Micah 6: 7-9, King James Version (KJV): 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 9 The LORD’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
John 14: 9-11, KJV: 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 14: 22-26, KJV: 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Titus 3: 8, KJV: 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
1st Peter 2: 15-16, KJV: 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “truth” (Level 3 with 1,188 points, a member since July 20, 2009) posted the following:
We do good deeds not to earn our salvation. Salvation is free gift of God thru Jesus. Why do Christians do good deeds?
n the year 1971, during our liberation war, I went to India with my family as a refugee. We were at the refugee camp. Day after day I use to see the Christians from different charity organizations serving the destitute people in the refugee camp. I was very much impressed by their dedication, their love for the people. I befriended some of them. One day one of the members of the Christian Medical team told me that because they were saved by the grace of God that's why they were doing good works. They were doing good works not to earn salvation. Their God is the God of love and His love was manifested in the person of Jesus. The man further added that Jesus said, "love your neighbor as you love yourself," and this teaching of Jesus had led them to serve all mankind, no matter what caste or religion. This idea changed my total understanding about God and His personality. It was the first time I heard about Jesus.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5: 19-26, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Great Commission Obeyed? (01/12/2016); Repentance and New Life? (12/30/2015); By More Than Believing (12/04/2015); Saved by Faith and Works? (09/15/2015); Good Intentions? (07/26/2014); The Bible is All About GOD? (07/27/2014); Order My Steps (10/26/2013)
“truth”, even as a follower of Jesus Christ, I can not save you; however, I can share with you the divine gifts, sacred knowledge, testaments, and testimonies that are being shared with me. Only divinity can complete the full set of sacred operations that establish a person as having salvation from sin. Included are appearing upon the earth using the form of flesh and “person” (we say, incarnation); atonement; hearing confession; forgiveness; judgment; rebirth through water baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, regeneration having spirit substance from the makeup of Deity); enabling and performing repentance; perfection, (the condition of full immortality, spiritual purity, and stability) and sanctification (becoming set apart for exclusive service to GOD). Disciples and followers of Jesus are recruited to be a clear example to others as vessels of divine Spirit, share a specific message, and live a peculiar lifestyle. Like a restaurant menu that is preset for the diners, the various acceptable choices, “good deeds,” and works a believer may perform to exist as a companion to the Creator already have been “focused” and trimmed down by GOD. This permits believers to say, The kingdom of GOD is not the land of “do as you please” so much as “do as pleases GOD.” Consider the following points using language from the holy writings:
(1.) Ephesians 2: 8-10, King James Version (KJV): 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(2.) Matthew 5: 14-16, KJV: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(3.) 2nd Timothy 2: 24-26, KJV: 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
(4.) 1st Corinthians 3: 11-15, KJV: 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) 2nd Timothy 2: 19-22, KJV: 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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