.