As a Christian, are works important or not?

Yes and no.  I'm sure I have written about this before but let's cover it again. 

No, works are not important in getting to Heaven.  We are all save by our faith in Jesus. 

However, this is what Jesus said about works.

 

Matthew 16:27(NKJV)

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

 

We all get in to Heaven by faith but it is our works that determine our rewards in Heaven.  Those who do more work for God will receive a greater reward than those who accept Jesus but never do anything more than that. 

What a concept.  The harder you work, the better off you will be.  Seems to me that works both here on earth and in the afterlife!

So back to the first issue.  Have you done what it takes to get into Heaven?  Have you accepted Jesus yet?  If not, now would be a good time to do so.  Just ask Jesus to come into your life and guide you.  Have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus…." 

"…Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

I believe this is one of the biggest stumbling block to believers today.  That is why it is so important to be in the word everyday.  That helps you discern Scripture from the "doctrines of men".

 

Matthew 15:8-9(NKJV)

    ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,      And honor Me with their lips,     But their heart is far from Me.

    And in vain they worship Me,      Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 

Why didn't He do many mighty works there?

Matthew 13:57-58(NKJV)

So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” 

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

Hmm.  Did Jesus not do many mighty works there as a punishment for their unbelief or was it their unbelief itself that stopped the mighty works from happening? 

By your words you will be justified.

 

Matthew 12:37(NKJV)

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

I have written before questioning why Paul tells us that we have to say certain things to be saved while Jesus says it is a heart issue.  As long as your heart is right it is close enough. 

I wonder if the verse above is part of what Paul uses in his reasoning of why we have to say certain things.  If we don't actually say the words we can't be justified by them.

Does God test us?

There are some who believe that God doesn't test us directly.  He instead allows Satan to test us.

This Scripture says otherwise.  Sometimes God tests us directly.  To what purpose?  My belief is that He does it to promote growth.  He tests us to find out where we are strong and where we are weak.  That way He knows how to help us grow into the people He wants us to be. 

And also notice the caution in that statement.  "Do not fear"!  Do not fear God's tests. 

 

Exodus 20:20-21(NKJV)

And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 

So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

" …as you have believed, so let it be done for you."

 

As you believe.  As you believe.  As you believe. 

 

You have the power to change your life if you believe you do.

 

You have the power to change the world if you believe you do.

You have the power of belief…..as long as you remember that the power flows from Jesus and you make sure you give Him credit!

 

Matthew 8:13(NKJV)

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

One of my favorite verses

 

Matthew 7:6(NKJV)

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

 

How do we decide who the dogs and the swine are?  Jesus is obviously talking about people.  He is instructing us to make a judgement.  Just 5 verses previous He told us not to judge.  So what gives? 

 

In the case of the dogs and swine, Jesus tells us how to make that judgement.  We are to observe the fruit that these people produce.  If they produce "bad fruit" then they are dog or swine.  Make sense?