Chapter 7: What About the Doctrine of Works?

Works have become a controversial issue in the Body of Christ.

Many are simply not mindful of the gravity of not having any works to show for the grace of God that was poured out in our lives. There is an apathetic mindset that does not regard the fact that we are commanded to “work” the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus, our Lord, addressed this issue with His disciples.

Branches Bear Fruit

John 15:1-2

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

It is safe to stay strictly with scripture when attempting to resolve controversial biblical issues. First of all, Jesus is speaking to the Church…”every branch in me.” Therefore, He is expecting every one in Him to bring forth fruit after salvation.

Now the argument of the unlearned starts with this scripture:

Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This passage addresses the fact that we had not done any good works that earned us salvation. It is indeed a gift of God. It also addresses the fact that we were created in Christ to walk in good works. The ‘good works’ here are the fruit of the Spirit which define the character of the sons of God. This passage has nothing to do with the works Jesus referred to in John 15.

Ministry Produces Fruit

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We were commanded to work the ministry of reconciliation after salvation. It is the responsibility of the Church to bring “many sons,” unto glory.

We are the only witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are the only ones who can testify that Jesus is alive, and that He is the Savior of the world. But we cannot do this unless we walk in Christ.

Fruitless Branches

John 15:6

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

It is important that we truly focus on what the Lord is saying here. Every branch or son who does not bring forth fruit is cast forth, or rather cut away from the vine, so that it might become withered and gathered by the angels and cast into the fire at the time appointed.

This is the judgment for those who bear no fruit. This judgment is determined while we are on the earth. The fruitless will not be raptured. Their destiny is sealed before the church is caught up from the earth.

Your Fruit Glorifies the Father

John 15:7-8

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Here is further proof that the fruit Jesus speaks of here, are the works produced by the ministry of Christ working through you. You shall ask, and it shall be done. This is how the Father is glorified; in the bearing of much fruit.

Ordained to Bring Forth Fruit:

John 15:16

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

We were chosen and ordained to bring sons into the kingdom of God. It is also the desire of God for our fruit to remain. This means that some of those whom we

bring into the kingdom may not remain in the kingdom, but become a part of those who fall away.

Let us see what Paul had to say about unstable fruit.

1 Corinthians 3:6-15

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Paul goes into great detail as to how God will deal with our works and our rewards. I want us to look at the time just after the rapture of the church.

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

We are in the 7th Trumpet (the last trumpet), Judgment. The church is about to be raptured.

Revelation 11:18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

SEA OF GLASS AND FIRE: The Judgment of Works?

Revelation 15:2

2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

After much persecution, the church is finally raptured and finds itself in Heaven. But the first place they land is on a sea of glass mingled with fire. Could this be the fire that will try our works, such as souls we brought into the kingdom, the ministry in the lives of others that edified, or souls who were delivered from captivity, etc.)

What we do know is that we don’t want to be without fruit. Because, this judgment is to determine whether the good works of ministry in the lives of others aided in getting them to this sea of glass. If we have no fruit, we will not make it to this judgment.

Beloved, abide faithful in working the ministry of reconciliation. Be a witness. Offer the kingdom of God to as many as possible.

WHAT IS THE DAY OF THE LORD FOR YOU?