Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Matthew 7:13

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

 

 

DECEITFUL HEART

 

Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength and whose heart departs from the LORD!"

Jeremiah 17:9-10

The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and its sickness is incurable. Who can understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind, to give each person according to his ways, according to what his deeds deserve." John 8:44

44"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not hold to the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his own language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Ephesians 6:11-18

Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness. And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and always taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

 

POST PHRASE: "THE SAVED PRODUCE GOOD WORKS BUT GOOD WORKS NEVER PRODUCE SAVED PEOPLE"

Works are deeds or work, performed by God or by people. God’s works are known for their greatness (Psalm 92:5), effectiveness and wisdom. Everything God has done is excellent (Psalm 111:3), perfect and wonderful (Psalm 139:14). As the executor of the entire universe, nothing escapes the Lord’s knowledge or control. Nothing is too hard for Him to do (Jeremiah 32:17).

Human works, in turn, can be good or bad. However, God expects good works from His children and has already prepared them even before His people do them (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are the fruit of a heart that believes and trusts in the Lord.

Attitudes reveal a little of the essence of who we are. Therefore, we need to believe (without faith we cannot please God) and demonstrate our faith in practice (good works). Faith without good works is dead (James 2:24-26). Therefore, in the life of a Christian, faith and works must be allies.

But the extreme of this is not biblical: works do not save anyone. Our salvation came by the grace of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8) and we will be justified by the work of Christ on the cross, in our place (Romans 3:20).

People can also be recognized by what they usually do. Through their "fruits" or practices, each individual reveals his or her character (Matthew 7:16).

Some works of men are repugnant to God (Psalm 115:4)

Jesus Christ came performing the same works as the heavenly Father (John 10:37-38). Wonderful works and miracles, nothing and no one can compare to what the Lord did and does.

Jesus knows the works of His people (Revelation 2:19) and wants our faith to produce fruits of righteousness.

Works in the Bible

How great are your works, O Lord,

how profound are your purposes!

Psalm 92:5

Your works are majestic and magnificent,

and your righteousness endures forever.

Psalm 111:3

Ah, Lord, you made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

You see, a person is justified by works, not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she welcomed the spies and sent them out another way? Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

James 2:24-26

You will recognize them by their fruits. Can anyone pick grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:16

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by obeying the law, for through the law we become conscious of sin.

Romans 3:20

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—and you have been saved through faith.

Ephesians 2:8

I praise you because you have made me in a wonderful and wonderful way. Your works are wonderful!

I say this with conviction.

Psalm 139:14

If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." John 10:37-38