All tagged Works

Are we Righteous?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Righteousness

How often do we, as believers, look at ourselves in satisfaction, and then, leaning back at the table, say “I am righteous Father!”?  It is so easy to compare who we are with who we once were, or to stand others up next to us and judge ourselves by their actions and think we are righteous, but we are fooling ourselves. No, our righteousness is judged by God alone, and by a standard that only He can set, but there is hope, mercy, salvation, and grace through Jesus Christ... righteousness on which we can claim no personal ownership, and yet can  receive in full.

Works, Faith, and the lesson of a beautiful Girl

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Faith, Works

Faith, it is not visible except in the works that are created by it. Is it possible to love without expressing that love in some tangible manner; a hug, a kiss, a marriage? No, love drives us to show it to one another, and faith is the same. When we have faith in Jesus, and God, we have no option but to show it to them in some manner. What is very interesting is that doing works of faith usually involves loving or doing something good, or merciful, for another person. We express our love for God by allowing Him to see our hearts, but we show our faith in Him by our obedience to his will... by our works. 

Are we held fast in the fortress of God’s heart?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Relationship, Works

Are we busy pursuing religious things to the point where we are neglecting our worship, and relationship with God? Do we put the things that we do to impress Him, and to show Him our dedication to His cause, above truly loving Him with all our heart, and walking with Him In the cool of the evening? Sometimes we think more of our labors during the day than the quiet times of repose we have with God. When all is said and done, which of these will be our greatest treasure, the things we have built of stone, or the moment of a single hug and kiss given in love?

Are We Exhausted by our Works of Faith?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Works, Rest

Do you witness to others, or are you a teacher, or preacher, of the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you do one or more of these things, or hold any of the other positions of faith... even to the maintenance staff, then you are given a special obligation regarding your diligence in faithfulness, and works, that is above the other believers. If however, you are a believer in the church who is doing well to search out your own salvation every day, you too have an obligation, and it is greater than those who are still lost. Yet all have the basic need to do works in service of our Father, His Son, and His Heavenly Kingdom.

Pinocchio - Are we the Wooden Puppet, or the Real Boy in our Faith?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Salvation, Grace, Daily Devotion, Law

We concentrate on all the things we give up to become righteous, and wallow in statements of sacrifice, but by doing so it is like reading the story of Pinocchio, and never acknowledging that in the end he became a real boy. In pursuing our faith so many of us attempt to eternally strap ourselves to the disappointment in our fallen lives, and miss the amazing and glorious ending that has been won for us by grace through Jesus. Who are you, the sad wooden puppet, or the vibrant and joyful boy?

PAID IN FULL... We can’t Cover the Cost of our Admission!

Richard Forbes
Christian, Works, Gifts, Daily Devotion

We can’t earn our salvation by doing good works, and yet we are saved, and as a result of that salvation we are meant to do good works. This sounds rather confusing doesn’t it? Well on the surface it may appear so, but it is really quite simple. Our admission to eternity is a gift, but once we receive it there will be good things for us to do... not because we must, but as a result of our conversion, and the desire that love instills in us.

Righteous and Holy; From Sinner to Saved, and to Saint

Richard Forbes
Righteousness, Christian, Grace, Daily Devotion, Holiness

Do you feel like you aren’t working hard enough at becoming holy? Do you believe that by your efforts you can become sanctified? Well as much as we might like to think this is possible, it is not. If we depend solely on our own efforts to win holiness then we are certainly lost. So let’s look at how sanctification is possible. How am I ever to become Holy?