This blog will contain some insight for those who have experienced spiritual abuse and will also hopefully help to educate those who would like to learn about it. 
Work Is Love Made Visible
Posted January 19th, 2008 at 10:44 PM by Lois
I want to share this brief thought. It goes with what works actually is. As most of us found, the UPC and performance based churches often like to point to James, where he says that faith without works is dead, in order to support some of their teachings.
One day at my old workplace, I was looking through a book we had of graphics which we could use in advertisements. In the religious section, one caught my attention. It said, "Work is love made visible".
I think this is a good way to summarize exactly what James was teaching. Ephesians tells us that we are saved through faith and not works; yet James says faith without works is dead. Are these contrary the one to the other? No, they are not. (More could be said on this, but not in this posting.)
The example James uses to show works have to do with our actions toward others. Jesus stated that if we love him, we will keep his commandments. The works that we do come from the love in our hearts. These works will never save us, nor make us righteous, nor gain us any special standing with God. They are simply the evidence of what is in our hearts.
Work is love made visible. I like that!
One day at my old workplace, I was looking through a book we had of graphics which we could use in advertisements. In the religious section, one caught my attention. It said, "Work is love made visible".
I think this is a good way to summarize exactly what James was teaching. Ephesians tells us that we are saved through faith and not works; yet James says faith without works is dead. Are these contrary the one to the other? No, they are not. (More could be said on this, but not in this posting.)
The example James uses to show works have to do with our actions toward others. Jesus stated that if we love him, we will keep his commandments. The works that we do come from the love in our hearts. These works will never save us, nor make us righteous, nor gain us any special standing with God. They are simply the evidence of what is in our hearts.
Work is love made visible. I like that!
Total Comments 2
Comments
|
Lois,
Here's something that helped me a lot with that passage in James: When's the last time you had to remind yourself to breathe? If you're alive & healthy, you will breathe. In fact, that one of the ways we figure out if someone is alive or not. It's a vital sign. If you're a Christian & healthy, you will have other "vital signs" that are a natural consequence of being alive in Christ. Just my $.02! |
Posted January 20th, 2008 at 02:11 PM by recoveringpentecostal
|
|
|
My pastor continually is saying that the outward appearance is a reflection of our love for the Lord...that our love will show is our hair and dress. What you said, Lois, makes a lot of sense to me...now to apply it in a church that has no tolerance for "rebellion." I am striving to be a healthy Christian...not a dysfunctional one. Removing myself from the "family" is not an option at this time, so I am trying to find a way to become healthy in an unhealthy environment. Please pray for me!
|
|
Posted November 14th, 2008 at 05:04 PM by catrinka
|
Post a Comment
|
Recent Blog Entries by Lois
- Videos On Television (August 24th, 2012)
- When A Pastor Morally Fails (August 9th, 2012)
- T.D. Jakes Embraces Trinity, Leaves Oneness Beliefs (January 29th, 2012)
- Newspaper Article on Church Rules (January 23rd, 2012)
- Marjoe Movie- Watch For Free (January 22nd, 2012)
