There’s definitely a confusing dynamic between faith and deeds presented in the Bible and addressed in this passage in revelation. From what I understand from teachings on it, deeds are to come from an overflow of the love and joy our faith in God brings. If we truly have faith in him and follow him, we will naturally do good deeds as an outpouring of that love that we feel
6Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
This is so interesting to me as a relatively new believer. This passage depicts a very different image than what I had thought up in my mind about the resurrection and judgment day.
My pastor often preaches about not worrying about “acts” or putting a check in the box and that we can all enter heaven with God’s grace and forgiveness… But reading this passage, where the dead are all judged on what is written in the book and what they have done, I am left wondering…
That’s why it’s so important to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what was being taught was true. We need to read and study God’s word ourselves and when we have questions search out a trustworthy source for help. We will All stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Ya kinda scary. What we do with our lives does matter, not for salvation but for our eternal rewards. (Of course not everyone will be saved.)
I can totally see what you mean Ashlee. It can be confusing as we read through the Bible and find what can initially look like conflicting information. It’s so important for us to dig deeper and do our own research. So many accuse the Bible of falsities or mistakes and in this last year I have come to realize that is simply not true. But it’s something I had to learn for myself. Anyway, your comment had me thinking since yesterday and I prayed before I wrote to you that I would say the right thing. Basically, we are not saved by deeds. The nicest person in the word, if not a believer, will not be saved. So no matter how “good” you are, that will not/cannot save you. Our role model is Christ and He is perfect so we will always fall short. Praise God for His grace and mercy because we are saved anyway- we are not called to be perfect, we are called to have faith. Now, with that said, what we do in this life matters. How we live affects others, we are to be lights in this dark world. We are given rules, given commandments, given a guide on how to live and what to do and when we make bad choices, we will have to answer for them. Our God is just and with that means justice which can also mean punishment when we are insolent, unsympathetic or selfish. Very much so like a parent scolding a child. It is done to help the child repent and learn but done correctly it is always done with love. Does that help? One more day of reading and then we get to start again!! :) I encourage you to keep going, keep reading, keep digging. It has been an amazing journey this year (and I started in July and just decided to play “catch up”- I would read 4-6 days a day while nursing until I caught up to the current read and then just did the one a day).
Wow…there are amazing days that lie ahead. Thankful we serve the One true God who is trustworthy and epitomizes true love Ex 34:6 “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…”
It is an encouragement to me that there is purpose in continuing in my faith walk. I do not want to have the fate that some will have. Even through it all though– God is good… All the time!!!
Oh, how good it is to read revelations. I often put it on the back burner. Yes, We serve a mighty God!! Who is so loving, gentle and kind and forgiving. Yet, I think we forget he is JUST and we are to have a holy fear of Him!
Couldn’t have been worded better!
There’s definitely a confusing dynamic between faith and deeds presented in the Bible and addressed in this passage in revelation. From what I understand from teachings on it, deeds are to come from an overflow of the love and joy our faith in God brings. If we truly have faith in him and follow him, we will naturally do good deeds as an outpouring of that love that we feel
❤️
6Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
I really love the way you discuss this kind of topic.*.`-.
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
If you believe the Bible to be true, how could it not effect what you do?
This is so interesting to me as a relatively new believer. This passage depicts a very different image than what I had thought up in my mind about the resurrection and judgment day.
My pastor often preaches about not worrying about “acts” or putting a check in the box and that we can all enter heaven with God’s grace and forgiveness… But reading this passage, where the dead are all judged on what is written in the book and what they have done, I am left wondering…
That’s why it’s so important to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what was being taught was true. We need to read and study God’s word ourselves and when we have questions search out a trustworthy source for help. We will All stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Ya kinda scary. What we do with our lives does matter, not for salvation but for our eternal rewards. (Of course not everyone will be saved.)
I can totally see what you mean Ashlee. It can be confusing as we read through the Bible and find what can initially look like conflicting information. It’s so important for us to dig deeper and do our own research. So many accuse the Bible of falsities or mistakes and in this last year I have come to realize that is simply not true. But it’s something I had to learn for myself. Anyway, your comment had me thinking since yesterday and I prayed before I wrote to you that I would say the right thing. Basically, we are not saved by deeds. The nicest person in the word, if not a believer, will not be saved. So no matter how “good” you are, that will not/cannot save you. Our role model is Christ and He is perfect so we will always fall short. Praise God for His grace and mercy because we are saved anyway- we are not called to be perfect, we are called to have faith. Now, with that said, what we do in this life matters. How we live affects others, we are to be lights in this dark world. We are given rules, given commandments, given a guide on how to live and what to do and when we make bad choices, we will have to answer for them. Our God is just and with that means justice which can also mean punishment when we are insolent, unsympathetic or selfish. Very much so like a parent scolding a child. It is done to help the child repent and learn but done correctly it is always done with love. Does that help? One more day of reading and then we get to start again!! :) I encourage you to keep going, keep reading, keep digging. It has been an amazing journey this year (and I started in July and just decided to play “catch up”- I would read 4-6 days a day while nursing until I caught up to the current read and then just did the one a day).
Wow…there are amazing days that lie ahead. Thankful we serve the One true God who is trustworthy and epitomizes true love Ex 34:6 “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…”
It is an encouragement to me that there is purpose in continuing in my faith walk. I do not want to have the fate that some will have. Even through it all though– God is good… All the time!!!
I agree also, Meredith. I like the phrase “holy fear”.
Oh, how good it is to read revelations. I often put it on the back burner. Yes, We serve a mighty God!! Who is so loving, gentle and kind and forgiving. Yet, I think we forget he is JUST and we are to have a holy fear of Him!
Amen. He is faithful