Articles
Actions of a Saved Child of God
Actions can be categorized as good, bad, or righteous. Regardless of our relationship with God, we can be in a state where our actions don’t truly reflect His teachings. The Bible defines any act that goes against God’s wishes as sin. Committing sin is bad because it eternally separates us from Him. (Isaiah 59:2) Some actions have no effect on our soul regardless of the choice that is made. People will not go to Heaven or Hell because they chose to become a scientist instead of a fireman. Now a question stands: What is the difference between the actions of a good person and the righteous actions of a saved one?
When I first heard about the Lord, it was very hard for me to separate goodness from righteousness. Especially since verses like Hebrews 13:16 that reads, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Before I became a Christian it seemed like all I had to do to be right with God was be an upstanding person. Therefore, I gave to charity, didn’t steal, and would try to live honestly. I would ask myself, “Why do Christians say and my actions are still not right with God?” They said this for three reasons: baptism, repentance, and glory.
Jesus Christ said in John 3:5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Baptism is important because it is where Christians symbolically bathe in the blood of their divine savior, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:22 says, “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Since sins separate mankind from God, the way to begin a relationship with Him and be forgiven of past sins is to bathe in the blood of Jesus. During baptism, Christians also announce their belief in Jesus Christ and vow to live according to His teachings. Baptism formally makes us a member of Christ’s church and as a member we have a constant avenue for repentance.
1 Timothy 2:5, says “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Through Jesus Christ, members of His church a way to communicate with God and ask for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance is not a way of saying, “I’m sorry” and moving on, but it is an honest commitment to adhere to God’s standards and do better for His sake. Romans 6:12-14 says, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” The concept of repentance under God’s grace can be summed in the phrase, “People are not sinless, but they can sin less.” If a child of His truly desires to grow in their relationship with Him, then that person should work hard to adhere to His standards as much as they can.
Adhering to God’s standards is about glorifying Him above all else. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” When Christians glorify God they will shine His light to others and spread His commands to help others be eternally saved. As members of God’s church, the credit for good work’s should go to Him first and foremost. Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The reason why the glory goes to God is because he knows what is good more than people do.
Psalm 145:17 reads, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” The biggest example of this is God’s grace. He sent His only son to die a brutal death on the cross, so that mankind could be eternally saved, despite being enemies of His. Following God is more than simply being good instead of bad because it is all about being righteous. Believing in Him and obeying His commands will eternally save you from all that is bad and sinful. Everyday we have to choose the kind of people we want to be. Will your actions define you as good, bad, or righteous?
