Something to Do

I once read in a book this statement: “I regret that the word ‘Do’ appears in the Bible.” The writer was advocating salvation by faith alone. His point was that there is nothing that man must do in order to be saved. Unfortunately for the writer the word “Do” is in the Bible.

 

Jesus made it clear that there is something we must do if we are to enter into the kingdom of heaven. He said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Yes, we must do the will of God. Then Jesus went on to say, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23) People claim to do a lot of things in the name of the Lord but if it is not according to God’s instructions, it is worthless and vain. In still another passage Jesus asked this question: “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) Jesus is pointing out the obvious inconsistence of people who call Him Lord and at the same time fail to do what he says.

 

Of course, salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) but this does not mean that there is nothing that man must do in order to be saved. Jesus made it clear that in order to enter in to the kingdom of heaven one must “Do” the will of God.

 Claude