Our Great Work Of Faith

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, 

being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith,

 and I have works: shew me thy faith without works, 

and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 2:17-18

     There is a search among Christians in every denomination: blessing! Oh! How we want to be blessed! We will go to almost any length to get a blessing from God. If what is said sounds good and is believed to bring a blessing: we will do it! Do I have to speak in some "gibberish" sounding voice as though it is spiritual? Ok! I will do it: if I can get from God, even man, a blessing.Let us see by what means we may obtain the divine blessing.

Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider what are the means (Literally, “what are the ways of His blessing.”) of possessing it. Let us think (Literally, “unroll.”) over the things which have taken place from the beginning. For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith? Isaac, with perfect confidence, as if knowing what was to happen, (Some translate, “knowing what was to come.”) cheerfully yielded himself as a sacrifice Jacob, through reason (So Jacobson: Wotton reads, “fleeing from his brother.”) of his brother, went forth with humility from his own land, and came to Laban and served him; and there was given to him the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Whosoever will candidly consider each particular, will recognise the greatness of the gifts which were given by him. (The meaning is here very doubtful. Some translate, “the gifts which were given to Jacob by Him,” i.e., God.) For from him  (MS. αὐτῶν, referring to the gifts: we have followed the emendation αὐτοῦ, adopted by most editors. Some refer the word to God, and not Jacob.) have sprung the priests and all the Levites who minister at the altar of God. From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. (Comp. Rom. ix. 5.) From him [arose] kings, princes, and rulers of the race of Judah. Nor are his other tribes in small glory, inasmuch as God had promised, “Thy seed shall be as the stars of heaven.” (Gen. xxii. 17, Gen. xxviii. 4.) All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

     But let us not give up the practice of good works and love. God Himself is an example to us of good works.

What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His works. For by His infinitely great power He established the heavens, and by His incomprehensible wisdom He adorned them. He also divided the earth from the water which surrounds it, and fixed it upon the immoveable foundation of His own will. The animals also which are upon it He commanded by His own word (Or, “commandment.”) into existence. So likewise, when He had formed the sea, and the living creatures which are in it, He enclosed them [within their proper bounds] by His own power. Above all, (Or, “in addition to all.”) with His holy and undefiled hands He formed man, the most excellent [of His creatures], and truly great through the understanding given him— the express likeness of His own image. For thus says God: “Let us make man in Our image, and after Our likeness. So God made man; male and female He created them.” (Gen. i. 26, 27.) Having thus finished all these things, He approved them, and blessed them, and said, “Increase and multiply.” (Gen. i. 28.) We see, (Or, “let us consider.”) then, how all righteous men have been adorned with good works, and how the Lord Himself, adorning Himself with His works, rejoiced. Having therefore such an example, let us without delay accede to His will, and let us work the work of righteousness with our whole strength.

       Great is the reward of good works with God. Joined together in harmony, let us implore that reward from Him.

The good servant (Or, “labourer.”) receives the bread of his labour with confidence; the lazy and slothful cannot look his employer in the face. It is requisite, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of well-doing; for of Him are all things. And thus He forewarns us: “Behold, the Lord [cometh], and His reward is before His face, to render to every man according to his work.” (Isa. xl. 10, Isa. lxii. 11; Rev. xxii. 12.) He exhorts us, therefore, with our whole heart to attend to this, (The text here seems to be corrupt. Some translate, “He warns us with all His heart to this end, that,” etc. that we be not lazy or slothful in any good work.) Let our boasting and our confidence be in Him. Let us submit ourselves to His will. Let us consider the whole multitude of His angels, how they stand ever ready to minister to His will. For the Scripture saith, “Ten thousand times ten thousand stood around Him, and thousands of thousands ministered unto Him, (Dan. vii. 10.) and cried, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the Lord of Sabaoth; the whole creation is full of His glory.” (Isa. vi. 3.) And let us therefore, conscientiously gathering together in harmony, cry to Him earnestly, as with one mouth, that we may be made partakers of His great and glorious promises. For [the Scripture] saith, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which He hath prepared for them that wait for Him.” (1 Cor. ii. 9.) 

Works: how we love works! Works are good, that is, they are good if they are founded upon Authentic Christian Faith. What is a good work? Going to Church? Going to a Bible study? Working in a food bank? Teaching Sunday School? Becoming a Missionary? Helping to build homes, Churches, hospitals? All are good works and are important for Authentic Christians to do, and to show the love of Jesus Christ.

 When was the last time you intentionally spoke to someone about the Gospel? When did you intentionally bring the Gospel to your neighbor, or bring the Gospel to homes in your town? Is this not the work, the primary work of an Authentic Christian? Have obtained literature that you can give to another? If not, why not? Are you seeking the approval of this world, approval from your bosses? Are you hoarding up treasures of this world, bigger and better homes, bigger and better cars, etc., and then speak so humbly about those in other lands that do not have enough food, or shelter, or medical care (you may even shed a tear). Is this not speaking from both sides of your mouth? Are you doing all that you can even if it only writing a letter, well in this day you might use the internet, or making a phone call, checking up on the ones who may not have been at the last Church service? How are you spending you money? 

Christianity did not become as wide spread as it has become just by men who were leaders. Christianity spread because the Gospel was taken to others by ordinary men and women. What will you do to be like them?

They shall lift up their voice, 

     they shall sing for the majesty

of the LORD, they shall cry aloud 

    from the sea. Wherefore glorify

ye the LORD in the fires, even the name

    of the LORD God of Israel in the isles 

 of the sea.

                    Isaiah 24:14-15

Sing out the Gospel: this is our work

Richard L. Crumb