When Work Doesn’t Work

When Work Doesn’t Work


For the purposes of this devotion, work will be defined as:

making, modifying, manipulating or moving

 

physical, mental, emotional or spiritual

 

materials, people, abilities or ideas

Work can be difficult or effortless, delightful or drudgery, productive or wasteful, done well or done poorly, right or wrong, for man’s benefit or detriment, a noble endeavor or a selfish undertaking, for God’s glory or Satan’s delight…

And according the Holy Bible, using the definition for work above:


God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) Works

• Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
• Hebrews 1:10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
• John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
• John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me
• Exodus 35:31 and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship,
• 1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
• God’s work is always good, marvelous, awesome, perfect, done in truth, empowering, enabling, effective (see also Genesis 1:31, Exodus 34:10, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 33:4).

Satan Works

• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
• 1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
• Satan’s work is always destructive, deceptive, damaging, untruthful, unrighteous, etc.

People Work

• Genesis 2:15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
• Proverbs 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
• People’s work can be good, evil, virtuous, wicked, an indicator of our allegiances, etc. Able people are expected to work.  
• People were intended to appreciate, honor and emulate God’s example of work (see also Exodus 23:12, Psalm 141:4, Proverbs 18:9, John 7:7, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 John 3:12).

Animals Work

• Exodus 23:12 Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.
• Deuteronomy 25:4 “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.
• Isaiah 30:24 Likewise the oxen and the young donkeys that work the ground Will eat cured fodder, Which has been winnowed with the shovel and fan.
• Animals work for their survival and the benefit of man. God expects man to treat animals well (see Proverbs 12:10).

The Bible also tells us about why people work and the ramifications of their work.

Christians are Intended for Good Works

• Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
• We shine as lights in a dark world to glorify God and draw others to Him.

God has Equipped Christians for Their Good Works

• 2 Timothy 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
• When God gives you a task, He equips you to do it.

Good Works are a Byproduct and Indicator of a Christian’s Faith

• James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
• James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
• Saving faith in Jesus Christ results in good works.

Human Nature Leads to Evil Works

• Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
• If you don’t believe in the inherent sin nature of the human race, read some history, turn on the news, leave your doors unlocked, believe everything you hear…

Those Who Will Spend Eternity in Heaven are Rewarded According to Their Works

• Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
• Christians have to answer for what they have done and not done with what God has given them. Our forgiveness and salvation are secure; our Heavenly rewards from Christ depend on our works.

Those Who Will Spend Eternity in Hell are Judged According to Their Works

• Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
• The lost will be held accountable for every sin they ever committed because they never accepted Christ’s payment for their sins.

Yet the point of this devotion is to make sure you understand one critical point:

You cannot earn salvation and the forgiveness of your sins by good works!

• Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
• 2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
• Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Salvation is an unearned gift

from God that we do not deserve!

That is the definition of grace!

If you are working to get it or working to keep it, you are saying that God owes you!

• Romans 4:4-5 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
• Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

If this doesn’t make sense to you, I pray that God’s Word and Holy Spirit will open your eyes to the truth. Humbly ask God to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him for the truth about work and the peace that comes with that truth. There are not enough good works in the world to offset how our sin has offended God.


Prayer

Dear Lord, only by Your Spirit can Your truths be comprehended. Please Father, for anyone seeking Your love, Your grace, Your truth, Your forgiveness, I beg You to grant it according to Your perfect will. I pray this in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

  

Do Not Be Afraid

Do Not Be Afraid


The more we trust in God, the less we worry and the less we fear what others can do to us. However, throughout the Bible, we are told to ‘fear the Lord’ (see Psalm 2:11, Proverbs 3:7, Isaiah 33:6, and many, many more). However, in this context, the word fear means to have genuine reverence and respect for God.

And although in our humanity we should definitely tremble before His awesome holiness (see Isaiah 6:5, Matthew 17:6, Revelation 1:17, etc.), our Lord has made abundantly clear throughout scripture, that as His children, we should not be afraid of who He is and What He does in or lives!


Do not be afraid of:

God’s Protection
God does everything He does and allows everything He allows for our good and for our benefit (whether we can see that or not). He is our ultimate protection!

• Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
• God’s commitment to protect Abraham as He prepares to make His covenant with him.
• 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
• Peter’s encouragement to Christians in a land that was not their own: trust in God’s protection.

God’s Plans
All of God’s plans will ultimately be fulfilled! The Bible is our guide to understanding what God has revealed to humanity about His plans.

• Genesis 50:19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
• Joseph (Abraham’s son) declares that, despite his authority in Egypt, God is in control of what happens. The next verse is a beautiful declaration of how God’s plan is sovereign over the plans and intent of men.
• Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
• Matthew 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
• Joseph (the husband of Jesus’ mother, Mary) is helped by an angel to see God’s plan for his life.

God’s Provision
Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). And just as He provided the ram for Abraham to sacrifice in Isaac’s place (Genesis 22:14), He provides for us.

• Genesis 50:21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
• Immediately after telling his brothers that everything that had happened to him was for a reason and according to God’s plan, Joseph acknowledged that he would be able to provide for them because of God’s provision.
• John 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
• Jesus testified to John of His deity, death, resurrection and victory over Hell and Death; Christ is our provision for forgiveness of sins, righteousness and eternal life.

God’s Power
God is all powerful (see the ‘He Is Able’ devotion on this site posted April 12, 2015). His power is beyond our comprehension; and yet revealed in our daily lives.

• Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.
• Moses declared God’s power to Israel just before the parting of the Red Sea during the exodus from Egypt.
• Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
• Jesus comforted the father of a young girl He was about to raise from the dead.

God’s Peace
True peace can only come through and from God!

• Leviticus 26:6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.
• The promised reward to Israel if they would keep God's statutes and commandments after entering the Promised Land.
• John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
• Christ promises His peace to His disciples.

God’s Predicaments
God places us in situations where we have to trust Him. The miraculous resolution of the predicaments in life declare His love and demand our faith.

• Deuteronomy 1:29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.
• Moses reminding Israel of what he had said to them when they refused to enter The Promised Land for fear of the inhabitants of the Canaan.
• Acts 27:24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
• On his voyage to Rome to face Caesar, during a horrific two week storm, Paul is encouraged by an angel that despite his current dilemma and upcoming shipwreck, he and everyone on the ship will survive.

God’s Profaners
Many people blaspheme God (to curse, slander or be irreverent). Some boldly reject God and all He stands for. Others hide behind a veil of religious hypocrisy.

• Deuteronomy 18:22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
• God’s instructions not to fear those who are proven to be false prophets.
• Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
• Jesus instructed Paul in Corinth after some Jews there opposed him and blasphemed God.

God’s Presence
Immanuel – ‘God with us’, this is one of Jesus’ names. What a blessing to know our Savior and friend is always with us (see Matthew 28:20).

• Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
• Not long before he dies, Moses encourages Israel with the promise of God’s presence.
• Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
• Jesus comforted His disciples as He approached them while He was walking on water. Realizing His presence calmed their fears!

Our walk with God requires us to find a balance; a balance of faith, understanding, confidence and acceptance.

• Genuine faith in God and what the Bible teaches us about Him.
• Incomplete understanding of what He has revealed to us.
• Life changing confidence in the truth and inerrancy of His Word.
• Humble acceptance of what we cannot fully understand.

We must fear God!

• Living in awe of Him and with reverence for Him.

We can’t help but to tremble before Him!

• The pride, self-confidence and deluded self-image of our human nature dissolve in the light of His perfect holiness (Jesus is our only hope).

But as His children, we should never be afraid of Him!

• He loves us! He died for us! He is coming for us!

Prayer

My Lord, my Savior, My King, My Father, I pray your Holy Spirit and the truth of Your Word will guide Your children to the proper balance of faith, understanding, confidence and acceptance. May Your Words ‘Do not be afraid’ calm fears, melt hearts, heal hurts and save the lost. I plead the blood of Jesus Christ and pray in His holy name, Amen.