In previous editions, we have reconsidered our understanding of what constitutes faith. We have seen from the Scripture how there is no faith if there is no corresponding deed. We have realized that faith is not just in the hearing of the truth but in the hearing and doing of the truth. We have seen that every faith has its corresponding action without which that faith is dead or non-existent.
Nevertheless, there are some who espouse the belief that a believer’s actions/deeds does not constitute his life but rather it is his professed beliefs that do constitute his life. Whether consciously or not, these people think that what a person believes is what he merely agrees with to be true. Believing, therefore, is reduced into a mental exercise by many; making a man’s life a constitution of what he mentally and verbally agrees with to be true. There are some who also argue that this believing is not just mental but one of the heart. They say a man’s life does not consist of what he does but of what he believes in his heart to be true. Now, not only is that implausible, but also, it is self-contradictory. So let’s examine the position of the scriptures on the matter.
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To begin with, what the man believes in his heart is what he wills and what he wills is what he does. A man’s heart speaks mainly of his affections and therefore his will. To believe truth in the heart is to will the truth. To will the truth is to do it. Beloved, a man is what he thinks in his heart. Or what is the same, a man is what he does.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (Pr 23:7)
What a man merely agrees with to be true does not change him.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.(Jas 2:19)
It is what he does about what he believes that changes him. In other words, a man can agree with the truth and still remain an evil man. He is only changed when he does the truth he has believed.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.(Joh 13:17)
The Greek word translated happy is makarios which means supremely blest. Meaning the blessing is not for the knower but the doer. Meaning the change of life, the cleansing, the transformation to good, etc. belongs to the doer.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.(Jas 1:25)
If a man lives (doer) righteously he is (his nature and constitution) righteous.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.(1Jo 3:7)
A man is no different from his actions.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.(Mt 7:16-18)
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.(Mt 7:20)
One may argue that it is not so for the believer; that the believer has a change of life when he first comes to Christ. Then from there he must be taught to live the life he has acquired. One may even give the example of a baby and how that it ought to grow in the life acquired from the parent. Beloved the concept of babyhood in Christ relates to the one who has not advanced in his walk. One who has not much knowledge (word) and consequently not much doing (works). Maturity has got to do with advancement from the first day one decided to live from Christ.
In John chapter fifteen, we are called the branches which must be connected to the vine for life supply. If we have already received life, why then would we wither and die when we are cut off? It is only God (Jesus) who has life in himself (source of life) we are recipients of that life to the extent that we connect to the source which connection is via doing the word.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (Joh 15:4-6)
We are recipients of the engrafted (implanted) word. The word of life.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.(Jas 1:21)
To be born again is to have a new life. In other words a change of life. This is also through the word which we do. Every word which we receive and do changes us and that is what it means to be born again.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1Pe 1:23-25)
The gospel is the word of God preached to you. It is the word you hear in church that shows you the life that you ought to live with the power to live it. Anytime you hear the word and enact it, you are reproduced anew by that word. Every truth you hear is God’s seed being implanted in you.
The sower soweth the word. (Mr 4:14)
To receive the seeds being sown and to do it is to abide in him. In this is the fruit (the transformed life). When Jesus spoke to the seven churches in Revelations, He identified them by their works. He said, “I know thy works.”
Re 2:2 I know thy works,... Re 2:9 I know thy works,... Re 2:13 I know thy works,... Re 2:19 I know thy works,... Re 3:1 ... I know thy works,... Re 3:8 I know thy works:... Re 3:15 I know thy works,...
What works was He talking about? The works of faith. Beloved faith has works and it is these works that constitutes a man’s life. A man is what he does and therefore is judged thereby.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2Co 5:10)
[To be continued.]
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