Faith without works is dead. But works without faith are a curse. Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve, gave offerings to God. Abel’s offering pleased God, yet Cain’s did not. Why? Because Abel’s faith in God drove his desire to honor God, not the other way around. Abraham honored God by giving the first of his fruits to God. His act of giving was not a transaction to earn God’s favor, but a declaration that God was already his provider and victor. Genesis 14:18-20 recount “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Under the flesh, there is no satisfaction because the flesh has no end except death. The flesh operates under two principles: it desires to satisfy itself or gain the approval of men!
Abraham was the author of our faith. He did not seek man’s approval. He did not live for himself. He sought only the approval of God. Our faith in Jesus, the only true God, is all that matters. Like Abraham, as we step into our faith and begin to walk in step with God, it is not for man’s approval or even because we think it will gain us entrance into Heaven. No, we do so because of what God has already done for us. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, to God. Abraham honored God not because of the reward that might come, but because he fully trusted in God’s Word.
Our faith in Jesus frees us from the bondage of performance! Still, we must exercise trust in our creator and savior. Our salvation is not reliant on what we do for him; it’s reliant on what he did and does for us! Works without faith yield only bondage, while works through faith bring freedom! Satan loves it when men replace faith with works.
Jesus suffered so we don’t have to. There are a lot of worn-out men in hell because they exchanged good works for faith in the only true living God! Through faith, acceptance into His Kingdom is complete, not the reverse. He said, “Come as you are.”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
There is no need to bring gifts or perform works to be accepted. Instead, come and be cleansed of your failures and sins, both past and present. We approach with faith, and through that faith, we are washed clean and made new. After this transformation, we are called to do good works in faith. By performing these works in faith, we store up treasures in Heaven. Remember, faith never fails, while the flesh is always prone to fail.
Abraham is the author of our faith because he believed God. When we believe God, faith is the award! My award and rewards flow from my faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ! Stop working to make Him happy; come as you are, and REST!
Have a great weekend
Stephen L. Thomas
RTM