Orange Moon Cafe Our Works Or His?

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Our Works Or His?" 

      "Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name have cast out devils,  and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:21-23).

    "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:28-29).

    We either approach God by affirming our own merit and accomplishment, or we come to Him trusting in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.  The former portends of rejection because we cannot independently fulfill His standard: "As for God, His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31).  The latter promises glad reception as we make our approach by the perfect Way God made for us.  "I am the way" declared the Lord Jesus (John 14:6).  Indeed, no one else lived a perfect life in order to make possible His sacrifice for others.  No one else died for the sins that cannot be absolved apart from a forgiveness based on Divine justice meted out, and subsequent grace made possible.  No one else rose from the dead to provide true life to all who acknowledge their spiritual death apart from Him.  No one else "ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).  We therefore come to God by the works of Christ on our behalf - "the work of God" - or we do not come at all.  

    This is the Gospel in its most elemental meaning.  Long ago in Eden, the devilish deception became the default position of humanity: "Ye shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5).  Long ago at Calvary, the Lord Jesus died for the sins that spring from such proud delusion, and then rose from the dead to offer life to all who will acknowledge our need and God's supply.  As the hymnwriter so beautifully expressed, "Nothing in my hands I bring, only to Thy cross I cling!"  The broad path of our own supposedly "wonderful works" beckons us to destruction.  Conversely, the narrow way of "the work of God" calls us into His grace, mercy, and freely given access to God by faith.  Our works or His?  Both paths beckon, one to death, the other to life both now and evermore.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

(Romans 5:1-2)

"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool."

(Proverbs 28:26)

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust."

(Psalm 18:2)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

 (II Peter 1:3)

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