Works Or No Works?

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [Matthew 24.45-51]

For all the "not of works" I have heard all my life, Jesus' words here offer some real contrast. In fact, Jesus is very much talking about works. The works are positive, helpful interactions with others.

Let's be clear about the works the apostle Paul wrote about:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [Ephesians 2.8-9]

So, which is it? Works or no works?

First off, Jesus was speaking about a "servant." In other words, where Jesus' instruction picks up, the relationship between Master and servant is already established. This seems to represent salvation - the act of trusting that Jesus paid the price for citizenship in heaven. This relationship is instigated purely by grace as seen in Ephesians 2.8-9.

Furthermore, Jesus' speaking about a "servant" can also be seen in Paul's writing by simply reading the next sentence following Ephesians 2.8-9:

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [Ephesians 2.10]

We were created in Christ to do good things. And, that explains why Jesus said:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

The fact that we "were created" clearly defines that our creation in Christ was no doing of our own. But once that creation is done, the works begin. The task of supporting others in their re-creation in Christ is our primary duty. Not unlike our Lord and Savior Jesus, the completion of that task involves a plethora of supporting works including, but not limited to: teaching, preaching, healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding thousands, walking on water, casting out demons, and loving unconditionally.

Jesus said:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

Only the works of Jesus by the Spirit can save a man. Only the works of a man by the Spirit confirm it is so.

There is work to be done for those who claim to be redeemed. Those truly born of the Spirit will naturally do the works of the Spirit. It can be no other way.

There is indeed a place for works in the believer's life: it is not to be saved however, but because of salvation.

Christianity is NOT a convenient weekend pastime or soothing salve for troubled times. Christianity is Christ-likeness. If one does not look and act like Christ, one is not a Christian.

For the record, I would rather believe like what is presented here and be found wrong, than to believe I am NOT responsible for works and be found wrong.

Father, my goal is Christ-likeness. My work is to bring others into Christ-likeness and serve them there. I want to be found a faithful servant. Forgive me for a lazy attitude about what I have been redeemed to do.