Romans 4: Works vs. Faith

Works vs. Faith

There was a belief that works provided salvation more so than faith. But as Paul has explained in Romans 4, by Abraham's example, his actions (such as circumcision) came from his faith in God. People (Pharisees and religious leaders) had things twisted. Paul explains to them that it was not Abraham's circumcision that made him faithful to God, but his faith in God is what led to him to be circumcised.

The same goes with us. It is not our works that will save us and give us salvation. We are blessed to have Jesus save us from the death of our sins so that we could be redeemed to God (Romans 4:7-8), before him people had to have faith in God as is. God had not sent Jesus yet so Abraham could not follow Jesus as the disciples could or as you and I can. But that still did not keep Abraham from having faith in God who came to later in human form as Jesus.

You can go to church every day of the week. You can feed every homeless person. You can care for every orphan and widow and  visit the sick, but without faith in God those works do not symbolize anything about the Kingdom of Heaven. As we will read later in James 2:26, faith without works is dead as the body is dead apart from the spirit.

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Acts 12: Two Deaths and a Rescue

Two Deaths and a Rescue

King Herod was committing violent acts against members of the church including killing James (brother of John) with a sword. He saw that the Jews were happy about this and then went and arrested Peter as well. Herod is obviously not a man that was seeking God's will. (Acts 12:1-5).

The night before Herod was to have Peter killed, Peter was rescued by an angel of the Lord. The angel tapped him on the side, told him to get up and the chains came off. Peter got dressed and was led out by the angel. The gates to the city opened and the angel disappeared. Peter knew at that point that he was rescued by an angel of the Lord. Peter appeared to others and told them to be quiet about his rescue so that he would not be found. Then he went off to another place. When Herod found out that Peter was no longer in prison, he had the sentries (guards) killed (Acts 12:6-19).

Herod was upset with the people of Tyre and Sidon and they sought for peace with Herod because they got their food from Herod's country. They needed him. The day that he gave an oration (speech) them, the people shouted "The voice of God and not of a man." Herod took pride in that. They were saying that Herod was like a god and was not like a man. Herod took all the credit and God struck him down. The word of God continued to spread and Barnabas and Saul came back from serving and brought back Mark (Acts 12:20-25). 

What I learned in this chapter is that a person seeking to do God's will (like Peter) can be rescued. Also, just because you are doing God's will does not mean evil people won't hate you and come after (like James). Lastly, I learned that evil men will be struck down by God as Herod was. 
 
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Friday Focus #8

Why Are We Arguing? 

Have you ever been in an argument? Do you get into arguments on a regular basis? Why even argue? Is it necessary? There is a point when a conversation turns from talking to arguing.

There is a lot of pride that goes into arguments. People want to be heard and understood on one hand and on the other hand, they want you to agree with them. If you don't agree with them then they disrespect your opinion and position even if it is only an opinion. In Proverbs 15:28 we read that the righteous ponder on how to answer questions while the wicked person's mouth just lets things pour out.

Jesus says in Matthew 15:19 that out of the heart comes evil thoughts and slander. There should be a heart check if we are in an argument? Why do you need someone to agree with you so much? Why does it matter what they think or what their view is? It is okay to disagree. Isn't it.

We have to turn away arguments with soft answers and that do not stir up more angry responses. Proverbs 15:1 gives us that insight. Who wants to argue with someone who doesn't want to argue? It is not an argument if the other person is not arguing.

And lastly, in James 1:19, we are taught to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry. If we really take time to listen and even inquire for more information and clarification we might become less angry because we have gotten then answer we needed to understand the other person. When we are slow to speak that means we are still listening and not interrupting someone. And when we are not angry we are less subjected to not being Christ-like in these situations. Being Christ-like is our goal.

source utilized: Bibleinfo.com

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Friday Focus #2

The Importance of Accountability

If we aren't wanting to be held accountable then we are leaving ourselves open to falling for the temptation Satan throws at us. Satan knows what makes you stumble. Satan knows what will make you fall. Satan knows what will draw you further away from God and the rest of the flock. That is when Satan can attack (see 1 Peter 5:8).

When we are being held accountable we are able to help strengthen the body of Christ. If I am stumbling and do not care then I can cause another brother or sister to stumble. We see in Hebrews 10:24-25 that we need to "spur one another toward love and good deeds." We need to meet together and "encourage one another." The stronger we are as units the stronger the body of Christ is.

When I am going through a tough time it is amazing to be able to get a phone call or a text from a brother in Christ who can listen to my bad days. It is amazing to have brothers in Christ who will pray for me and with me. They will also keep me in check when I fall to sin (James 5:16), be it intentional or unintentional. Accountability is a big part of the Christian walk.

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Matthew 17:5- Listen to him

Matthew 17:5 "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'" commentary- As Jesus was with Peter, James and John, he took them up to a mountain and was transfigured before them. Transfigured indicates a change took place, not just necessarily a physical one. As Peter was still speaking about how good it was for them to see Jesus goes through this transformation (verses 2 and 3) a voice spoke through a bright cloud. The last thing the voice said was "listen to him." 

I point out 'listen to  him' specifically because many of us today, no matter how much access we have to physical Bibles or digital ones, we do not listen to the words of Jesus. You may have heard or read what Jesus said and did, but did you really comprehend it? Did you really understand it? Did you commit it to your heart? I compare it to background noise. We can be in another room and hear the TV but we aren't paying attention to it. We can be on the phone and hear the radio or iPod playing, but we aren't listening to it. The words and ways of Jesus are not just to be read and admired from afar, but to be treated more than your most precious gem or article of clothing. Jesus is more important to us than our equity, our retirement and our car payments. Listen to him!

I saw a link to an article about the decreasing number of Bible readers even with growing access to it. You can read the article here: http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2015/07/17/whats-technology-doing-to-the-bible/37277

May God bless you as you seek to serve Him