Jan 24th

Psalm 62:5-12

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge. Interlude
9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,
    and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
If you weigh them on the scales,
    together they are lighter than a breath of air.
10 Don’t make your living by extortion
    or put your hope in stealing.
And if your wealth increases,
    don’t make it the center of your life.
11 God has spoken plainly,
    and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
12     unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
    according to what they have done.

If you read throughout the entire Bible a couple of times you will notice that once in a while the scriptures reveal a sort of works-righteousness. It’s contrary to orthodox belief but it’s also in the scriptures. It’s in there today in verse 12. It seems as though Christians have a hard time making the claim that you will be saved not by your faith in Christ but by your good works.

Part of reason tradition has rejected works-righteousness theology is because to be saved by your works emphasizes salvation comes from you, and not Christ. So, I totally get it. But what about the millions of people who never hear the gospel? What about them? This is a question that gets so often asked. Or at least it use to when I first started pastoring.

Well, that’s where this work-righteousness theology may actually be helpful. There are instances in the Bible where people and nations are judged not on their faith in a particular God, but in their behavior, or in their repentance. Part of the reason I feel comfortable with works-righteousness is because of prevenient grace.

Prevenient grace is the idea that God’s grace is working in our lives before we notice it, but it’s more than that.It’s more than grace that leads to faith, it’s also grace that leads to good works. Whenever someone does something good, just, encouraging, life changing, for themselves and others, that’s God working through them. Or if you have been following my devotionals, it’s the greatest “good” working through them. So there you have it.

I believe that all of us will be judged by our works.

Many of us will be included because of our faith. But all will be judged by actions .As we should. Actions speak louder than words.

Faith without works is dead.