Today is November 22, 1991. We continue with Part V of the message “The Mystery of Reality”, which we subtitled additionally as “The Mystery of Faith.” Now I would like to keep that subtitle almost intact and add only one word: “The Mystery of Faith and Will.” The chief topic will be “Faith versus Works”, which we might also say “Light versus Life.”
Now I have given you the faith chapter of the Bible to read, chapter 11 of the Book of Hebrews. I trust that you read it, especially verses 24 to 27, which talk about Moses. Since we talked about Moses in Part IV, we will continue with him also as to his faith and as to his part in this chapter 11 of Hebrews. So let us go there and let us read these verses.
Hebrews 11:24: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” We could read on, we could read about other great men of God, but maybe it will suffice for now, and we will see whether we can penetrate greater depths even of this chapter, of these verses, and the mystery of faith.
“I desire to pray Lord to You at this moment and ask You as always that You would take hold of us, and of me, and that You would direct everything by Your Spirit. I have to admit that You have been granting us so much of this wonderful food, that at times I have even a problem how to sort it, how to put it in the right order on the table, and serve it. And so, without Your Spirit Lord I not only know nothing, but even when I receive from You, I wouldn’t know how to serve it.
And so Lord, I’m asking You even for this, that You would enable me to put everything in the right order that we may even eat right, or eat properly, in the proper order that which You are serving us. And, Lord, we are so grateful to You for this rich food, which comes from You directly, which we not only enjoy but is indispensable to us. We praise You Lord, You are beautiful, and You are worthy of all our praises, and we thank You for all things, and even for this food and this time, and the opportunity to share Your gold, and silver, and precious stones … in Your Name. Amen.”
You all know the famous verse from Ephesians that we are saved by faith, and not by works. Maybe we should read it just to have the clear picture, the clear understanding. Ephesians 2:8, Paul, the Apostle of faith, I might add, says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” He repeats in several places that we walk by faith, how we should live by faith, how we are saved by faith, and he mentions faith constantly.
And along comes James, the Apostle of works, and to the people who don’t understand anything, he seems to be an enemy to Paul, because he says, “Not by faith only but by works”. And so he brings a real “controversy” to them who do not see and who do not understand.
Now, what Paul says is: “By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” And James would say: “This is truth, there is nothing misleading in it.” But James would add: “For by grace are ye saved through living faith, and living faith means works of faith!” In other words, we may say this, and I believe that myself: “If you have faith that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and you never proclaimed it, you never acted on it, you are not saved! And if you believe that it is a commandment to be baptized and that this is good and is necessary and you are never baptized, you shall not be saved! (Rom.10:9,10 + Mk.16:16) In fact the devils believe that there is one God! (Jam.2:19) Does this belief make them saved? NO!
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To be continued next week
brother Hanola
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