Our actions are a sure indicator of where we stand. Now we are saved by faith, not by works, but this is often misunderstood. It most certainly does not mean that our actions do not matter. You cannot read any of Paul's letters and come away with the message that actions do not matter. Being saved is NOT a ticket to heaven, that is not what salvation or the gospel is about. It is about a whole new life, about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that a true disciple is identified by their fruit (Matt 7:20), and that obeying the Father is the decisive issue (Matt 7:21), where He also said that not everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is. In John's gospel Jesus said that it is by our love that all men will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35).
Sin is the work of the devil, and Jesus came to overturn the works of the devil. When we are born again an immediate change takes place and a process begins. That process is one of our nature and behaviour being changed. We do less and less of the devil's work (sin), and more and more of God's work.
This verse on overturning the works of the evil one is often interpreted in the wrong sense. It is often applied in the context of healing. Now I fully believe that God can heal and that we should see more healing miracles in this day, but this verse is not talking about healing here. Looked at in context here its primary application is the overturning of sin in our own lives. That is why John is focusing on a test of discipleship being the actions in someone's life. If sin remains unchanged then there is precious little evidence of the activity of the Holy Spirit in that person's life. Conversely if the Spirit is truly in us, then His presence will show itself by changes in our character, our attitudes, and our actions.
We have been called to obedience, and saved for obedience.
No comments:
Post a Comment