BY YOUR WORKS

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you (Mathew 21: 28-31).

Good day my dearly beloved brethren, siblings, friends and followers and I say followers with all humility, appreciation and thanks to you all and for others who are yet to follow my ministry I say that Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

I say brethren as in Abram and Lot (Genesis 13:8), siblings as in Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-2), friends as Amnon and Jonadab (2 Samuel 13:3) followers as in John and Judas Iscariot (Luke 6:12-16) I say followers because a disciple might or might not be a follower for as it is written that From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve (John 6:66-71).

Time will fail me if I tell of the different types of spouses like Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29-31) Zacharias and Elisabeth (Luke 1: 5-7) Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-2) Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3-5) in all these marriages we see the truth in the Scriptural question that Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3).

The book of Mathew chapter 21 and verses 28-31 confirms the truth in what Jesus said that 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 (Mathew 7:21). My question today is that are you walking in the center, circumference, parameter and territory of the will of God if not you have to repent like the first son and do His will (Mathew 21:28-29) or are you an unconverted church goer, a nominal Christian, hypocritical believer and pretender like the second son? (Mathew 21:30)

it is written Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto Him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you (Mathew 21:31) Know therefore that it is a certain and true that if you don’t repent then the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

✓The Publican

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted (Luke 18:10-14).

Please stop judging others or calling them names. Why do you keep on telling God about all the good things that you are doing? you must understand that without Jesus Christ all our righteousness are as filthy rags for as it is written But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isaiah 64:6). Blessed be the name of Jesus for it is written that For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Today I bring Jesus Christ words to you, For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mathew 5:20). May God have mercy on us in Jesus name Amen.

✓The Harlot

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace (Hebrew 11:31)

It is written that For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9) Yes not by works for it is written that Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:4-5). Not by yourself or by your works for Jesus Christ has already paid the price of your salvation on the Cross for as it is written When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit (John 19:30) For as it is written that And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2)

However the harlot Rahab is a classic example of what is written that Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (James 2:18) Here we see the importance of faith, abiding faith, indwelling faith, saving faith, loving faith, increasing faith and practical faith for as it is written Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (Jame 2:17) yes faith without works is dead for it is written that Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19).

✓ Faith that works by Love

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6)

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:14-17).

According to the testimony of the Scriptures the harlot Rahab hid the two spies that Joshua sent to spy secretly the land of Jericho so that they were not discovered (Joshua 2:1-4) at that moment they needed refuge and she gave them one and this was her work of faith with love. As you read the heroes and hall book of faith from Noah who prepared an ark to the saving of his house to Gideon,Barak,Samson,Jephthae,David,Samuel and of the prophets and believers (Hebrews 11) all of them have one thing in common and that is their work of faith through love for did not Prophet Samuel to the Israelites that Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way (1 Samuel 12:23) and Apostle equally said to the Church in Corinth that And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved (2 Corinthians 12:15).

Though you might be a harlot like Rahab you don’t have to continue in that lifestyle for I bring you good news today that it is written For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). No matter your past or present do not condemn yourself for it is written that For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17).

Today is the day of salvation, only repent and believe for it is written that But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:8-10) Congratulations my sister and I pray that you will remain a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2b).

✓ Conclusion

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and this we can do for it is written that Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Love and serve God and also help and care for your brother either biological or fellow believer for it is written that But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18) finally As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

Be at peace