CS Lewis once said that arguing about whether faith or works is more important is like arguing about which half of a pair of scissors does the cutting.
MaryannAugust 18, 2023
I agree that a desire to serve with love and commitment to our Savior is the highest form of "works." However, this article is a little bit too "all or nothing." Sometimes people approach an opportunity to serve with what might be called a bad attitude. BUT, after they become involved their hearts are softened and they begin to feel that love. We have often heard the phrase: "If you want to learn to love someone, serve them." This is a great example of the love coming AFTER service rendered. Regarding the example in this article of the woman who complained about serving at a wedding: Instead of assuming that her faith is dead, why didn't someone put their arm around her and say something like this--"It sounds like you are feeling stressed out and overburdened. I am so sorry. Is there something I can do to help?" It should also be remembered that just showing up can be a step in the right direction. We need to be very cautious about judging the quality of someone else's faith. I am grateful that the Lord's plan allows for us to develop faith in different ways. It doesn't really matter whether the faith, or love, or the works come first. What matters is that we continue to grow in love for Him and for His children.
Rochelle HaleAugust 16, 2023
Often, in the examples you have given, we don’t exercise our faith beforehand. I take my turn to clean the church, hoping I wipe away all of the call dust or clean the fingerprints off the windows. I don’t think I ever hoped for faith to fulfill that assignment, but I usually pause while I’m in the building and hope the Lord is pleased with my efforts. I don’t recall exercising faith to prepare a meal for someone, only that I have ingredients on hand and can help with whatever is needed. Many decades ago as a young woman I was taught to make certain decisions ahead of time. That is the nature of faith as well. As we constantly build our reserves, then we can “work” in some situations without having to again ponder our abilities or intentions. We just go and do.
PatAugust 16, 2023
What delightful insights to a 'true story'. I have seldom noticed stories about faith and works and this is one I will surely share with others. Understanding comes with faith so maybe this one will be effective. Hmmm! Thank you very much.
craigAugust 16, 2023
Couldn't agree more. A lot of people don't realize that faith without works is dead , and works without faith is dead as well
KalEl Anakin SkywalkerAugust 16, 2023
Thank you for that True Grace Empowered article. Faith anciently meant - allegiance, commitment, confidence, dedication, devotion, discipleship, faithfulness, fidelity, follower, loyalty. obedience, trust and in the scriptural context it was meant to be to the person and work of Christ Jesus on our behalf. True if one is doing all these works not for Christ Jesus they are empty, null, void. Even in one of the protestant father of the reformation, Martin Luther's writing's he basically said the same as you did. Thank you again. The Atonement, It Is The Central Doctrine, In His Eternal Debt/Grace, Accessing His Grace By Faith, Washing My Garment In His Blood, He Died To Make Man Holy, Its Not Just 6 Words To A Song, They Have Eternal Meaning, Salvation Comes In And Through His Atoning, Blood An In No Other Way.
Kal El Anakin SkywalkerAugust 16, 2023
Thank you for that True Grace Empowered Article. Faith in Greek is pistis which meant Anciently - Allegiance, Commitment, Confidence, Dedication, Devotion, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Fidelity, Follower, Loyalty, Obedience. Trust and in the scriptural context it is to the person and work of Christ Jesus on our behalf. Anciently Faith was a covenant word of action like in a marriage. So, you are 100% correct that if you are not doing these works of Faith for Christ Jesus, they are empty, null, void in his eyes. I have even read that even the Father of the protestant Reformation Martin Luther in one of his writings stated that same as you did. Thank you once again. The Atonement, It Is The Central Doctrine, In His Eternal Debt/Grace, Accessing His Grace By Faith, Washing My Garment In His Blood, He Died To Make Man Holy, Its Not Just 6 Words To A Song They Have Eternal Meaning, Salvation Comes In And Through His Atoning Blood And In No Other Way. Amen, Amen, Amen.
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Ben JonesAugust 21, 2023
CS Lewis once said that arguing about whether faith or works is more important is like arguing about which half of a pair of scissors does the cutting.
MaryannAugust 18, 2023
I agree that a desire to serve with love and commitment to our Savior is the highest form of "works." However, this article is a little bit too "all or nothing." Sometimes people approach an opportunity to serve with what might be called a bad attitude. BUT, after they become involved their hearts are softened and they begin to feel that love. We have often heard the phrase: "If you want to learn to love someone, serve them." This is a great example of the love coming AFTER service rendered. Regarding the example in this article of the woman who complained about serving at a wedding: Instead of assuming that her faith is dead, why didn't someone put their arm around her and say something like this--"It sounds like you are feeling stressed out and overburdened. I am so sorry. Is there something I can do to help?" It should also be remembered that just showing up can be a step in the right direction. We need to be very cautious about judging the quality of someone else's faith. I am grateful that the Lord's plan allows for us to develop faith in different ways. It doesn't really matter whether the faith, or love, or the works come first. What matters is that we continue to grow in love for Him and for His children.
Rochelle HaleAugust 16, 2023
Often, in the examples you have given, we don’t exercise our faith beforehand. I take my turn to clean the church, hoping I wipe away all of the call dust or clean the fingerprints off the windows. I don’t think I ever hoped for faith to fulfill that assignment, but I usually pause while I’m in the building and hope the Lord is pleased with my efforts. I don’t recall exercising faith to prepare a meal for someone, only that I have ingredients on hand and can help with whatever is needed. Many decades ago as a young woman I was taught to make certain decisions ahead of time. That is the nature of faith as well. As we constantly build our reserves, then we can “work” in some situations without having to again ponder our abilities or intentions. We just go and do.
PatAugust 16, 2023
What delightful insights to a 'true story'. I have seldom noticed stories about faith and works and this is one I will surely share with others. Understanding comes with faith so maybe this one will be effective. Hmmm! Thank you very much.
craigAugust 16, 2023
Couldn't agree more. A lot of people don't realize that faith without works is dead , and works without faith is dead as well
KalEl Anakin SkywalkerAugust 16, 2023
Thank you for that True Grace Empowered article. Faith anciently meant - allegiance, commitment, confidence, dedication, devotion, discipleship, faithfulness, fidelity, follower, loyalty. obedience, trust and in the scriptural context it was meant to be to the person and work of Christ Jesus on our behalf. True if one is doing all these works not for Christ Jesus they are empty, null, void. Even in one of the protestant father of the reformation, Martin Luther's writing's he basically said the same as you did. Thank you again. The Atonement, It Is The Central Doctrine, In His Eternal Debt/Grace, Accessing His Grace By Faith, Washing My Garment In His Blood, He Died To Make Man Holy, Its Not Just 6 Words To A Song, They Have Eternal Meaning, Salvation Comes In And Through His Atoning, Blood An In No Other Way.
Kal El Anakin SkywalkerAugust 16, 2023
Thank you for that True Grace Empowered Article. Faith in Greek is pistis which meant Anciently - Allegiance, Commitment, Confidence, Dedication, Devotion, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Fidelity, Follower, Loyalty, Obedience. Trust and in the scriptural context it is to the person and work of Christ Jesus on our behalf. Anciently Faith was a covenant word of action like in a marriage. So, you are 100% correct that if you are not doing these works of Faith for Christ Jesus, they are empty, null, void in his eyes. I have even read that even the Father of the protestant Reformation Martin Luther in one of his writings stated that same as you did. Thank you once again. The Atonement, It Is The Central Doctrine, In His Eternal Debt/Grace, Accessing His Grace By Faith, Washing My Garment In His Blood, He Died To Make Man Holy, Its Not Just 6 Words To A Song They Have Eternal Meaning, Salvation Comes In And Through His Atoning Blood And In No Other Way. Amen, Amen, Amen.
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