By Gary Ray Branscome
Because
it is the “blood of Jesus Christ” God’s Son, and the forgiveness that He
won for us on the cross, that “cleanses us of all sin,” it is the blood
of Jesus Christ and His blood alone that makes us righteous in the sight of God
(1John 1:7). As it is written, “By one offering He has perfected for ever
those who are sanctified” (Hebrews
That being understood, the Bible, time after time, urges
believers to perform good works. God wants us to, “Walk in newness of life”
(Romans 6:4). And, to “Do good to all men, especially to
those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians
The law, with all of its warnings, produces works through
fear, while faith “produces works through love” (Galatians 5:6). And,
the love that God has shown us in Christ should move us to be thoughtful, kind
and helpful to others. Nevertheless, when it comes to fighting against our
sinful flesh, fear and love need to work together. Although Christ’s love for
us should move us to want to do what is right and good and holy at all times,
the fear of God should make us tremble at the thought of willfully violating God’s
commandment, as David did with Bathsheba, for, “It is a fearful thing to
fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31).
Years ago it was common
to hear someone say, “My conscience would never let me do that,” but I have not
heard anyone say that in years. In fact, our entire culture has become so
comfortable with sexual wickedness of the worst kind, that few people are
shocked by behavior that would have brought almost universal condemnation just
a few decades ago.
Because our culture has become so comfortable with sin, it
is more important than ever for believers to train their conscience so that it
condemns what God condemns. Because this generation is, “A wicked and
adulterous generation,” many church members have lowered their standards,
and gloss over sins that would have shocked their grandparents (Matthew 16:4).
And, before we can train our conscience we must be willing to look at our sins,
and search out the sins that we usually do not even notice. To give just one
example: Years ago, I heard a church member using vulgar language outside of
church. When I said something, he said, “That’s not cussing”. He knew it was
wrong. That is why he did not talk that way in church. However, he chose to
rationalize rather than conduct himself in a way that is above reproach. As
Christians our desire should not be to do the bare minimum that is required,
but to conduct ourselves in a way that will cause, “The name of our Lord
Jesus Christ” to “be glorified” (2Thessalonians
Because congregational leaders are to set an example for
the flock, every believer should want to live up to the standard God has given
for leaders. The standard that says, “An overseer must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, vigilant, sober-minded, of good behavior, given to
hospitality… Not given to wine, not a
striker, but one who is patient and gentle not a brawler, not covetous or
greedy for gain; One who does a good job of running his own house, having his
children under control, yet dealing with them in a dignified way… He must also be well thought of by those who are outside the church” (1Timothy 3:2-7).
The words, “Do not be conformed to this world: but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind,” // “Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought,” tell us that God wants us
to correct our thinking, and bring it into agreement with the Word of God
(Romans 12:2, 2Corinthians 10:5). As it is written, “To the law and to the
testimony: if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is
no light in them” (Isaiah
The words, “Those who are being led by the Spirit of
God, are the sons of God,” // “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are
not under the law,” tell us that those who have received the Spirit of God
through faith in Christ, walk by faith, which “Produces works through love”
(Romans
At the same time, the love that comes from God is not
the false love that condones and allows wickedness. God condemned Eli
because he did not take action when his sons were doing evil. By doing nothing to restrain
or punish his sons, Eli sent them to hell. Had he really loved them, he would have
made certain that they not only knew that their behavior was evil but regretted
ever behaving that way. As it is written, “I
will perform against Eli all the things that I have said concerning his house… because his sons made themselves vile,
and he did not stop them” (1Samuel 3:12-13).
Because some in our society would like to see all
religions worship together, they want Christians to tolerate falsehood and
condone those who contradict God’s Word. However, because “there is no other
name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved,” that would
be hate not love (Acts
The following passages urge us to do
good works. As you read them you should never just interpret them to justify
yourself, so that you wind up thinking that you are a good person. Instead you
need to look at the many ways that you fall short. Then, instead of trying to make
yourself righteous, humbly whisper “God be merciful to me a sinner,”
while reminding yourself of how much you need and appreciate the forgiveness
that is yours in Christ; taking comfort in the fact the He is “The Lamb
of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Luke 18:13, John 1:29). Because
the human “Heart is deceitful above all things,” the aim in
reminding yourself of your sin is to combat the inborn inclination to assume
that you are righteous, while cultivating a humble and grateful attitude that
wants to do good when the opportunity arises.
“Conduct
yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ: so” // “that the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you,” (Philippians
Therefore, “Conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the
life to which you have been called, With all lowliness and meekness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love; Being diligent to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). And “Have
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame to even speak of those things which
are done by them in secret. But all things that are reproved are exposed by the
light: for whatever exposes evil is light… See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. For that reason do not be
foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with
wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord; Always giving thanks for all things unto God the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the
fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
Himself for it” (Ephesians
“Put
off everything having to do with your former way of life, the old nature which
is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be
renewed in the spirit of your mind. And… put on the new nature, which
after the image of God is created in
righteousness and true holiness. Therefore putting away lying, let every man
speak the truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. When
angry, do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your anger, nor give place to
the devil. Let him who stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working
with his own hands that which is good, that he may have something to give to
those in need. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good for building others up as needed, that it may give grace to those
who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and yelling,
and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one
another tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has
forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:22-32).
“I want you to continually stress these things, so that
those who have trusted in God might be careful to maintain good works. Such
things are good and beneficial for everyone” (Titus 3:8). For Christ
“Gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
for Himself a special people, eager to do good works” (Titus 2:14). “Therefore,
as you abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all
diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this gracious giving
also” (2Corinthians 8:7). For “God is able to make every blessing abound
to you; that you, always having everything you need, may abound to every good
work” (2Corinthians 9:8).
“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man
sows that shall he also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will reap corruption
from the flesh; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap
everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).