WORKING FOR THE KINGDOM

[p_rehbein]

We are called by God, and prepared by God to do His Will here on earth. We all have a calling we are to be faithful to in our service of God.

[Scriptures to consider]

Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 3:14 - And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Titus 3:8 - [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Hebrews 6:10 - For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Titus 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Hebrews 13:21 - Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

These "good works" can be many different things. And they are achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit who imparts to all Gods children the Gifts that will enable them to do these good works.

[Scriptures to consider]

1 Corinthians 12:7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Peter 4:10 - As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God has given us His Holy Word to teach, instruct and guide us in service to Him.

[Scriptures to consider]

2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We must be loving and considerate when seeking to witness to the lost, and not drive them from Gods loving grace.

[Scriptures to consider]

2 Timothy 2:23) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Jesus Himself instructed the Apostles, and all believers, to serve God and do the work of the Kingdom

[Scriptures to consider]

Matthew 28:18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.so as to increase the Kingdom.

Let us all strive to be true to our calling and to serve God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Surrender all to the work of His Kingdom, and He will reward us greatly!

 

[JaumeJ]

We are called by God, and prepared by God to do His Will here on earth. We all have a calling we are to be faithful to in our service of God.

[Scriptures to consider]

Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 3:14 - And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Titus 3:8 - [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Hebrews 6:10 - For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Titus 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Hebrews 13:21 - Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

These "good works" can be many different things. And they are achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit who imparts to all Gods children the Gifts that will enable them to do these good works.

[Scriptures to consider]

1 Corinthians 12:7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Peter 4:10 - As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God has given us His Holy Word to teach, instruct and guide us in service to Him.

[Scriptures to consider]

2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We must be loving and considerate when seeking to witness to the lost, and not drive them from Gods loving grace.

[Scriptures to consider]

2 Timothy 2:23) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Jesus Himself instructed the Apostles, and all believers, to serve God and do the work of the Kingdom

[Scriptures to consider]

Matthew 28:18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.so as to increase the Kingdom.

Let us all strive to be true to our calling and to serve God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Surrender all to the work of His Kingdom, and He will reward us greatly!

It seems someon has not only studied but did all of his homework. What a great collection of Scripture built up to give the true message. I hope this post shuts up a few of the loud mouthed doubters and scoffers. God bless you P. ps. i have a very hard time reading this stype of post in my emails because read aloud does not work there so with the narrator I am obliged to click line by line and when it reaches the end of each line it starts babbling things not in the text. Needless to say there is no continuity in the email text this way. I do use the narrator for short notes though.. God bless you big time and much.

 

[dcontroversal]

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

[corazondeldei]

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Yes, FAITH is the righteousness of those who are not Jews who are under the law. Being not under the law but under the righteousness through faith does not mean that we should not work but we are supposed to do even greater things for being righteous through faith and as fellow workers of God in the body of Christ.

What can you say about the body of Christ? Is it Faith ALONE that was given as a gift and only those who received FAITH are the only part of that body?

NIV1984 John 14:12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

If you should claim to be a part of the body of Christ yet DOES NOT DO the task you were called to do, you are just like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbals.

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 4:19-20
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

NIV1984 2 Corinthians 6:1
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

11 And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these
are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me
Colossians 4

 

[JaumeJ]

All who love God are Jew by translation. All who are in Jesus Christ are so by faith. Faith is a gift from the Father, Jesus.

 

[p_rehbein]

Two other Scriptures to consider:

John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

11 And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these
are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me
Colossians 4

The above verse shows how Paul regarded himself as working for the Kingdom.
Paul was called to a ministry of witness

15 "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."
Acts 9

14 "Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see
the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.
15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 22

16 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant
and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.
17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to
God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Acts 26

9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
1 Cor 3

3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Phil 4

Paul was not afraid of using the term worker for the Kingdom.

Working for something implies effort, focus, direction, that there is an opposition to the gospel and
an effort required to bring the gospel to the world and encourage Gods people in their work.
Amen

 

[dcontroversal]

Yes, FAITH is the righteousness of those who are not Jews who are under the law.

Listen Seohce, Argueless........the above statement reeks of complete ignorance and a lack of honesty........From Abel to the last man on the planet that has faith...EVERYONE of them either are or have been justified BY FAITH without the deeds/works of the law.....get that through your head!

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Yes, Believers must work. It is our new creation. We were created for good works.

But if someone places thes works as a means to get saved, Maintian their salvation, or keep them from losing salvation. Those are self righteous works which according to the word of God as as bloody rags. Its like going to meet God on judgment day and when God asks why he shoudl let you in, You give him a box full of bloody rags which was collected on the battlefield. And say this is my payment lord. And expecting God to accept those rags as payment.

God will say depart for he never knew you.

So while it is great to preach discipleship and christian growth, Lets make sure we are working BECAUSE we are saved and out of gratitutde and the power of God give to us when he made us new creatures in Christ, And not for self righteous reasons which makes God sick! And is a massive insult to his own integrity.

Because sadly, You look at people working, and its hard to tell the difference anymore.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Are we to judge peoples motives?

1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to
light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each
will receive his praise from God
1 Cor 4

The danger of trying to separate out those who are trying to appear righteous and those who love
the Lord and in humblness and gratitude follow the way of love, one ends up condemning and discouraging
those we would want to commend and encourage while commending those who fail and have no interest
in loving Jesus and walking in His ways.

And it is this judgementalism that leads people to justify accusatory behaviour to others based merely on
personal convictions and not on sinful behaviour. And so the conviction becomes, it is not a personal walk
with its applications and revelation, but just a battle of belief systems and identifying the enemy within.

We are to be lights of love being victorious over death, of life in Christ leading us to new eternal insights
into our behaviour and how we reach out to others. Once one begins to see it is this love rising up overwhelming
the situations we find ourselves in, the challenges will always be there, it is seeing Christ in us working victory
that is eternal and life transforming, Amen.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

God will judge peoples motives. It is not for me to judge or anyone else. God has made his word clear.

People need to wake up.

 

[corazondeldei]

Listen Seohce, Argueless........the above statement reeks of complete ignorance and a lack of honesty........From Abel to the last man on the planet that has faith...EVERYONE of them either are or have been justified BY FAITH without the deeds/works of the law.....get that through your head!

Yes, FAITH is the righteousness of those who are not Jews who are under the law. Being not under the law but under the righteousness through faith does not mean that we should not work but we are supposed to do even greater things for being righteous through faith and as fellow workers of God in the body of Christ.

What can you say about the body of Christ? Is it Faith ALONE that was given as a gift and only those who received FAITH are the only part of that body?

NIV1984 John 14:12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

If you should claim to be a part of the body of Christ yet DOES NOT DO the task you were called to do, you are just like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbals.

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 4:19-20
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

NIV1984 2 Corinthians 6:1
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

Paul said,
"I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—"

"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

"...We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God."

NIV1984 1 John 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

NIV1984 Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. Away from me, you evildoers!’



No deceiver would ever teach obedience to God and no true Christian would ever teach DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.

 

[Nehemiah6]

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Why are you misapplying Scripture? What you have quoted applies to works of righteousness for salvation (not acceptable). But what the OP is presenting is the good works which must follow salvation. And without that, there are only empty professions of faith according to James.

 

[dcontroversal]

Yes, FAITH is the righteousness of those who are not Jews who are under the law. Being not under the law but under the righteousness through faith does not mean that we should not work but we are supposed to do even greater things for being righteous through faith and as fellow workers of God in the body of Christ.

What can you say about the body of Christ? Is it Faith ALONE that was given as a gift and only those who received FAITH are the only part of that body?

NIV1984 John 14:12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

If you should claim to be a part of the body of Christ yet DOES NOT DO the task you were called to do, you are just like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbals.

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 4:19-20
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

NIV1984 2 Corinthians 6:1
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

Paul said,
"I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—"

"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

"...We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God."

NIV1984 1 John 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

NIV1984 Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. Away from me, you evildoers!’



No deceiver would ever teach obedience to God and no true Christian would ever teach DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.

Seohce, Argueless.....you can post the same blather 938477465647389297447 times and it will never equate to biblical truth

 

[dcontroversal]

Why are you misapplying Scripture? What you have quoted applies to works of righteousness for salvation (not acceptable). But what the OP is presenting is the good works which must follow salvation. And without that, there are only empty professions of faith according to James.

I misapplied nothing pal...all I did was quote a verse of scripture.........go have same cake Dr. Kneehigh.........

 

[corazondeldei]

Seohce, Argueless.....you can post the same blather 938477465647389297447 times and it will never equate to biblical truth

What can you say about the body of Christ? Is it a dead body with no sign of life, action, works? Who is going to be presented to Jesus as a pure bride? Who is He going to save when He comes back? If you are in the body of Christ, what are you doing there? Nothing?

NIV1984 1 Corinthians 5:6-13
Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

 

[theanointedwinner]

how is it possible to obey James 4:17 with the right motive?

 

[Nehemiah6]

how is it possible to obey James 4:17 with the right motive?

The only motive one needs is to determine not to commit sins of omission (as far as possible).

 

[FollowHisSteps]

how is it possible to obey James 4:17 with the right motive?

17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
James 4

James is talking about here what he observed, believers who had wealth talking to others
who had great need and poverty just saying God bless you and not actually helping, however
that worked out.

He saw a real contradiction saying one is invested in the Kingdom and loving others, while
having treasure on earth and a way to show this love but denying this, and so by doing sinning.
There is a real problem in this behaviour.

James does not mean we need to find sins of omission, but respond positively to getting involved
with others and meeting needs as they appear. God bless you.