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The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack. Answering life’s
greatest questions straight from the Bible, and announcing the wonderful good news of
the World to Come.
We have been discussing real, biblical faith, including common misconceptions. We also examined
the Bible definition of faith, and the difference between human faith and Christ's faith. We
saw it is impossible to please God without faith. We also learned one condition to having
true faith. Other conditions exist, and this final part reveals them.
The vast majority of people are confused about this all-important topic. But you need not
be among them. You can have real faith.
Most people believe the only faith needed for salvation is to "just believe." It is
popular to recite, "if you shall confess with your mouth...and believe in your heart...you
shall be saved" and "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
But is this all there is to receiving salvation? Can it really be this easy? If so, the Bible
should be two verses long. The rest of it becomes unnecessary!
It is amazing how millions of people are content to accept outright twisting of the Bible in
order to practice a Christianity of their own devising. The apostle Peter wrote, "no
prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation"---and this is true of every
Bible doctrine. All verses pertaining to any matter must be taken together to have the
complete picture. Seizing "pet verses," and taking them out of context, leads to deception,
confusion and ignorance. What about law, sin, grace, faith and works?
Do these bring any requirements to those who practice true faith? Is faith alone sufficient
for everything? Or must Christians obey God? Are any works attached to salvation? Most
people believe the answers to these questions are "no." They want to believe Christ "died
for their sins," and they are saved by "faith alone" without doing anything about sin in
their lives. Human nature does not want to obey God. Yet Paul taught, "Not the hearers
of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."
If the law is done away, nobody can be guilty of sin. But Romans 3:23 states, "All have
sinned..." How is this possible if there is no law to be kept?
Several things must be considered. I John 3:4 states, "sin is the transgression of the
law." All professing Christians are certainly willing to acknowledge Jesus "died for their
sins," but they continue with the assumption that, because He died for past sins, they
no longer need to worry about future ones. This is a ridiculous argument. Yet it has
effectively swallowed hundreds of millions of people for nearly 2,000 years.
Consider Ephesians: "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it [the faith] is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." People
love to quote this. It is also common for people to quote Romans: "By the deeds of the
law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight..." Few are willing to read the very
next phrase, which says, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." We could ask: What
would be the purpose of having any law except for keeping it? Would its purpose be to demonstrate
people may freely break it without worrying because Jesus "died for their sins?"
The purpose of God's Law has never been to forgive sin or bring justification. (No law
could do this.) This is what the blood of Christ is for---and it is why mankind needs
a Savior. The purpose of the law is to point out sin!
Think about prison systems in most countries of the world. Convicted criminals are sometimes
pardoned or their sentences are commuted. Others are released from prison early through
what's called "shock probation." Are these people pardoned and released with the idea
they can re-enter society to repeat the exact same crimes that put them in prison? Of course
not! The very idea is absurd. The police would
simply re-arrest them and incarcerate them again---probably with a stronger sentence!
How is it that so many can believe the judgment of the great God of the universe somehow requires
less justice with His Law than do civil authorities with theirs? It insults God to suggest He
would give His Son for people's spiritual crimes---sins---only to see them continue
in the very things that required Christ's death.
What pitiful human logic! To believe the deception that forgiveness,
through Christ's blood, permits people to freely break the law is hypocrisy. It not
only insults God, and the intelligence of His Master Plan, it ignores the following
extensive verses in James 2. This plain passage explains how law, sin, faith and works fit
together. Carefully consider this longer passage: "What
does it profit...though a man say he has faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?...Even
so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone...I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils [demons] also believe, and
tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham
our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? See
you how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?...You see
then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
Like demons, many people do believe God exists. However, most of them do not tremble at the
existence of God---but demons do! Remember, we must never "add to God's Word,"
because "every word of it is pure." God says what He means and means what He says. The
above verses do not teach works save us. They do teach that faith must be accompanied by
works. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he asked, "What then? Shall we sin, because
we are not under the law [meaning under its penalty], but under grace? God forbid."
What about grace, faith and works? How do they work together? Notice again: "Shall we
continue in sin [breaking the law], that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that
are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" The answer to Paul's rhetorical question is
obvious. We cannot. Finally, notice how the Bible asks, "Do we then make void the law
through faith?" It answers its own question. "God forbid: yes, we establish the law." The
ministers of this world generally permit people to break God's Law---usually because they
want their congregation to pay them a salary---but God forbids law-breaking!
The devil will not obey God's Law because he hates it. Neither will "his ministers."
They deliberately ignore these verses and many others. They deceive people who seem
to willingly accept their shallow arguments---arguments ignorant of the plain truth of Scripture.
Paul taught that God's Law is holy, just, good and spiritual. David said it endures
forever and is perfect. James calls the Ten Commandments "the royal law...of liberty."
Jesus said it will never be done away---that heaven and earth would disappear before the
Law did. Deceiving impostors teach that Christians must focus on "just having love," while ignoring
plain scriptures like Romans 13:10, which says, "Love is the fulfilling of the law."
(Also see I John 5:1-3.) No wonder the apostle John said that any who claim to "know [Christ],
and keeps not His commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him."
Strong words! I have known many people who claimed to know Christ but did not keep the
commandments, including the 4th one. You saw how God views them.
It takes faith in Christ for the Christian to be able to keep God's Law. Recall Christ
said that He could of His own self do nothing, and that the Father did the works in Him.
Jesus kept the Law perfectly, and a Christian "follow[s] His steps."
With God's help, you will be able to keep the commandments. Do not ever allow anyone
to tell you otherwise. This book, The Ten Commandments---"Nailed
to the Cross" or Required for Salvation?, will answer every question you have about
obedience to God. Jesus never taught that people should just
"believe on Him" to receive salvation. When a young rich man asked Him what he must do
to have "eternal life"---to receive salvation---Jesus answered, "If you will enter into life, keep
the commandments." Hearing this, the disciples were shocked.
They did not understand how this was possible, and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus
answered, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." You cannot
keep God's Law, but Christ in you can---if you have true, living faith!
God gives His Spirit only to those who obey Him. Obedience is preceded by repentance and
baptism, with the Holy Spirit being given at this point, upon one's repentance of breaking
God's Law. (Read Acts 2:38.) Jesus said, "In vain do they worship Me, teaching
for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold
the tradition of men." Did you realize it is possible to worship Christ in vain---that
it is possible to think about Him, talk about Him and even use His name often and still
do all of this in vain! Notice: "Not every one that says unto Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ["of," not "in," heaven]; but He that
does the will of My Father which is in heaven." Remember, it is the doers of the law that
will be justified. Paul told Timothy, "Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life." Faith is more than a battle. It is a war that all Christians
wage throughout their lives! And it is not an easy war, won in a single battle. It involves
many battles. The apostle Jude tells Christians, "You should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." The next verse
warns of "certain men" who had "crept in unawares" into the early Church, diluting it with false
teachings, which destroys the Church's foundation---that of holding to the true doctrines of the Bible.
The meaning of real faith also became corrupted in the minds of many at that time. Sadly,
history shows people have always been willing to let deceivers reduce Christianity to little
more than "just believing." Do not fall for this.
We have discussed how Christians must keep God's Law, while they are at the same time
justified by the faith of Christ. The book of Revelation records, "Here is the patience
of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
There is a reason this verse joins patience, commandment keeping and Jesus' faith. They
are inseparable. Christians are able to keep the commandments, but only through the faith
of Jesus. It takes patience to do this throughout a lifetime. Yet this is exactly what true
Christians---saints---must continually do. There is an Old Testament verse that is so
important it appears twice more in the New Testament. Habakkuk 2:4 says, "The just shall
live by his faith." This is a powerful statement about faith as a way of life! It is the faith
of each person (notice the singular word "his") that guides individuals through life. This
verse is cited to show God has always taught that His true servants must have real faith.
Faith has never been merely a New Testament requirement for salvation. In fact, some of
the greatest examples of faith are found throughout the Old Testament. Actually, every example
found in the "faith chapter" of Hebrews 11 lived in Old Testament times. This did not
keep them from being "witnesses" to the awesome power of properly understood faith.
Two verses repeat Habakkuk almost verbatim: "The just shall live by faith." The definition
of faith follows immediately on the heels of Hebrews 10:38. Again, God could not require
people to live by faith and then not tell them what it is! In the very same verse 38,
God continues, "but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Where faith is lacking, God is not pleased! Faith is not merely something you exercise
during life's moments of crisis. It is not just something to consider when "things aren't
going well." In other words, faith is not just for the "bad times"---it is full-time!
Grasp this vital point. Faith is completely inseparable from the entire spiritual understanding
through which you are to confront every issue you face in the Christian walk.
All people on Earth will be sorely tested in the years just ahead. Make no mistake!
Without real faith no one will survive the terrible calamities foretold to occur just
prior to Jesus' soon-coming Return. Operating on human steam or ingenuity will not be sufficient
to survive the great crisis coming at the close of this age! Complete faith in all of
God's promises will be required---and needed. Let's ask: What does the true Christ expect
of His followers? He commanded, "Repent...and believe the gospel."
The Bible adds, "God...commands all men everywhere to repent"---meaning to change their thoughts,
attitudes, words and actions, and to live the only way He always intended. God is calling
but a select few into the understanding of His truth, to live His way of life.
It takes faith to change, to reject the pulls of the flesh, the devil and society, and permit
Christ to live in you through His Spirit. It means growing from human faith to the faith
of Christ, to come under Jesus' authority, and to submit to His government, administered
in His Church. Being called into the way of true Christianity
means you must permit God to build His holy, righteous, perfect character within you---a
lifelong process involving time, trials, tests and lessons. You must yield yourself as clay
to the Master Potter, and put your will aside. You must voluntarily choose to, as Jesus said,
"enter you in at the strait gate [the difficult gate]: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there: because strait
is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find
it [the Greek means, are finding it, present progressive]."
With God's Way come endless benefits for faithful obedience. This means "We [have] confidence
toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments,
and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."
Jesus set the example, the pattern for overcoming sin and focusing one's life on being born
into the kingdom of God. There are two opposing ways of life. One is
described as the way of "give," the other of "get." One of the greatest teachings of
Jesus is "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Of course, He set the ultimate
example by giving Himself for mankind. The give way for Christians begins with recognizing
they belong to God as "living sacrifices." Being called also means being willing to "endure
hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"---to untangle and disengage "himself with the affairs
of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier." It means a life
of waging spiritual warfare---but also of enjoying unbounded happiness at the same time!
The way of true Christianity is infinitely more than mere talk---it requires action.
It brings with it security, peace of mind, excitement, thrilling news of God's Work,
and a host of blessings---including the greatest one: hearing Jesus say upon His Return, "Well
done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make
you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord." In other words, receive
rulership under the glorified Christ in His kingdom.
God's is a way leading to inheritance of "all things" as "heirs of God, and joint-heirs
with Christ," who is called "the firstborn among many brethren."
But the path to God's kingdom is not easy. Building character is the only thing one can
carry into eternal life, for "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God."
It will not be easy to follow and practice God's truths and believe His promises. Almost
45 years of doing this have taught me this lesson---deeply! God will test your faith---and
the devil will tempt you to abandon it. Have no doubt of this. I have also learned that
God will always deliver, no matter how dark circumstances seem.
I grew up in a comfortable home. Then God called me at age 17 and the real trials began.
By age 23, I was married and had an infant son of less than four months old. My wife
had nearly died in childbirth and had lost her milk because of it. She could not nurse
our son. During this brief period, I did not have a full-time job in the ministry. I had
lost my salary. I was unemployed and we were struggling with significant debt from our
college years. We were living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Even the car's heater had ceased
to function, and it was late November. Space does not permit me to describe all the trials
we were facing at just that one time. Our faith was being sorely tested!
I will never forget one particular moment. We were, quite literally, down to our last
dime. There was almost no gas in the car or food in the house. Our baby was crying and
we had nothing to feed him. I had a single dime in my pocket. I pulled it out and held
it up to the light over our kitchen table. My wife and I determined we would trust God
to provide for us. He did!
That evening (I remember it was a Thursday night), my wife was asked to teach two flute
lessons and was paid 7 dollars. She immediately bought milk for the baby. I received a job
the next morning (Friday), and my boss offered to advance me a full paycheck the first day
I arrived. God had answered our prayers and left us with a faith-building experience that
we never forgot. I have recalled it often, when times were difficult. I still draw strength
from God's intervention when I needed it---and numerous other similar interventions in my
life! Every day has not been "sunny." I have had
to face many obstacles in my 40 years in the ministry. This very Work is a work of faith.
God never fails to provide for our needs. The hindrance of accusers, slanderers, liars
and outright enemies has, at times, been an almost daily way of life for us. God has never
failed His Work. In the end, He always defeats those who seek
to overthrow His purpose. He has always protected and delivered our staff through "thick and
thin." I am confidently assured---I have faith---He will continue to do this. You can also develop
confident assurance---faith---that God will always deliver you.
Typically, people think of faith as something they work up or express toward God so that
He will do something for them. Actually, the real case is often exactly the opposite! Many
times, faith is something God gives to a person so he will have the strength to do something
for Him---usually to fulfill His overall purpose. I have seen this in my life over and over
again. If you ask God, He will do the same for you.
Sometimes you must exercise the fruit of faith---and sometimes you may need to ask for the gift
of faith, in order to face the most severe trials or most difficult decisions in your
life. The Bible lists 9 separate fruits of the Spirit
and 9 different gifts of the Spirit. Faith is the only quality of spiritual character
mentioned in both lists. It is both a fruit and a gift of the Spirit. God often chooses
to grant extra faith to certain people---as a gift---because in some way it is necessary
in the fulfillment of His purpose. Remember, even the very Spirit of God is given
to us. The opportunity to learn to exercise the fruit of faith also starts with a gift---the
faith-containing Holy Spirit. God will give you the very same faith that was once in Jesus
Christ. Matthew and Luke record an important parallel
account regarding faith. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat when a tremendous storm arose.
The disciples became terribly frightened, while Jesus was asleep. This account reflects
the dramatic difference between the faith that Jesus had and the fear that governs the
thinking of most human beings. Notice the account records that they "awoke Him, saying,
Lord, save us: we perish." The disciples thought they were about to die. They lacked even basic
human confidence that, with Christ in the boat, this could not happen.
Jesus' response is instructive for all today. He asked two questions---with one in each
gospel. Let's connect them. In Matthew, He asked the disciples, "Why are you fearful,
O you of little faith?" In Luke's account Jesus was more blunt when He asked His disciples,
"Where is your faith?" Of course, the disciples were not converted at this point. Lacking
the Holy Spirit, they were not able to develop godly faith. Apparently they did not even
have temporary human faith at the time. Christ's two towering questions remain for all people---Why
are you fearful?---and Where is your faith? Just as Jesus' disciples went on to learn
and practice great faith in their lives---and their writings record that they also taught
its meaning to many others---so must God's true servants today answer these questions
in their lives. I now ask you: Why are you fearful? And Where is your faith? Here is
a vital booklet, What Is Real Faith? Be sure to read it. It teaches the points that this
series has explained, principles taught nowhere else.
We began with Hebrews 11:6 stating, "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]." God
wants you to learn to rely on Him---to trust Him completely in everything! You really do
not have a choice if you want to please Him. Like any human father, God does not want you
to fret, worry and agonize over your needs. In numerous places throughout His Word, He
promises to provide for you in all circumstances. He will always take care of you. Do not doubt!
Believe God! Trust Him! Wait on Him! Expect Him to keep all of His promises---and He will!
Faith is your evidence! Until next time, this is David C. Pack saying,
"Goodbye, friends."
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