Labor

I was going to write another piece about work for Labor Day. Then I ran into a problem. The origin of Labor Day is, as it turns out, a celebration not of workers, but of unions. Labor Day started from those in New York's Central Labor Union, designed to celebrate the "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations". You see, not all workers; just those in the unions. So, while I certainly celebrate those who work (as Scripture does), I think I'll pass up celebrating labor unions. How about something else on work?

We know that as believers we are not saved by works. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. We know that. The sense we get from that, however, is often that works are, therefore, of little consequence. We're not saved by them. And it's wrong to do them for the reward. And once we're saved, we're always saved. So why get upset over it? Just let it go. If you work, you work. If not, you'll still end up in the same place. Some Christians even get miffed when you bring up works. It upsets them. "We're not saved by works!" they'll practically shout and urge you to stop harking on the subject.

Well, excuse me, but it's not me; it's the Bible.

We know, from the start, that works were an issue in the Bible. I mean, how much of the first five books is about laws and rules and regulations? God had a standard of behavior that He wanted followed. I've been told that there are 613 laws in the Old Testament for God's people to follow. Regardless of what you conclude about them, I think it's pretty clear that God is concerned about how we act, live, relate to one another, and how we relate to Him. Works are important.

But, we are not saved by works.

The emphasis on works did not stop in the Old Testament. Jesus hit on it the first thing in His Sermon on the Mount. He said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:16) See your what? That's right; "good works". The theme carries on through. Every book has instructions on living, commands, rules, if you will. We are supposed to live a certain way. There is no denying it. There are rewards for works (Matt 25:31-46). James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17). While asserting in the clearest possible way that "by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph 2:8-9), Paul goes on to say, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10) See that? "For". Follow it through. We are saved by grace through faith apart from works because we are His workmanship and, in that workmanship, we were created for good works.

But, we are not saved by works.

There is no getting around it. We are not saved by works. We are saved by faith. Faith, however, is only demonstrated in works. Genuine, saving faith must produce works. As Jesus put it, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (John 14:15) Not "may". Not "should". You will.

Work is important. Our work of faith is important. It demonstrates living faith. It glorifies the Father. It is the aim of salvation. It is what God wants. I'd say, then, that it's a good thing that when we're commanded to work (Phil 2:12) it is on the basis of God working in us (Phil 2:13). The work of the Spirit in us that powers and encourages us to serve God is valuable, necessary, and largely the point of what we're supposed to be doing here on earth. Something to celebrate.