Join us as we dissect the interplay between faith and works, a critical topic for Christians seeking a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. With references from both the Old and New Testaments, Jeff Archie illustrates the importance of aligning belief with actions, emphasizing that obedience to God is not just a passive state but an active demonstration of our faith. This episode offers enlightening insights that will encourage you to reflect on your personal walk with God.
With all God has given, is it not a shame for man to not accept, obey, and walk for God? Surely, friends, we see a better life. And you know, the Father gave, and His Son obeyed. Coming up from the International Gospel Hour, let’s think on these things. We’ll be right back.
SPEAKER 01 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you always to our Jay Webb, and greetings to all of you. We are blessed that you are with us, and we are honored for all of our listeners at International Gospel Hour. And may you desire truth and pursue that truth therein, as we note from John 8, 31 and 32, when Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. You know, friends, the lover of truth realizes that obedience to the Lord is essential to one’s salvation. Let’s consider that thought and build on it today. But first, how about another good word from our J-Web about the good work at the Spanish Bible School.
SPEAKER 01 :
International Gospel Hour, in collaboration with SpanishBibleSchool.org, presents a biblical podcast for our Spanish-speaking friends. Please join Marlon Rotana for Christianos Fieles, also known as Faithful Christians, at your favorite podcast platform. That’s Christianos Fieles with Marlon Rotana. You can also hear the broadcast at our website, internationalgospelhour.com.
SPEAKER 02 :
I am indebted to Daryl Broking for our thoughts today. The Father gave, His Son obeyed. From days gone by, the plumb line of January 1996, Brother Broking writes, The plea for obedience is at times countered with, For by grace are you saved, Ephesians 2.8, or, Being justified freely by His grace, Romans 3.24. the tactic is employed to discredit adherence to matters of obligation. Though quotation of Scripture is commendable, however, failure to rightly divide the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2.15, has damning consequences. The faith-only advocate decries obligation to the specific pattern of New Testament Christianity. That salvation is a free gift offered without any effort on man’s part is extolled by some with the diligence and force of a speeding freight train. At times I wonder if more energy is spent advocating this dogma than would be spent obeying the truth. Jesus said, My yoke is easy and my burden is light, Matthew 11 and verse 30, and he did not leave man without obligations. As one considers the Bible, it is evident that there is a type of work forbidden and a type commanded. As far as meritorious works are concerned, Paul said, There is none righteous, no, not one, Romans 3.10. He further recorded the zeal of national Israel in Romans 10, 2 and 3, for I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. Is history repeating itself in the faith-only advocate? Jesus said, When you have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants. We have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17.10 Our righteousness fails, but His avails. Working in conjunction with the doctrine of salvation by faith alone is the imaginative idea that we are not under law today. When Paul said, therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, Romans 3.28, he was comparing the New Testament law with the Old Testament law. And back in Romans 3.27, the inspired apostle defined the faith as law. The works of this Old Testament law are forbidden in this dispensation. In fact, the Christians who engage in the works of the Old Testament law is spiraling downward, slipping away from the Lord’s good grace. Galatians 5.4 As we examine James 2 and verse 24, it is evident that the Lord expects a certain type of work in conjunction with man’s justification. Now notice, you see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only. Those running amok expunging the Bible doctrine of faith wrought with works must ignore the fact that the Scripture’s reference to faith only is one of condemnation. While discussing the gospel as God’s power to save, Paul said that therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, Romans 1, 16 and 17. This is the righteousness that man must submit to or obey. Unto faith is dealing with man’s acceptance and submission to God’s will, and this is the faith discussed in Hebrews 11, 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Now notice that the Hebrew writer discussed coming to God. Who can deny that this coming takes place with effort on man’s part? Is one in the process of coming to work while he is lounging on the sofa viewing television? Will such a one tell his employer that he was at work by faith alone? Will a paycheck be forthcoming? Why then will man attempt to bind a mentality on God that he will not accept in the physical realm? The lover of truth realizes that obedience to the Lord is essential to one’s salvation. It is positioning oneself as an enemy of the Lord, John 15 and verse 14. Regardless of the facade worn by the faith alone proponents, their agenda is an attempt to pilfer and despoil the giver of grace and mercy. Friends, may we never be guilty of this abominable sin. The faith is to be obeyed, Acts 6 and verse 7. Then and only then is man’s soul purified, 1 Peter 1, 22. Again it is written, But God bethink that you were the servants of sin. But you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6, 17 and 18 Serving righteousness is the work in which we must be involved. Isn’t this the lesson we have learned from Christ Himself? God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, John 3, 16. Does the fact that God gave His Son mean that His gift was effortless on the part of the Son? In John 10, 17 and 18, that will answer that question with a resounding no. Though he were a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Hebrews 5, 8 and 9. The father gave, the son obeyed. Friends, that’s some pretty deep thinking thoughts, is it not? And I love the way that Brother Darrell spoke concerning works. And friends, we have to be very careful because we don’t want people to think that you have to work yourself to heaven. There are works that we bring forth because of our faith. That’s an entire study of James chapter 2. And when we think on those things, then we need to realize that when we’ve done all we can do, we are unprofitable servants. Again, Luke 17, 10. I heard it termed this way once, that works are not what a man does to be saved. Works are what a saved man does. Friends, that is worded very well. I mean, after all, James 2.24 said, You see then how by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Writing there to those who are Christians, who allowed their faith to be expressed by the works that they do. And friends, when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, when we believe in God, repent of our sins, confess our faith in Christ, we are buried with Him in baptism. Yes, we have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered. And we want God to make certain that Christ is our author of eternal salvation. and He will be unto all them that obey Him. Yes, the Father gave, and His Son obeyed. And we appreciate this time, as I like to call it, our article segment, to share a good piece of writing from the past, and how thankful we are for the good work that Brother Broking brought forth. And now, friends, I want to share with you some study material that we’ve added some time ago. We’ve had it for a little while now, and a lot of you have requested it. And if you haven’t, we’d like to send it to you. All of our material is absolutely free from International Gospel Hour. Our material is free just for the asking. We’re not placing any obligation on you to mail us a check or any type of love offering. And I’m going to pause and allow our J-Web to tell you about an awesome study booklet called God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin.
SPEAKER 01 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, God and Man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and Man in the message box. another Bible study that is free from IGH, and our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. god-and-man.com We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, friends, we are grateful that you have joined us for our study today in this, our special article study. And we’ll bring these back from time to time here on our broadcast from International Gospel Hour. Now, check out our website at internationalgospelhour.com. See all of our recordings, all of our programs, television, even our Hispanic podcast with Marlon Ratana. And we’ll continue these studies at another time. Thank you for joining me on the International Gospel Hour today. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com. And join us next time.
