Who cares? Those who care about their eternal destiny care, because, as it says in Ephesians 2:8,9 "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."
When the apostle said, not of works, he was referring to the WORKS OF THE LAW, as he did in many other scriptures on this topic. You can see this thought over and over again,- especially in the New Testament book of Galatians. Paul taught that the Old Testament commandments were done away with in Christ, our Messiah. ( which they were ) However, the commandments of Christ were never done away with. Consider John 14:21: " He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. "
Also consider Luke 6:46-49: "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings AND DOES THEM, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
New Testament scriptures talk of two kinds of works. The first is the WORKS OF THE LAW, that is,- obedience to the Old Testament Commandments. The other kind of works are GOOD WORKS,- loving God, and your neighbor as yourself. The same one who wrote Ephesians 2:8,9 exhorted his churches and companions to be careful to maintain good works. For example, see 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."
In the early church, there was much debate about FAITH and WORKS. Is salvation through faith, and nothing else, as some say? For a time, there was a conflict in the early church between those believed in FAITH ONLY, and those who believed that true FAITH will always be accompanied by works. On one side, was those who misinterpreted the teaching of the apostle Paul, and believed in FAITH only. On the other side was Peter, John, and especially James, the half brother of Jesus. ( and Jesus, Himself also )
James 2:14-26 deals with the subject of FAITH and WORKS. Consider this section of scripture. " What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works, can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? EVEN SO, FAITH, IF IT HATH NOT WORKS IS DEAD, BEING ALONE. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And, the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and NOT BY FAITH ONLY. "
THOSE, WHO TEACH, AND BELIEVE IN, FAITH ONLY, ARE ON DANGEROUS GROUND. There's more to faith than saying a prayer.
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Our Sunday AM services are being held at the Mexico Beach Civic Center. In accordance with federal laws, we have permission to use this heated, and air conditioned, facility on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM central time. We begin with a short time of greeting and fellowship, and then TJ leads us in worship. After the service we have holy communion, a time when people can request prayer, especially for healing, and sometimes, a pot luck luncheon.
The Mexico Beach Civic Center is located at 105 N. 31st Street. It is the white building with the dark green roof, which is just behind that new Mexico Beach restaurant, Mango Marley's. It is behind Parker Realty, and is on the northeast side of Rte 98. It is about 7/10 mile south of the Mexico Beach Welcome Center. For a map showing the location of the Mexico Beach Civic Center, click below the photo:
Mexico Beach Civic Center
Have a wonderful week. May God bless you, and your family!
Would you like to know more about the return of Jesus Christ?
Check out this page: Jesus Is Coming Soon!