Rest and works

Rest and works

It is unambiguously clear that our salvation rests entirely on the grace of God. But Scripture does not, however, encourage us to rest on our laurels, but to act according to our faith. James reminds us of Abraham saying “that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect…” Faith alone without works is incomplete. Faith and works form a whole. A believing person does not, however, do certain works in order to be saved, but because they have been saved.

Jesus told a parable of servants, each of whom received a certain amount of wealth with which they were expected to trade. The two servants who caused the wealth to increase heard their master say to them: Well done! So it was not the intention merely to preserve the property entrusted to them, but to make it increase. According to this example we too are expected to act in a way that causes the gifts of God entrusted to us to bear fruit.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians and at the same time communicated to us that both willing and doing are central elements of the Christian walk: “I give my judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.”

And further the same apostle showed Titus also how God expects us to act, and not only wait for something to happen: “…who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.”

With regard to our salvation we are in the greatest rest, but to make our faith perfect — that is, a complete whole — we trade with what we have received from God. And he that is faithful in a very little shall be set over much.

Scripture:

Matt 25 2 Cor 8 Titus 2 James 2