Christian Living
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Revelation 14:13
Many people have attacked Paul Washer who do not understand the gospel. So I've addressed in this brief posting how faith and works fit together in salvation.
I've watch many videos of Paul Washer and from what I can tell Paul Washer preaches the true gospel of salvation. He believes and teaches what the scriptures teach:
"For by grace are you saved, through faith and that not of yourselfs; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." Eph 2:8-9
Where do works fit in? Well Ephesians 2:10 is seldom quoted by people like Steve Anderson, a pastor from Arizona. I've seen Steve's preaching and while he speaks the truth on some matters he denies the sovereignty of God. I fear this man has fallen victim to an easy believism false gospel of carnal Christianity which is preached from all too many pulpits today.
Let's look at that Ephesians 2:10
"For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Let us see what the wise Matthew Henry says on this passage for his commentary on the Bible is usually very instructive and accurate.
"It appears that all is of grace, because all our spiritual advantages are from God. We are his workmanship; he means in respect of the new creation; not only as men, but as saints. The new man is a new creature; and God is its Creator. It is a new birth, and we are born or begotten of his will. In Christ Jesus, that is, on the account of what he has done and suffered, and by the influence and operation of his blessed Spirit. Unto good works, &c. The apostle having before ascribed this change to divine grace in exclusion of works, lest he should seem thereby to discourage good works, he here observes that though the change is to be ascribed to nothing of that nature (for we are the workmanship of God), yet God, in his new creation, has designed and prepared us for good works: Created unto good works, with a design that we should be fruitful in them. Wherever God by his grace implants good principles, they are intended to be for good works. Which God hath before ordained, that is, decreed and appointed. Or, the words may be read, To which God hath before prepared us, that is, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and with the assistance of his Holy Spirit; and by producing such a change in us. That we should walk in them, or glorify God by an exemplary conversation and by our perseverance in holiness"
Works always follow faith into heaven as the scriptures above prove. If we have no works then our faith is proven false. An intellectual belief in the gospel can reside in a carnal professor which will only lead to damnation.
How ignorant are some who do not know that faith without works is DEAD. If you say you have faith and have no works can that faith save you asks James? The answer is no.
"What doth it profit my brethren, through a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? "But wilt thou know oh 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? (James 2:14,20,21)
Examine yourself professing Christian to see if you are in the faith as the apostle Paul has exhorted us in 2 Cor. 13:5.
Perhaps you have the faith of devils. I once did. For many years I was a professing Christian (about fourty years) before experiencing true repentance and faith. I continually sinned by going dancing and hanging out with unbelievers with a party spirit wanting to chase after women and even though I didn't smoke or drink I was a hypocrite. On Friday and Saturday nights I would hit the Black Angus restaurant with my Marine Corp buddy Kenny Harlan and then on Sunday I would gather with other Christians and pretend to worship God. I would listen to sermons and sing the hymns but all the time I had no fear of God. My faith was nothing more than a devil's faith which doesn't save. I was false in my walk and in my talk. Truly the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicke; who can know it? Jer. 17:9
You see I had the faith of devils. I had no good works. My works were fleshy because I was carnal walking after the flesh and not the Spirit.
The devils believe but they will be DAMNED. Yes, the devils believe there is one God and they tremble which is more that many professing Christians believe who live like devils in a carnal sensual life who show they have not the Spirit of God in them.
Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member)and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching.
See all his videos on http://www.youtube.com Type LAStreetPreacher in the search bar. CONTACT at Carlton2061@gmail
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 583 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Brother Carlton or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 583 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.