When building a house the first part to be constructed, and the most important part, is the foundation–that upon which the building is built. In the Matthew 7:21-27 parable about constructing our spiritual houses, one notices that, though the houses are built alike, it is the foundation that determines whether our house will stand or fall when the storms come. Note also that the quality of the two foundations involves one’s obedience to God’s Word. A rock foundation involves obedience; a sand foundation involves disobedience. The Lord’s Words concerning the Ten Commandments and their foundation [the “great commandment(s)] reveal that, if taken alone and applied correctly, the foundational statement: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. and …. you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” if taken alone would be enough in that it covers everything involved in the Christian walk. The Ten Commandments spell out in detail what the Lord said about the “great commandment(s)”–the Royal Law. Notice that the first four commandments involve one’s love for God, and that the final six involve one’s love for his fellow man. We are commanded to love nothing else–not the world nor the things of the world (1 Jn. 2:15).

Both the Old and New Commandments are filled with commandments concerning how one must SHOW his love for both God and man. “Love” is an emotion. The prevailing idea is that one need only emotionally love God and man, that there are no “works” involved. This universally accepted theological “fact” has no scriptural basis. First John chapters 2 and 3 along with James chapter two dispel that fallacy in no uncertain terms.

In 1 John 2 we are told that love for God and man are not enough, we must DO WORKS  to PROVE our love. For example, in verses 3-6 we are told that we must show our love for God by KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS–“loving” Him and obeying church-prescribed doctrines are not enough. In verse 6 James uses the word “walk” to describe the works God commands of us, noting that in order to receive eternal life we must “WALK (work) even as He (Jesus) walked” while on earth. Jesus loved the Father, but He had to prove it by His actions, thoughts and words. In verse 17 we are told that he who DOES the will of the Father will abide with Him forever. A mental agreement with God does not suffice. In 1 John 3 we find that the one who expects to be saved PURIFIES HIMSELF, even as Christ is pure (vs. 3). How? By the “washing of the water by the Word” of God (Eph. 5:26). The Word of God purifies the one who believes and obeys it. In verse 10 we are told that whoever does not DO RIGHTEOUSNESS is not of God. Note that righteousness must be DONE. Believing that we receive righteousness from the Lord without afterward doing, thinking and speaking that righteousness is to deny the Word of the Lord. In verse 7 it is noted that he who DOES RIGHTEOUSNESS is righteous, even as He (Christ) is righteous. “The man Jesus Christ” who sits at the right hand of God (1 Tim. 2:5) is righteous because He DID and DOES righteousness.

In the second chapter of the Book of James we find the Lord speaking through the apostle about WORKS relative to faith. In verse 14 He asks what spiritual profit is there for a man who has faith but does not do works relative to his faith. He asks, “Can faith save him?” The answer is “No.” In verse 17 we are told that faith without works is dead. In the next verse we are instructed to demonstrate our faith by our works. In verse 20 the Lord says that faith without works is the result of vanity. Then in verse 24 He notes that it takes both faith and works to be justified. Initial justification is solely by God’s grace through our faith. However, we maintain our justification through works of faith (Rom. 2:13). In James 1:23 we are told that we must be DOERS of the Word and not merely hearers of the Word. Those who only hear it deceive themselves. A customer brings his car to a mechanic to fix the engine. The mechanic knows HOW to fix the engine. He knows he CAN fix the engine. But until he FIXES the engine he will not be paid. To be continued. L.J.