Are You Required to Do Anything?

Next Part Some Reject God’s Authority Over Them

Are Christians required to obey the laws of God? What is the answer—the truth—from the Word of God?

Jesus never taught that people should just “believe on Him” to receive salvation. When a young, rich man asked Him what he must do to have “eternal life”—receive salvation—Christ did not tell him, “Just believe in Me.” Instead, He told him, “If you will enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.” Hearing this, the disciples were shocked. (So are most ministers and churchmen.) They did not understand how this was possible and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Christ answered, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:17, 25-26). It is possible to obey God.

Christians must not continue in sin after baptism and conversion. Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? GOD FORBID. How shall we, that are dead to sin [Christ had paid the penalty for us], live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1-2).

Rom 6:12 amplifies this: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Rom 6:14-16 continue, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin [transgress the law, I John 3:4], because we are not under the law, but under grace? GOD FORBID. Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Christians are under grace. But, while they are no longer “under the law”—under the death penalty that past disobedience brings—they now obey God. Forgiveness for past sins is not a license to freely commit future sins.

In Mark 7:7-8, Christ said, “Howbeit IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” It is possible to worship Christ in vain. It is possible to think about Him, talk about Him and refer to Him often as Lord—ALL IN VAIN!

Now notice: “Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven [“of” not “in” heaven]; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Paul wrote, “the DOERS of the law [God’s] shall be justified” (Rom. 2:13).

A Christian is one who actually does certain things. His responsibility is more than just belief. In the context of explaining the difference between those who build their house on a rock and those who build on sand, Christ said, “And why call you Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). A Christian does what God says to do! Also, carefully read James 1:22-25; 2:8-12, 14, 17-20. These verses substantiate Christ’s instruction commanding true Christians to keep the laws of God, tying works and faith together. They show it is not faith OR works but faith AND works.

The Bible speaks of “the Holy [Spirit], [which] God has given [IT IS A GIFT] to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Receiving God’s Spirit is preceded by repentance (of breaking God’s law) and baptism (Acts 2:38). It is at this point that a new spirit-begotten life begins. The newly begotten child of God is now a “joint-heir with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). He becomes part of the true Church that Christ promised to build and lead (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18), which He feeds through His true ministry (Eph. 4:11-15).

But what about “having love”? Are not Christians merely those who “show love”? If so, what is it? Let’s consider several more verses. Let’s clear up all confusion!

Paul wrote, “...because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy [Spirit] which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). When a Christian receives God’s Spirit, he receives some (a very little at first) of the love of God. Over time, through actively exercising it, the depth and amount of love grows.

There are two different ways of life. One is the “GIVE” way—the way of love and outgoing concern—God’s way. The other is the “GET” way—the way of selfishness and self-concern—man’s way. Some focus entirely on “getting” salvation for themselves, in the meantime doing as little as possible. Christ taught that it is “more blessed to GIVE than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

With this in mind, what is the Bible definition of love?

John wrote, “For this is the love of God, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: and His commandments are not grievous” (I John 5:3). Many who claim to have love believe that the commandments are grievous. God says they are not. He calls His law “holy, just, good and spiritual” (Rom. 7:12, 14).

The Bible explains, through Paul, that the commandments and the law are the same: “Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW” (Rom. 13:10). The Bible defines love as “the fulfilling of the law.”

A more detailed explanation of love is found in I Corinthians 13. Take the time to carefully read this chapter. Demonstrating God’s love involves many different aspects of conduct—action—works—that are done by the Christian!

Only if they keep men’s laws can all people walk free within their societies. Citizens of every nation understand that freedom is a privilege, which can be forfeited by law-breaking. Surely God is not less wise than men. People are free in Christ only if they obey Him.

So, a Christian is a “doer” not just a “believer” or “hearer.” Salvation is a gift, but there are qualifying conditions—behaviour, conduct, works—that must be performed, or belief in Christ is in vain! And one who claims to have love must perform definite “works” of obedience to the law, which demonstrate it.

Why This Booklet?

This booklet is written to explain the reward that a Christian can expect in the next life. Its purpose is to directly connect one’s works in THIS LIFE to the degree of reward that will be given in the NEXT LIFE. The Bible has much to say and you must recognize how vital this understanding is to your future. Being “saved by grace” and “rewarded according to works” are entirely different matters. Few understand that it is not one or the other—IT IS BOTH!

Do not misunderstand the tremendous significance of the material here. Almost nothing you will read from The Restored Church of God will be more important than the answer to the question raised in this booklet’s title. The purpose here is to explain the relationship between your works in this life and your reward in the next life.

“Works” Are Not Rituals of Moses’ Law

The Bible repeatedly states that Christians will be rewarded later according to their works now. We will see that this is an absolutely CLEAR—PLAIN—teaching of scripture. But, what kind of works is this referring to? The Bible actually refers to works with two different intended meanings. This booklet will focus on one of them.

Paul’s epistles to the Romans and the Galatians make reference to “the works of the law.” The Greek word for this, ergon, refers to the tedious physical ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices that ancient Israel was required to perform under certain circumstances. The book of Leviticus and other places discuss them in detail. They were often required to be performed in conjunction with obedience to the Ten Commandments.

But, this is not the meaning that we will focus upon. Ergon can also refer to “physical work, action, labor or acts of spiritual righteousness.” Invariably, when this meaning is intended, the word “works” stands alone, omitting the phrase “of the law” (God’s law, the Ten Commandments). The often-used Greek word praxis, often translated “works,” also has a nearly identical meaning.

You cannot live your life without doing many things each day. All the things that you do are either good or bad. They are your “works.” They define you for what you are. Solomon wrote, “Even a child is known by his doings” (Prov. 20:11). If this is true of children, how much more so of adults? While salvation is a gift, your reward in God’s kingdom will be determined solely by your “works” now, in this life. Understand this!

Before examining the scriptures that prove this, you must first understand a little of what salvation will primarily entail.

Saints to Rule

Christians pray, “Thy kingdom come.” Many scriptures demonstrate that Christ will establish the kingdom of God at His Return. Will He rule by Himself—or will others rule with Him? When He establishes His world-ruling government, how will it be structured?

Examine what Daniel recorded about this kingdom. Daniel 7:13 speaks of Christ’s coming. Before His Return, God will officially grant Him the authority to rule the world. Dan 7:14 states, “And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

Exactly how does God intend to manage all of the peoples and nations of earth? Again, will Christ rule alone, or with others?

Several more verses in Daniel 7:1-28 are critical to understand. Notice Dan 7:18: “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.” That is right! The ultimate calling of true Christians is to join Christ and share rulership in the kingdom of God over all nations and peoples. Truly, Christ is “KING of kings and LORD of lords.”

Now read Dan 7:22: “…and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.”

Dan 7:27 confirms the marvellous potential lying ahead for all the true saints of God: “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”

Christ states, “And he that OVERCOMES, and KEEPS MY WORKS unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall RULE them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father” (Rev. 2:26-27) and a few verses later He adds, “To him that OVERCOMES will I grant to sit with Me in My throne…” (Rev 3:21)

Christians are overcomers. They understand that they must “keep” Christ’s “works.” They do not sit idle, “just believing” in Jesus. They recognize that they are in training to be teachers and rulers!

Revelation 5:10 adds, “[God] has made us unto our God kings [rulers] and priests [teachers]: and we shall REIGN on the earth.” No wonder Christ said, in the Sermon on the Mount, “the meek…shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Also see Jude 14-15.

The phrase “in My throne” (Rev. 3:21) is used because Christ understood that His throne is on this earth—unlike the Father’s throne, which is in heaven. Luke 1:32 shows that Christ will sit in Jerusalem on the throne of David.

Revelation 20:4, 6 states, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them…and they lived and REIGNED with Christ a thousand years…Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall REIGN with Him a thousand years.”

What could be plainer than these verses? When Christ returns, the saints rule with Him! They will reign over the entire world with Him!

Now, could anyone seriously believe that God would give such enormous power to those who have not qualified and learned to use it? Could a human king effectively rule a country without any training? Of course not!