Work Mongers

[JM]

Recently I have spoken with a few Pastors who emphasize performing acts of piety and charity over and what seems to be against biblical study and knowledge of God. I never really considered personal piety to be from any other root then the preaching of the Gospel and our knowledge of God found in scripture. I've heard this a few times now and wondered how you would respond to it,

"when you die Jesus isn't going to ask you what you know but what have you done."
​

In general I agree that we are to act upon our beliefs but it seems to me there is a disconnect between knowledge of God and our actions. From the recent discussions I get the impression that I am to set aside my study of the word and work, work, work. Is this common?

Is it valid to say our actions cannot be divorced from our knowledge of God?

Are you folks familiar with this line of reasoning and what is their point?

That we are to work to prove we believe or that we find assurance for our salvation in our performance?

jm

 

[Orange_County_Chopper]

Sounds like works religion again, and social gospel, small g emphasized. The "be Jesus to the world" crowd, *pukes.

 

[Eddie L]

I believe in the twofold ministry of Jesus. There are whose who emphasize service to the exclusion of teaching, and those who emphasize teaching/knowledge to the exclusion of service. In my view, both of those are imbalanced.

 

[twin1954]

Sheep don't need to be driven in order for them to act like sheep. They do the things sheep do by nature. All true believers don't need to be driven to work they just do it by their new nature. The Lord never defined eternal life by knowledge and works but simply by knowledge of Him who is the only true God. John 17:3. Paul didn't seek anything but to know Him and be found in Him. Phil. 3:9-10

Natural false religion always wants to mix in a little work with faith. But if you ever find out what it is to rest in Christ you will know what it is to be free to work.

 

[JM]

Blogged it.



Sheep « Feileadh Mor

 

[JM]

Posts I have blogged by twin.

Ron Wood « Feileadh Mor

 

[bricklayer]

Recently I have spoken with a few Pastors who emphasize performing acts of piety and charity over and what seems to be against biblical study and knowledge of God. I never really considered personal piety to be from any other root then the preaching of the Gospel and our knowledge of God found in scripture. I've heard this a few times now and wondered how you would respond to it,

"when you die Jesus isn't going to ask you what you know but what have you done." ​

In general I agree that we are to act upon our beliefs but it seems to me there is a disconnect between knowledge of God and our actions. From the recent discussions I get the impression that I am to set aside my study of the word and work, work, work. Is this common?

Is it valid to say our actions cannot be divorced from our knowledge of God?

Are you folks familiar with this line of reasoning and what is their point?

That we are to work to prove we believe or that we find assurance for our salvation in our performance?

jm

Knowledge without understanding is, to me, an irritant. I would rather understand what little I know. To be honest, what I come to learn I find in pursuit of understanding what I already knew.

The Word of God is tested. Understanding comes to me as I put the Word to the test. On the outside, that looks like works. The truth is that it's just an experiment, a part in the process of sanctification.

Intellectually, to me, nothing is really ever proven; it's just that all of the other ideas that I've considered have been dis-proven. What remains is what I am left to believe.

Externally, my love for Wisdom (understanding what to do with what I know) looks like "good works". But really, I'm just chase'in Jesus.