Monday, October 28, 2013

WORK OR WORKS

WORK OR WORKS

 

We find this word "work" quite often in the Bible, sometimes in the singular and often in the plural form. It can be used both in a positive or a negative sense, like a lot of other words. We want to look at a few samples of both. First we will look at (Heb 6:1) where we see the phrase "repentance from dead works and faith toward God". Today we hear a lot about the word "faith", but very little about "repentance", and I think this could open the door to a lot of wrong doctrine to come into certain parts of the "church". It would appear that these words repentance and faith should always go together. In (2 Peter 3:9) we read that God "is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance". On the Day of Pentecost this same Peter said "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit". (Acts 2:38). Many other scriptures mention "dead works", and our need to repent from them, for example in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, we see John used it in his letters to most of the churches that Jesus told him to write to.

 

But this word is used in lots of time in a positive way, for example in

(Gen 2:2) we read "And on the seventh day God ended the work which He had done". And in (Ps 102:25) "The heavens are the work of Your hands".

Then in (John 17:4) where we read the real Lord's prayer to His Father just before going to the cross, "I have glorified You on the earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do". And of course from the cross Jesus cried out with His last breath "It is finished", referring to the work of redemption which only He could do for us! Then in various scripture passages we read about the work He expects us as His followers today, to complete for Him. For example in (Matt 28:18-20) "And Jesus came to them and said all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen". This last commandment given to His original followers, would naturally apply to those of us today over 20 centuries later who claim to be followers of Jesus! Are we doing it? And if so, where and how are we doing it, is my parting question!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                             16/05/12                                                          

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