The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Assistant Pastor
Often you hear Christians say “Let go and let God”
in response to something someone says about working
out a situation to God’s glory. Often you hear
Christians say to others “Don’t be a legalist” or “that’s
legalism” when they hear somebody recommend a
course of action.
Or some say, “The doctrine of sanctification is understanding justification,” meaning, I don’t have to try to be faithful in the Christian life to a set of rules, etc. “I’m justified; I just have to love Jesus.”
All of these approaches center around what “works” a Christian should be doing, and are attempts to deny any kind of “salvation by works,” which is well and good. We aren’t saved by the works we do; but we are saved to do works to God’s glory! We are to imitate our faithful Savior Jesus who obeyed his Father! What say the scriptures about faithful working?
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, but only faith working through love.” – Galatians 5.6
“…work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to do his will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Phil. 4.12b-13
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fail.” – 2 Peter 1.10
“And whatever he did, Yahweh made it succeed.” – Genesis 39.23c
See also Genesis 18.17-19 for how God’s sovereignty and man’s faithful works are completely interrelated and interdependent!