Faith, Love, and Works - Bonus Sermon!

-Somehow I neglected posting this one back at the beginning. So here it is.-

Often we try to combat the false doctrine of “Faith Only” by saying, “No! You have to do works too!” While this is certainly a true statement, the way we usually handle it allows everyone involved to use their precomposed responses and answers and defenses for their respective doctrine, and sadly, opportunities are lost this way. Perhaps it behooves us to consider it from a different perspective, yet still well within the confines of scripture. Perhaps if we come at it from a slightly different scriptural perspective, we can get past the immediate responses, and be more effective, as well as enhancing our understanding of God’s will and word.

Matthew 22:34-40 -First of all, Love God
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear and obey

Is Solomon, using God’s wisdom and inspired to write this book, contradicting Jesus? Obviously not. Perhaps they write of two different things, and the most important thing for us to do is not the same as the whole of man? I don’t think so. I think they are saying the same thing, yet in different words. Love is fear (I think we can correctly define this as reverential faith) and obedience (actually doing the works God wants us to do).

The Greek (although I do not claim to be a Greek scholar whatsoever) of what we’re looking at bears this out nicely, I think.

Faith = pistis = a firm persuasion or trust
Works = ergon = work, employment, or a task
Love = agapao = an active love of service, sacrifice, and working for the good of another

So, essentially:

pistis + ergon = agapao

Let us recognize that love, faith, and works are all necessary for us:
I Corinthians 16:22 -If no love, then be anathema
Hebrews 11:6 -No faith, then no pleasing God
Hebrews 5:9 -Salvation is for those who obey

Let us consider the close relationship between these three things.

Works and Love
John 14:15 -If you love Christ, obey Him
I John 2:15-17 -Love not the world (ie, love God) and do His will
I John 4:7-12 -Love requires action, even on God’s side of things
I John 5:3 -Love is keeping His commandments
II John 6 -Love is walking in obedience

Faith and Love
I Corinthians 13:13 -Love is greater than faith
I Peter 1:8 -See and love what we do not yet see
II Thessalonians 2:10-12 -No faith, then no love
John 8:42-47 -They have no love for Christ, so they lack faith
John 5:36-47 -They lack faith in Christ, so they have no love for God

Faith and Works
John 6:29 -Faith is a work
Mark 16:16 -Faith is coupled with obedient action for salvation
Acts 2:38 -Inherent (in their question) faith must be acted on for salvation
James 2:14-26 -Living faith requires works
Romans 10:17 -The word leads to faith
II Timothy 3:16-17 -The word leads to and prepares for works
Hebrews 11:6 -Faith is coupled with active seeking
Hebrews 3:16-19 -Unbelief is equated with wrong actions and sin

And of course, we recognize that works/obedience is not the action of earning your way into heaven, but simply fulfilling what we were designed to do. It’s nothing exception, just fulfilling a basic function. Just as people do not earn raises and promotions through the minimum, so doing works does not earn heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-10 -We are made for good works
I Corinthians 9:17 -Simply fulfilling a charge
Hebrews 13:20-21 -Equipped by God to do His will

These three things are inseparable. Faith and works are both necessary for love. If you properly love someone, do you not seek out things to DO to please them? And can you love someone you have no faith or trust in, or do now know? Of course not! We understand this in our physical, mortal lives. How can we not understand and apply this to our spiritual life and relationship with God?

And of course, as in all things, there is an opposite side. What if you do not live obediently? What if you lack faith? What if you do not love God?

Philippians 3:18-19 -Enemies of Christ have their mind (ie love) on earthly things
II Timothy 3:1-5 -Lovers of self (not God) are disobedient
Titus 1:16 -Those who do not know God (and thus, no faith) are disobedient
Revelation 21:8 -Outside are the unbelieving, idolaters (who love something more than God), and those who practice evil (are disobedient)

So the question we have to ask ourselves is, quite simply, do we love God? We have looked at what it is to love God. Do you put your faith in Him? That’s more than just believing that He is, but rather putting your trust and confidence in Him. Are you obedient to His will? Are you willing to do the simple things He requires? Are you willing to not do the things He says not to do? Do you love Jesus? Will you not now put your faith in Him and obey?