WITNESSING FOR JESUS
Jesus said let our light shine. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16.
Jesus said that we are the light of the world. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”. Jesus wants us to “boast” so much that when people see our light they will glorify our Father in Heaven.
Compare and contrast with what the apostle Paul had said. He said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Paul doesn't want us to show our good work. He wants us to show our faith. Doesn't Paul know that faith cannot save us unless the Lord also has faith in us? Faith is a two-way street! We must prove to God that we are worthy to receive His salvation. Do you think that God will give salvation to demons who believe or have faith in Him? No, He would not. Do we think that Paul is smarter than God? If we say that we do not think that Paul is smarter than God, do you believe that we are stupid for believing what Paul said? How could God grant salvation to people who have not proven that they are worthy of salvation? And how can we prove to God that we are worthy of salvation if not through work?
Jesus said let our light shine. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16. How can we let our light shine if not through work, how?
First of all, Paul doesn’t understand that we are saved by work. The only individual who was saved by grace is the thief on the cross. The thief on the cross is an exception. If he is not dying on the cross Jesus wants him to repent. But the thief on the cross has no more chance to repent. He has no more time to repent. He is dying.
The Good Thief has shown remorse when he said to the Unrepentant Thief, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43
The Good Thief has surrendered Himself to God. That was his work that earned him salvation.
Compare and contrast with what the apostle Paul had said. He said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Paul doesn't want us to show our good work. He wants us to show our faith. Doesn't Paul know that faith cannot save us unless the Lord also has faith in us? Faith is a two-way street! We must prove to God that we are worthy to receive His salvation. Do you think that God will give salvation to demons who believe or have faith in Him? No, He would not. Do we think that Paul is smarter than God? If we say that we do not think that Paul is smarter than God, do you believe that we are stupid for believing what Paul said? How could God grant salvation to people who have not proven that they are worthy of salvation? And how can we prove to God that we are worthy of salvation if not through work?
Jesus said let our light shine. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16. How can we let our light shine if not through work, how?
First of all, Paul doesn’t understand that we are saved by work. The only individual who was saved by grace is the thief on the cross. The thief on the cross is an exception. If he is not dying on the cross Jesus wants him to repent. But the thief on the cross has no more chance to repent. He has no more time to repent. He is dying.
The Good Thief has shown remorse when he said to the Unrepentant Thief, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43
The Good Thief has surrendered Himself to God. That was his work that earned him salvation.
Comments