Do Works Matter?

Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Matt 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.


Many churches today downplay the significance of good works in the Christian walk. They refer to holiness as works salvation, and they are leading many astray with their unsound doctrine. The truth of God's Word is not popular with most people today, because most people want a feel good message that does not require moral accountability. The Bible has quite a few verses about the necessity of good works in the Christian lifestyle, but the churches have demonized the word according to the great deceiver's plan. Matthew 16:27 states that when the Lord returns he will reward each person according to his works. Also, at the great white throne judgment the books will be open and each person will be judged according to his works. Christ said that any tree which does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. When we come to Christ by faith, we must repent of our sins and become born again in order to be saved. If a person is truly born again, then good fruit, accompanied by good works will be the natural result. If you have faith, but there is no evidence of a transformed life, then you are not truly born again.


 Many people get confused by a few of  Paul's verses that many take out of context. Paul said, that we are justified by faith, not by the works of keeping the Law of Moses, that anyone should boast. Paul was addressing Christians who felt obligated to keep the mosaic law, in addition to having faith in Christ, to be saved. Paul went to great length  to teach the new converts that we are now living under a new covenant, but Paul also taught that if we continue in sin, we know not God, or his Son. Paul also said, to come out from among them and be ye separate saith God, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you, 2 Cor 6:17. James the brother of Christ, was the leader of the Christian Church at Jerusalem, and he taught that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). He makes the point that even the demons believe and tremble. James states that if we see our brother or sister, naked or destitute and without food, and refuse to give them what they need, then our faith is dead. Christ also taught that if we don't feed and clothe our brother in need, that we have denied the faith and will be cast into hell. It is very clear that our works do matter, and without them our faith is dead.


God's Word teaches that without holiness no man shall see the Father. We are called to be a holy, righteous, set apart (sanctified) people, but this doesn't mean that we are perfect. This means that we are obedient to the teachings of Christ and are bearing good fruit (Galatians 5). The work of the Holy Spirit is to purify or sanctify us, and this is a lifelong process that begins when we are born again. When we sin, we have an advocate (attorney) to the Father and he is Jesus Christ. Christ's atonement upon the cross wiped out all of our sins when we repented of them at our conversion, he paid our debt in full. But God's Word also teaches that we are not to continue in sin, but we are to become a new creation in Christ. Habitual sins, like pornography or alcoholism, are known as spiritual bondages and they will lead to spiritual death, unless a person repents and turns from them. Christ's blood is applied to sins that we repent of, or commit in ignorance, but it is not automatic. Christ said multiple times, that those who endure unto the end shall be saved. The Apostle Paul also said that even he, after preaching to others, could be disqualified from the race if he doesn't keep his flesh in subjection. In other words, if  Paul did not endure unto the end and cross the finish line, he could lose his salvation. 1 Cor 9:24    Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.


In Revelation chapters two and three, we read of Christ's warnings to the seven churches. Christ both praises the churches, as well as brings correction to them. Christ says repeatedly, that he knows their works.  Christ tells the church at Pergamos, to  repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. To the church at Thyatira, Christ said that he will give to each one of you according to your works. To the church at Ephesus, Christ said, in Rev 2:  ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. And to the church of the Laodiceans he tells them that because they are lukewarm, he will vomit them out. As I have pointed out, it is very clear that we will all be judged according to our works. 

 

Faith Without Works Is Dead

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?  ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


The Church At Ephesus

 Rev 2:2    “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

The Compromising Church

Rev 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: ¹³ “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. ¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. ¹⁵ Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. ¹⁶ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

The Corrupt Church

Rev 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: ¹⁹ “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. ²⁰ Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. ²¹ And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.  ²² Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. ²³ I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

The Dead Church

Rev 3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. ² Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. ³ Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

The Lukewarm Church

 Rev 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
 

 2 Cor 6:17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

1 Timothy 6: 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

1 Cor 6: 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.