Wednesday, October 29, 2008

faith, love, hope...works, labor, endurance

It is clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 that is by God’s grace and through faith in Him that we are saved- not of our works…contrary to popular (worldly) opinions. However, our works and good deeds are not completely detached from our faith…but they do not produce our faith, nor do they bring us eternal salvation. Rather, our faith produces good works…because of our faith in Christ, we have a reason and a passion to please Him and to glorify Him in everything we say and do (2 Corinthians 5:9). This truth is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, where Paul writes, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith…”. He also continues on in this passage, saying that the Thessalonians’ labor was prompted by love and their endurance was inspired by the hope in the Lord Jesus. Just like our faith results in good works... our love results in good labor and our hope in the Lord results in our endurance.
Lord, may our faith, love, and hope, result in good works, good labor, and endurance...all for You.

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