Faith

Labor of Love, or Slave Labor?

by Curt Klingeman
09/01/24
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Not by Works

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This passage of Scripture is Christianity 101 in a nutshell. Right standing with God is predicated on grace and faith; it was never about trying to do good works. Good works are the result of our new nature in Christ Jesus. Sticking to the basics keeps things from becoming too complicated. The opposite is true if one adds things that don’t belong. There is freedom and rest when we keep things in order.
Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.

Works of Faith, and Labor of Love

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.
What is a work of faith? The short answer is obedience. It is faith in action. It was not some self-contrived, self-righteous work done for brownie points; much less, salvation. That would be dead works. So, how does faith work?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
First things first, we need to hear from God in order for something to be of faith. Merely doing something while stating, “I’m stepping out on faith,” does not necessarily constitute an act of faith. Why? God did not say. God has to speak to us first, then we obey what we heard. It may be His still quiet voice, an unction, a passage of Scripture that Holy Spirit highlights, prophecy, a word of knowledge or wisdom, and so on. He has a variety of ways in which He speaks to us. The bottom line is whatever it is, it generated from Him.
When we obey, it becomes a work of faith. To obey means to listen, and believe what He says, with the intent to fulfill His desire out of love. When we obey, and our work of faith benefits others, it is also a labor of love. In this sense, we co-labor with God, which keeps us in a state of rest, along with the joy of the Lord, which is our strength.

Slave Labor

It is unfortunate that some find themselves in bondage, after being set free. They become rule-followers, and people-pleasers. Why do Christians tack on works, after receiving freedom by faith? It’s kind of a faith plus works mentality. As if grace, and faith in Jesus Christ requires something more. The Bible speaks against adding works, because it removes us from faith. If you want to be worn out for the rest of your life, just be a rule-follower, and a people-pleaser.
Galatians 3:1-4 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace (to go deeper, read the books of Romans and Galatians).

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