Matthew5:16NASB"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,and glorify your father who is in heaven."
In the book of Genesis we are told that upon man's creation he was promptly put to work by his creator,see Genesis2:15.
This appears to follow a pattern established much earlier,at Proverbs8:30 the first of Jehovah's creatures poetically referred to as wisdom personified,speaks of being employed as a master craftsman by Jehovah after his creation.
In the book of Ecclesiastes we are reminded that rewarding work is a blessing from Jehovah,Ecclesiastes3:12,our lord tells us the worker is worthy of his wages,Matthew10:10.Assuring all who are zealously occupied in the service of Jehovah God that they need not be weighed down with anxious care as to their material needs.But curiously to hear some tell it, work is a curse.What else can we make of comments by some that find fault with Jehovah's Witnesses for our Zeal in fulfilling the great commission Matthew28:19,20 or our striving toward moral and spiritual purity James4:8.
Some see in all this(or claim to see) an attempt to earn salvation via works,as they put it.
So is a Christian's worship of Jehovah centred on works or faith?The premise here seems to be that there can actually be some kind of delinking of the two,but is this thought borne out in scripture.James2:17NIV"In the same way faith by itself,if it is not accompanied by action,is dead."Consider also James2:19NIV"You believe there is one God.Good!Even the demons believe that-and shudder."So rather than the false dichotomy suggested by our leading question.The scriptures show the believer's worship of Jehovah to be a continuum of faith and works,each reinforcing the other.
And isn't this what obtains in every day life,our confidence affects our actions,if we have confidence for example in the weatherman,we will act one way,if don't we will act another.
Our confidence(or lack thereof) in our leaders and expert counsellors affects the way we react to their leadership or counsel.
So then what about Jehovah as leader/counsellor.As Christians we are to promote the kingdom of Jehovah Matthew10:7 i.e we recommend Jehovah's leadership/rulership as the solution to humanity's current predicament.
Wouldn't our preaching of the gospel of Jehovah's kingdom ring hollow if we did not live in obedience to Jehovah's commands or attempt to make practical application of his counsel.More to the point failure to obey Jehovah's will as conveyed by his son Jesus Christ will render us displeasing to him matthew7:21-23.Both Jehovah and his son hate hypocrisy and lawlessness Matthew23:13.
On the positive side being busy in the work of Jehovah is a safeguard from corruption 1Corinthians15:58 as well as being a source of Genuine fulfillment Matthew4:34.So the work of Jehovah is a portion of his reward rather than a mere means to this reward.For those with a Genuine love for Jehovah expending oneself in his service and experiencing his blessings on your efforts is a source of great satisfaction and joy Acts20:35.There is no greater blessing for the slave of Jehovah than to have his work viewed with approval by his master and to receive his commendation Matthew25:21.
So for Jehovah's servants we don't work for a blessing,being used by Jehovah is a blessing.
So is a Christian's worship of Jehovah centred on works or faith?The premise here seems to be that there can actually be some kind of delinking of the two,but is this thought borne out in scripture.James2:17NIV"In the same way faith by itself,if it is not accompanied by action,is dead."Consider also James2:19NIV"You believe there is one God.Good!Even the demons believe that-and shudder."So rather than the false dichotomy suggested by our leading question.The scriptures show the believer's worship of Jehovah to be a continuum of faith and works,each reinforcing the other.
And isn't this what obtains in every day life,our confidence affects our actions,if we have confidence for example in the weatherman,we will act one way,if don't we will act another.
Our confidence(or lack thereof) in our leaders and expert counsellors affects the way we react to their leadership or counsel.
So then what about Jehovah as leader/counsellor.As Christians we are to promote the kingdom of Jehovah Matthew10:7 i.e we recommend Jehovah's leadership/rulership as the solution to humanity's current predicament.
Wouldn't our preaching of the gospel of Jehovah's kingdom ring hollow if we did not live in obedience to Jehovah's commands or attempt to make practical application of his counsel.More to the point failure to obey Jehovah's will as conveyed by his son Jesus Christ will render us displeasing to him matthew7:21-23.Both Jehovah and his son hate hypocrisy and lawlessness Matthew23:13.
On the positive side being busy in the work of Jehovah is a safeguard from corruption 1Corinthians15:58 as well as being a source of Genuine fulfillment Matthew4:34.So the work of Jehovah is a portion of his reward rather than a mere means to this reward.For those with a Genuine love for Jehovah expending oneself in his service and experiencing his blessings on your efforts is a source of great satisfaction and joy Acts20:35.There is no greater blessing for the slave of Jehovah than to have his work viewed with approval by his master and to receive his commendation Matthew25:21.
So for Jehovah's servants we don't work for a blessing,being used by Jehovah is a blessing.
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