Am I doing God's plan or am I trying to get God on board with my plan?
Have you ever heard anyone talk about "God's great and special plans"? How each individual has a grand destiny in God's plans for them?
- God has a plan for you!
- Nothing can stop God's plan for your life!
- God's going to use you to do great things!
- Etc...
This is absolute hogwash! God does not have a special plan for each of us to fulfill! This is a lie from Satan that plays on our pride!
He wants us to be His "body", and work together to spread the gospel to all the world!
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying God doesn't use some people for some very extraordinary things, or that He won't use you or someone else to do so. My point is that EVERYONE thinks they're going to be the special one that God uses in mighty ways. We are all special to God and He loves us all very much, but most of us will not be a great prophet of God. Most of us are simply the children that He loves so much, and He teaches us how to love Him back, and to be humble and obedient.
So many people are doing everything they can to get God on board with the plan they want to pursue instead of just doing what God says to do.
An example of this is someone I know who's a "gamer" and loves to play online games. She signed up for a trip to "GameCon" because she loves gaming and said it was a "mission" trip because she planned to talk to people about Jesus while she was there. Even got people to donate to the "cause" and help her pay for it. Now, is this a horrible bad thing? NO! I'm not saying that, but what I am saying is that this was her plan, and her desire to go to GameCon, and the "mission" was a secondary part of the plan and was more of an excuse to get donations. She made her plan, got people to donate, and made her plan "God's plan"... but, she does nothing else for God in her daily life nor does she do anything for God that I know of other than that one time. Anyone else notice anything off about that? Many people would not see anything wrong with this. It's "normal" Christian behavior to do pretty much nothing for God (reading the Bible once in a while, and attending church is not "doing" for God), but then when something strikes their fancy they do everything they can to get what they want and try to make it "God's plan". My biggest issue is how people try to make money off of God, by "doing God's work"... They justify it in many ways, but it really boils down to them making the money instead of them giving to God. Most "christians" don't spend their own money or much, if any, of their time for God. It's not something they're interested in... They'll create a non-profit to "work for God" and profit from it with creative salaries and other ways people use to make money on a charity organization. Or they write books and make movies and videos "for God", and then charge for it to make a profit. I'm sorry if you don't see this the way I do, but doing things like that is not doing Gods work and/or following His plan. I'm not saying we shouldn't do any of those things, but it should not be for profit if we're doing it for God. We should give it away for free if we can or at the most sell it at the cost of producing it. Then, it's truly "doing it for God".
God told us His plan...
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
If we read 1 Corinthians 12, we see that Paul shows us how God gives us His gifts in order to give power to the "body" which is us working together to magnify God and spread the gospel. We're all parts of the same body, not individuals doing our own thing.
We're not all the head, nor are we all the feet, or the hands, or the eyes. We all have specific roles that we perform to the benefit of the whole body, working together, doing Gods work!
It's important to understand that not everyone can be the head!!! Too many are full of pride and want to be the head... be what God assigned you to be... help the one who is the head in the work he is doing!
If you have no head to work with, or if you're part of a "church" that doesn't teach precisely what the Bible teaches, find other believers who love God and who are like-minded, who want to be one body, and one spirit, pursuing God together.
God's plan is simple, be filled with His Spirit and tell, warn, preach the gospel... to bear fruit! We are branches in the tree of believers, parts of the body.
To bear fruit is to do God's work and be useful to Him and the kingdom of God.
Once we understand what this life is for, which is for God to get His people, those who will love Him and that He can love for eternity, then we realize that we should spend the rest of our lives trying to help others to know Him and love Him.
Our fruit is the product of that resolve and that action.
The disciples in Acts give us a good example. They met regularly and discussed things and worked together to plan strategies. All of which was to promote Jesus and the gospel.
Are we required to do this? Does Jesus really expect us to work to grow the kingdom of God? Isn't this just for pastors and evangelists, and missionaries?
God calls us ALL to be evangelists! Again, we're not all the head, but we're all called to work in the body to work for the kingdom!
Luke 19:11-27 shows us the parable of the servants that were given money to take care of while the master was away. This is what's going on right now! Jesus has gone away for a while, and He will be returning (soon). He's given us all a valuable currency... the Truth and the Gospel... and He expects us to multiply what He's given us!
The parable of the sower and the seed... Luke 8:4-18, those on the good ground "bring forth fruit", those among thorns "bring no fruit to perfection"...
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
He says that those who fell among the thorns get drawn away by the cares and pleasures of life, and bear no fruit. Now, a lot of people would argue this and say that having no fruit (good works) doesn't matter...
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
He takes away the branches that bear no fruit! Don't believe the lies that Satan has sown so deeply in the church!
Luke 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Jesus said it is those who DO that are His family.
For the rest of this newsletter I'm going to show what the scriptures say about works. It's very important that we understand this.
No amount of good works will save an unbeliever. We establish that right up front.
No man is justified by the Law. We have to distinguish between the Law and godly works. We must understand the difference between self righteous works of flesh and godly works of love. There is a difference between the Law of Moses and the law of faith. Paul rebuked those false teachers who instructed believers to keep the law of Moses. Paul encouraged the church to continue in godly works.
I've heard numerous ignorant preachers make the claim that Paul and James were in an argument because Paul said you are justified by faith and not works and James states you are justified by faith and works.
Paul and James are in complete agreement. They are two sides of the same coin fighting two sides of the issue.
Paul was saying all the good works in the world can't save you if you don't love and have faith in Christ. Your works are vain without faith in Christ.
James was saying If you claim to love Christ, and yet your love and faith doesn't cause you to obey Him then your profession is false. Your faith is vain if it doesn't cause you to work.
Paul himself shows us that he's teaching both sides of the coin. He does not leave us in confusion, he explains himself showing that he is in complete agreement with James! Take a look at Ephesians and Titus...
Many people LOVE to quote Ephesians 2:8-9, while neglecting or ignoring verse 10.
Ephesians 2:8 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.
Notice that Paul speaks of the grace that saved us, and that we can't buy salvation with our own works, but then immediately tells us that we should do good works and walk in good works.
Same thing in Titus... People love to quote Titus 3:5, but they ignore the rest of the chapter, and the entire Epistle!
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
We have to READ THE WHOLE LETTER! Take a look at how many times Paul says we should do works in the very same letter!
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work
Titus 3:8 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.
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
What did Jesus say would cause people to glorify the Father?
YOUR GOOD WORKS!
Why would Jesus make that statement If our works weren't important?
Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Jesus rebuked the church because their WORKS weren't perfect before God.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Jesus REBUKES the church, and tells them to do the FIRST WORKS. JESUS DIDNT SEEM TO THINK THEIR WORKS WERE UNIMPORTANT.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Matt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Wait a minute! Works? Disobedient? Reprobate?!? But, they profess Christ! They're saved aren't they??? Think about this! No, they are not saved. Now, go a step further... were they saved when they first believed? Like the seed on the stony ground, or among the thorns?
The parable of the sower and the seed...
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Note; they believe for a while, but then temptation overcomes them and they fall away. He goes on to say that those who fell among the thorns get drawn away by the cares and pleasures of life, and bear no fruit. Now, a lot of people would argue this and say that having no fruit (good works) doesn't matter and it certainly doesn't mean you've fallen away or won't be saved!
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
He takes away the branches that bear no fruit! Don't believe the lies that Satan has sown so deeply in the church!
Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Faith without works is dead, as James tells us.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jesus said if we call Him Lord, or if we say we love Him, we should obey Him!
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Without obedience there is no salvation.
Salvation is not by works, it's by faith, and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in that He gave Himself as the required sacrifice for our sins.
But, without works, there is no salvation. Works are because of salvation, in part by obedience to the gospel and obedience to Christ's teachings and instruction.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Many are unable to distinguish and recognize the difference between self righteous works, and righteous works of faith. We aren't saved by OUR works but we also aren't saved unless our faith works. We are saved to work. If your faith doesn't cause you to work then your faith isn't real.
If works aren't important then why will we be judged by them?
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Rev 2:23 ... and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
So, what about the "Law of Moses", and the 10 commandments? What about the sabbath day?
I've heard so many people spout the word "legalism" any time anyone talks about obedience to the Lord in "works" (doing things, anything, that amounts to doing something in relation to salvation).
Now, we are not instructed to obey the law of Moses, or the Levitical law of the Old Testament, which includes the 10 commandments. I invite you to read the entire book of Galatians where Paul goes into great detail concerning this.
Paul stood up to Peter about circumcision, which is one of the laws of the Old Testament
Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Peter, when he was older, said how Pauls writings were wise...
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Obedience to God in works is not legalism, and we are not required to obey the law of Moses, but our works are simply part of being obedient to God.
The Bible teaches us that it's not works that save us, but it is works that follow salvation. It's the fruit that we bear, that shows the Love of God in us.
Jesus said, Matt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
James tells us that faith without works is dead. Faith without works is nothing! If you say you have faith and have no works, your faith is dead!
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Paul actually answers this question for us very clearly, here in Titus:
Titus 3:8 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. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Be careful to maintain good works, but avoid foolish questions and strivings about the law. It's not legalism to do good works, it's obedience to God.
Matt 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Works (the things we do for God) are because of salvation, not for salvation.
Some additional information for in-depth study:
What does it really mean to be a Christian?