When We Die

When our lives come to an end here in this world, what happens? Well, we go to be with Christ. But we go to be with Him in spirit until the second coming. Our bodies stay behind and we make our way to the intermediate Heaven or Hell, based on our faith in Christ.

We will be there with Christ awaiting the second coming to accompany Him in battle and then once the battle is won, Heaven will come down and we will be rewarded with our room in the New Heaven.

Well, at death we find ourselves in either Heaven or Hell, is that the end of it from a judgment point of view. Not exactly. This is only the first judgment and is solely reliant on our faith in Christ as our savior and Lord. Our acceptance that He died so that we did not have to determines whether we will get Heaven or Hell in this first judgment.

There is a final judgment, although the timing of it is constantly debated. This final judgment is where we are held to account for the works done in this world. No, our works do not determine our salvation, that is done through our faith and got us to Heaven or Hell in the first judgment. But, we are held to account for the works we performed once we arrive.

These works determine our reward. I like to think of it this way. I have already received the acknowledgment from the teacher that I completed the work. Now I get to go back to the desk of the teacher to collect the gold stars for the quality of the work performed. The neatness of the work gets one star. The help I provided my peers gets another star. The cheering on of the others in class gets another star.

The same holds true for those in Hell. The final judgment accounts for all the ways that we failed in this world. The way we snickered when watching the elderly struggle crossing the street. The actions we took to end someone’s life. The hatred we displayed at people of faith. All will be judged and counted out.

So, when we die in this world a few things happen. Our spirit will leave our body. We will be separated by our faith to the intermediate Heaven or Hell. We will worship and prepare for battle. We are reunited with our bodies at the second coming of Christ. We are ushered into the New Heaven or Hell once the battle is complete. We will receive final judgment as to our works and those will count for the rewards received.

What is your view of what happens when you die? Are you of the opinion that everything is just, well over at that point? How would your approach to this life change, knowing that there is more to it than just the ending of life in this world?

Jesus and The Father

“³⁰I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30 (ESV)

The words of Jesus that I believe.

We might dismiss the unity of Jesus and the Father. Jesus was man in this world walking with us and experiencing all that we experience. God is the almighty being that was larger than man. How could they be unified, much less the same?

I will admit to thinking the same things as I go through this world. And then I read passages in God’s Word that remind me of their unity and sameness. Jesus makes it clear that His followers know Him at the sound of His voice. We know God by the sound of His voice. I am a follower of Jesus and therefore am a follower of God and know the sound of His voice, which is the same.

I know, that seems a bit of a rounder that may not make sense to some. Let me try something else. Ever notice how a child just knows the sound of their parents voice. When mom or dad cries out for them, they know and will come running. Well, God is our Father and when He calls out, we know and come running. When Jesus calls out, we hear the same voice, we know and come running.

When God did miraculous things in the world, the world understood them to be from God and would worship and glorify Him as a result. Yet, when Jesus did the miraculous, he was looked upon as somehow appropriating the works of God. But, if Jesus was doing the same miraculous works that God was doing, how is it that He was appropriating, wouldn’t He be acting as God in those situations?

“³⁷If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; ³⁸but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” – John 10:37-38 (ESV)

Jesus points out that even if He is not believed to be the Son of God, we still must believe the works that He is performing as those coming from God. As they are coming from God, then He must be of God and therefor He and God are unified and as we know it, they are one.

I have to remember that Jesus is the human form of God. He was here in this world to experience it and demonstrate to us that all that is known can be acted on, even those things that are hard. Jesus did not have it easy in this world, he experienced loss, persecution, He was doubted, He got by being content with what was available. And yet, with all that seemed to be against Him, He continued doing the work of the Father here in this world for all of us to witness and behold. He and the Father are one.

What is your view of Jesus in this world? Are you looking to Him as some figure of the church or a figment of the stories? What if you did see the work He did as that of and from God and saw that He indeed was only doing as a result of being one with God?

Good Works are Coming, Be Ready

I never know when I am going to have the opportunity to witness to and influence someone. I may not even know in the moment or unless they indicate that to me later. Recently someone reached out to me, out of the blue, asking for my thoughts on a particular subject, I provided my thoughts and then she told me she appreciated the learning I had provided her. I asked what it was and she proceeded to tell me. Now it is something that I indicate all the time and have not been told of the impact it has on others until this time. I was taken aback in the moment as I was finally recognized for the impact even as I did not even know of the impact.

All of the above is to again say that we really do not know when we are going to have the opportunity to impact another, and sometimes the work we do that seems to go unnoticed actually has a profound impact. I have to be ready for those moments and stay with the works for Christ, round the clock.

“¹Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,” — Titus 3:1 (ESV)

Paul, speaking to Titus, indicates that we are to be at the ready at all times. The good works that are presented to us may come on quickly and if we are not ready, we may miss that which God has planned for us to complete. I have accepted Christ and been justified, now is the time for me to do the work and that will require for me to be seeking it out and ready for when it is presented.

I have to prepare. I know, if I don’t know what the work is, how can I prepare? I have to stick to the basics and that is to be aware and be the example of Christ at every turn. I have to live out the fruit of the Spirit in all that I do and that is where my preparation lies.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” — Galatians 5:22-26 (ESV)

Paul again indicates to be ready with the fruit of the Spirit. In doing so, we are able to “keep in step with the Spirit” and align ourselves with the work that God has for us. We will be ready to take on that which is presented and do so more as Christ would and be the example for others to see.

What is your approach to what is to come? Are you just working from moment to moment and waiting for the next thing to drop? What if you were to prepare, knowing the next work will be coming soon and when it does, you are ready to do the work of/for Christ?

Works Now, Grace Before I Began

This morning I am looking at another realization as I study “works”. Grace was granted by God well before I began. Yes, I know, I have looked at that grace comes before works as I am not able to “earn” my way to salvation from works, the works are a demonstration of my salvation given by God through grace and my faith in Him. But His grace predates my existence here in this world.

“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” — 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

Paul has written to Timothy 2000 years ago and he indicates that God provided grace “before the ages began”. I came along in the now, relatively, and that puts me even further out from when grace was given. Therefore grace did come well before I began and my works are only a result of that grace.

The thing that I have learned, or was reminded and realized is that God’s grace was eternal and will be eternal. He gave it long ago for those who would receive and will continue to give to those who did receive and have yet to receive. It is faith in His grace where I have to remember to reside and do the works to demonstrate that faith in His grace.

Now that I have learned or reminded and realized of God’s grace well before I began, it is important that I remember it as I progress forward in this world and lean on His grace for all of my actions and works. I have to guard against being influenced by the world and falling into the trap of trying to “earn” my way. I have to trust Him and follow His direction.

“¹³Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” — 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV)

Where are you leaning as you move forward? Are you leaning on the now with the works that you are doing and trying to earn your way? What if you realized that you have already received the grace that was given you even “before the ages began”?

Works are Conspicuous, Do Good Anyway

This morning was a simple read and work for understanding for me. I am to do good works regardless of how they look to the public.

“²⁴The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. ²⁵So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.” — 1 Timothy 5:24-25 (ESV)

Paul, writing to Timothy here indicates to him that the work that is done will be conspicuous, regardless of the true nature of the work being done. Those who sin as well as those who are doing good works. These will always fall of some the wrong way and will call into question the motives and work of those doing.

With this being known, there are two roads to follow. The one will lead to destruction as it is carrying out the work of the evil one. There may be short term wins as the evil one continues to keep you under his thumb. The reality of those being sins and leading to destruction may be immediate or they may come later once everything is brought into the light. Remembering that evil does not like the light and as long as there is darkness surrounding, all will seem to be fine.

Then there is the good works that are done. Yes, they too, according to Paul may be conspicuous as there will be plenty who will question the motives and sincerity of the works as we have been taught that if is seems to good to be true, then it probably is. Paul is instructing Timothy to do the good works anyway. The good works will be seen in the light and there is nothing to be concerned with. If/when these works are seen, they will impact someone with the love of Christ and it, “cannot remain hidden”. It is important to do the work of Christ and not apologize for the work.

My pastor is currently working through a sermon series of the book of James and covered James 4:13 – 5:6. In this passage and sermon, verse 17 stuck out and applies here to my study this morning.

“¹⁷So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” — James 4:17 (ESV)

I know what the right thing is to do, good works. I have simply to do them. I cannot be concerned with what others believe my motives to be. I can only to do the work and know that I am honoring God and continuing the plan He has for me in my life. He will make the work meaningful and touch those it was intended to touch and make the difference it was intended to make. My role is to simply move on to the next good work and allow God to use me and that work for His glory once again.

What are you doing in the world? Are you aware that regardless of the work you are doing, some will consider it conspicuous? What if you were to just do the good work and allow God to use that work for His glory and you just move on to the next good work?

Our Works Prepared for Us Ahead of Time

“⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

This morning I was expecting again to be led to a passage to learn more about how works are not what leads to our salvation, it is faith. I was not wrong in my expectation. The passage I read in Ephesians 2 is titled in my ESV Bible is: “By Grace Through Faith”. And of course I was not disappointed in my learning.

Where I was not wrong in my expectations this morning, I did pick up on something else that hit me more squarely in the forehead. My works were/are prepared for me. Notice in verse ten above that we were created to complete works that God prepared “beforehand”. This further illustrates that I am not doing works to earn anything. I am doing works as a result of something that was completed in me, salvation through faith.

In my walk through this world, I have to remember certain things that will lead me in the direction of my kingdom purpose. One of those was more clearly revealed to me this morning. I have works to do, that were predetermined for me well before they were revealed to me. I was created by God, to do the works He has created for me.

I have, written in my Bible many notes throughout Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and the above verses are no exception. Although those notes are all centered around the premise of faith gives way to salvation and salvation leads to works for the LORD. It one note that I am drawn to for verse ten that goes along with my realizations this morning, that I had not considered until now. The note reads: “We now have a Renewed Purpose”. This purpose is to live out the works that God has prepared for me. I have to be seeking out not just to do good works for the LORD, but to do the good works “which God prepared beforehand” for me. I was selected by God and to go along with that selection, He has a plan for me and that plan has certain works directly for me.

What is your understanding of the works you are completing? Are you just going along waiting for the next? What if you were to approach every good work as the good work “which God prepared beforehand” for you?

Faith Got Us Here, Stick With It

I continue my study of “works” and the overwhelming theme is that we rely on faith and not works, and that the works are a result of out salvation and justification thanks to our faith. Well, this morning I have been led to continued learning and reminders that while we got here through faith and works are a demonstration of that faith, I have to continue to rely on faith and not works.

“⁵Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ⁶just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’?…¹⁰For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’” — Galatians 3:5-6 & 10 (ESV)

Relying on works gets us nowhere except in the arena of the cursed. Man cannot be relied on for salvation, only God. Jesus was cursed by the law so that I would not have to be. He was judged as to His works by the people who deemed those works against them. It did not matter that Jesus was light spreading the good news, the people were attached to firmly to the law they were unable to see Him for who He truly was.

I recently heard someone speaking that “Christian Nationalists” were wrong to believe that the rights of all are gained from God. Somehow this person believed that the rights of all come from man. Do we see now that this person is wrong in their thinking and have fallen to the idea that works are greater than faith? Clearly, as Paul notes above, these who believe this are “under a curse”.

I have gained my salvation and justification through my faith in Christ and the love He has for me. It is clear that I should stick with that which got me here and not waver in my attention to He who provided for me. I am sure that a lot of us have heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, why fix it”. That is how I have to be in my relationship with Christ. Relying on faith worked, why try and fix it with works.

What are you doing now that your faith got you to the relationship with Christ? Are you somehow trying to prove and earn more through your works? What if you were to stick with faith since it worked to get you here?

Faith Not Works

I started my study of the word “works” as a natural progression from my study of “mercy”. I keep running into the idea that works do not get me there, they are the result of my salvation and justification. I do not “earn” anything through my works, only demonstrate my salvation and justification. This morning is no different as I again am led to Galatians and the passage titled “Justification by Faith”.

“¹⁵We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” — Galatians 2:15-16 (ESV)

What I have learned in the passage is really nothing new. What I have come to realize this morning is that God is speaking to me. I have been struggling with the lack of acknowledgment in the works that I am doing. I feel as though I am being ignored and not gaining anything in return for those works. I have realized that it is the “man” in me that is seeking this acknowledgment and not the Christian in me. I am looking for the reward here in this world and not focus on my Kingdom purpose to spread the gospel and allowing God to do His work through me.

I will say that it is hard, knowing that I am doing the work and others seem to be doing less and getting more out of it. Whether it is safety, security, promotion, recognition, celebration, or whatever, I have to remember that all of that is of no consequence in the end and my relationship with Christ and the work I am doing for Him is what really matters. I have to know that God is taking care of me to provide for my needs and allow me to be content in it all. I am His to do with what He pleases and not for my own pleasure.

Yes, I would “feel” better in this world if my works were more recognized and appreciated. It would be easier to make it to the next knowing that my works were known to be in the best interest of all. But, it is not my works that are gaining the notoriety, it is my faith in Christ that gains me salvation and justification with Him and that is what really matters.

Lord, give me the strength to know that I have already found favor with You and You have provided for my salvation and justified me through faith in You. I am Yours and You are mine. Give me the wisdom to know that my faith is enough and I must continue my work for You to demonstrate my justification thanks to my faith in You.

What are you relying on to gain salvation and justification? Are you out there working to somehow earn it? What if you placed your faith in God, knowing that it is enough and your works are just your demonstration of the salvation and justification the LORD has provided thanks to that faith?

Not Works, Mercy

“¹⁵For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ ¹⁶So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” — Romans 9:15-16 (ESV)

God provided salvation out of mercy for me, not due to my works. First, I was saved young in life and at that point, was not out looking for salvation through my works. I was simply living life and was offered salvation and I accepted. So I did not really have the chance to accomplish a lot in the way of works to “earn” salvation. Second, as a sinner, I will never be able to “earn” salvation. I was, am, and always will be a sinner and that makes me not worthy of God’s grace, yet he gives me grace thanks to His mercy for me.

Lately I have been struggling with things not seeming to ever go right. I feel as though I am ignored and no matter the work that I perform, I am not even acknowledged for my existence. Oh, there is the cursory, “thank you” that comes out of politeness, yet there is no recognition that I have actually done something that others did not. In fact, there are those who are fully recognized and celebrated for simply doing what is expected of them and therefore I have gotten to the point of “why keep doing it”.

As I look into it all and work to understand, I have come to the conclusion that due to my continued doing more than what is expected, I have simply raised the bar for what is expected of me. My doing of the work, no matter how much I excel and take things to the next level, it is simply now the new expectation, FOR ME. And if I happen to miss one of those things that are clearly out of my scope, because I had been doing them before, I have somehow failed in the expectation.

“¹⁰And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls” – Romans 9:10-11 (ESV)

I know, this is a lot to read into, but let me wrap up my thoughts. I have to be comfortable knowing that I have done the work. I have to also know that no matter the work, God loves me and provides grace for me. He does not look at my works as the payment for my salvation. He looks at my works as the result of my salvation. I have to do the same. Others not recognizing my worth I have to put behind me. I have to remember that they are not the one I am glorifying, it is God, and He has called me, and provided me salvation and grace through His mercy.

What are you trying to “earn” through your works? Are you looking to your works as somehow the definer of your worth? What if you accepted that God does not look at your works as the payment for your salvation, but rather the result thanks to His mercy?

Into Light or Dark Via Works

I have a choice to either be in the light or in the dark. That choice is driven by my works in this world.

“¹⁹And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ²¹But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” — John 3:19-21 (ESV)

These are the words of Jesus. He came into this world and into the darkness to expose the people to the light that He is. He gave the people the opportunity to come to something greater. He did not stay on the throne and ask the people to come to Him, He went to them where they were.

I like to use imagery to visualize what things will look like, so here goes. I have watched a number of movies where the lead character goes into a dark room or area exploring for whatever it was in the movie. As the character goes into the darkness, the light they are carrying exposes the hoards of beings congregating. As the light shines on the beings, they move, but not toward the light, away from it to avoid the light that exposes them for what they are and what they have done. In the darkness there may be a few that are not like the others and when the light is brought into the darkness they will move toward it to be rescued from the darkness and the beings found there.

Jesus came to be the light in the darkness and as He came those in the darkness either moved away to remain unexposed or they move toward Him to be rescued. I personally choose to be rescued. I have done some things that I am not proud of and it would be easier to move away from the light and stay in the darkness so that I and my actions are not exposed, but what does that get me but more works I am not proud of and I will perpetually remain in the dark. By coming into the light, I may have some challenges getting there, but thanks to Jesus, the reward of salvation and forgiveness and grace are far greater than the shame of remaining in the dark.

I have to allow my works to speak to who I am. I can choose the works to be “carried our in God”, or I can choose to remain in the dark and remain shameful for the works carried our there. I choose to be in the light and carrying out the works that God has for me to bring glory to Him and the gospel to the people.

Where are you spending your time? Are you in the dark, ashamed of the works you have done? What if you were to see and come to the light that is God and accepting the forgiveness for those works and continue forward doing the works of God in the light?