The Word of God does not preach “works for salvation” or “works and grace for salvation”; Neither does it allow for an out of control life once we are saved by grace. We find the answer to the question “works or grace?” Rather simple.
The gospel of grace is the gospel of Jesus who Himself is Grace. But, there is great danger in preaching an out of balance grace. Just as an out of balance prosperity Gospel (which in is essence is biblical) has hindered the Body of Christ a great deal. We cannot preach grace without also adding that we are saved unto good works.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV). These 3 verses go together. If someone is saved, it will eventually show through his or her works. They will do good works out of love for their Lord and Savior.
Many “believers” today live however they want, and God forbid you tell them anything about living as an ambassador for Christ with decent behavior, attitudes, attires…They quickly label you as legalistic. The Church, and I mean the body of Christ, is where it is today in part because of us servants of God (forgive us and help us Lord!).
We must BALANCE out the teachings and present the WHOLE Word of God so that we do not generate spiritual malnutrition.
The history of Christianity sadly shows that we like to over inflate every word that God has for His people for each season. (Note that the word really originates from God for His people, for a season. How it’s delivered is the problem.) With some parts of the holiness movement, people were told not to watch TV…some non-biblical prohibitions and instructions were emphasized. Part of the Word of Faith movement went from having faith in God to having faith in our own faith. Part of what’s now known as The prosperity gospel came up with give money and your debts will disappear, or you will get a check in the mail, or someone out of the blue will write you a check in a supermarket… These things happen in some instances. However, it’s not a generality. God chooses how to bless us when we give in obedience. So let’s not limit God and let’s not take teachings that are really biblical and distort them.
With every movement, the church of God has been hindered. Again, not because of the word that God gave His people for the season, but because of what the people did to and with that word. So let’s be careful. We have become too sensitive and all we want is what makes us feel good. Let’s present the word of God as it is. Let’s not take anything out of proportion especially those things that suit us. Let’s avoid spiritual malnutrition.
God bless us all.
By Dr Chantal Y. Emmanuel
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