Case for ‘believing Demons’ (mockery) – conclusion.

We started this series with a conversation. We end it with an other conversation.

I was once talking to a Hindu man. Very inclined to thinking. We were talking about general stuff, and I asked does he trust God. 

“Of course “ he exclaimed, with a question in his eyes, ‘why would I even ask that?’

I asked him again, “God is pure”, he nodded acknowledging, “now how do reach God, what happens when you die?”

He looked at me and he continued, “see, I have good thoughts, I never wish anyone bad. I have done good to people who have done bad, I never hurt anyone, I am scared to hurt anyone, because I fear God. I help people, I am not rich, I am covetous, I am content,”

He stopped and he said, “content, being content is everything, you see, all temptation comes from desire and looking at your neighbours and thinking, I should drive that car, or should dress like this or that. Temptation.”, “But being content is the word. I help people, I do not think of me highly, I do lowly job. I think good things and help people.”

 He finished speaking. I took a pause, waiting if he had more to say. He was finished. I still took a breathe, before I spoke. 

I really loved him, he is a good man. I said, “Raj, I thought you said, you trusted God.

 But when I hear you now, it seems you trust your good deeds to reach God.

You mentioned about your good deeds and you believe that your good deeds, your good karma will save you before God.

Do you trust God or your good deeds?

What you really mean is this ‘I can be saved by my good deeds’

Do you see the pride in it. It starts with an ‘I’ and ends with ‘I’?”

He took a step a backwards. Not figuratively, but literally. He took a step backwards and now there a feet of gab between us.

He looked at me, “I have never thought of it, that way”, he said. He paused for a while, then he became happy, he continued, “thank you” he said, “ this is new way of thinking, thank you, if not by good deeds, now tell me how do I reach God?” , he asked.

You know the answer I would have told him 😀

The point is this ‘trust’

We saw the formula from Galatians

Faith + works = zero

From James

Faith – works = zero 

There is nothing wrong with works. It is the trust on works that negates it.

What is the relationship between faith and work? 

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Work is produced by Faith. Work is the result of faith and is prompted by love. Endurance by hope.

Work doesn’t produce faith. Faith produces work. Faith without works is like a fig tree without a fig. Meant to dry out empty. 

Faith produces work. Work is the result of faith.

I strive to live holy not to please God, nor to make Him love me, or to earn his favour. But ont the contrary, because God is pleased with me, because He loves me and becasue He has enabled me with His favour, I strive to live out that which is within. Holy Spirit.

Not by my works, not by deeds. But by Spirit, by His Spirit.

I would change the lyrics to this song. Enjoy it.