Learning the Bible

Question:

 Since I am employed in a secular job and unable join a Seminary, can I get Bible training in some way by being at home, so that I can know more about the Lord?

 Answer:

The love we have for God's Word, the place and priority we give the Bible in our lives is the indicator and measure of our love for God (John 14:21, 23).The more we know God's Word, and more the importance we give to God's Word in our daily lives, the more useful and beneficial it will be for our daily activities and needs (Psalm 119:97-105).

The best, easiest, and most effective method of learning God's Word is to read and study it personally, to meditate or to ponder upon it regularly, and to practically apply it in our day-to-day lives continually. If you are a Born Again Christian Believer by repenting of your sins and submitting your lives to the Lord Jesus, then the Holy Spirit of God resides in you (1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13), and to the followers or disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit Himself not only teaches all things about the Lord, but also makes them understand those teachings and to put them to practical use in their lives (John 14:26; 16:13-15). The fundamental and unalterable fact is that without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, no one can learn anything about God and His Word (1 Corinthians 2:11-14), from anywhere and from anyone. Hence the basic preliminary requirement to learn and understand the Bible is to be a Born Again Christian Believer so that the Holy Spirit of God can help and teach God's Word to you. Often people have a false fear that they are not good enough, or are not up to the moral standards required to learn God's Word. Such fears are false and from Satan; see from Psalms 25:8-14 a list of the kind of people God teaches His Word; and you will find that God does not withhold the teaching of His Word to us due to any weaknesses or shortcomings in us – He is ready and waiting, if we are ready to fulfill the preliminary requirement of being Born Again and come to Him in faith, to learn from Him.

I too am a person employed in a regular secular, and have never been to any Bible School or training program. I just trust in the Lord ask Him for His Word as per the need at hand, and whatever He gives, I share it with others, and endeavor to apply it in my own life as well. I regularly read the Bible according to a Bible Reading Plan, and by God's grace and guidance am able to read through the Bible from the beginning to the end, once every year. This has been going on for the last about thirty years, i.e. since the time I was Born Again, although by birth I belong to a 'christian' family, and was brought up observing all the traditional 'christian' rites and rituals. Whatever study and preparation is required to answer Biblical questions and for other Word related Ministry, is over and above this daily Bible reading. The desire to share with others, whatever God teaches me has resulted in God using me in this manner in this ministry of sharing and teaching His Word – on a voluntary basis, not for any remuneration, or for any status or position etc. in any Church or organization, but just so that I can help people learn and understand the Word of God and about our Lord God, and thereby learn more of God’s Word myself. I have found that the more I share God’s Word with others, the more I benefit from it personally, in many different ways.

Based on my own life experiences it is my suggestion that you begin by starting to read the Bible regularly and orderly – whether or not you are able to understand all that you read. The first time I read through the Bible, it was out of obstinacy born out of humiliation, that at least once in my life I will read through the Bible end to end, because a Hindu friend of mine had ridiculed me that you yourself have neither read nor know the Bible and you are trying to tell me about it – and since that first reading, I developed an interest and liking for the Word of God. But always do read God's Word with a prayerful, honest, seeking and submissive heart; ask God to teach and educate you (James 1:5) as you read His Word; and then whatever He tells or teaches you, apply it in your life as well as share it with some one, and you will find that as you do this regularly a change will come within you, you will develop an understanding about God's Word, and as you properly utilize whatever God has taught you, God will continue to teach you more and deeper things from His Word.

But beware, because fear of man do not hesitate or compromise in following, obeying and conveying whatever God has taught you from His Word – that will be detrimental (Proverbs 29:25; Jeremiah 1:9-10, 17-19; Galatians 1:10). It will take some patience and time in the beginning, because God will start by teaching and telling you the basic things in His way, as to a spiritual beginner (1 Peter 2:1-2). While He does this, you may have to 'unlearn' much of what men may have taught you, so as to be able to learn from God. He will give you that which is required in your life, and is according to the ministry He has planned for you. As you remain committed and faithful to Him, as you endeavor to use His Word honestly and correctly (2 Corinthian 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:15-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-16), gradually He will start taking you deeper into His Word, and using you more and more effectively for His service.Therefore have patience and never become complacent or lax in fulfilling your responsibility towards the Lord and His Word. Persevere in His ways, and you will never regret it in your life (Isaiah 40:31).

There is no better and easier way than this to learn God's Word.

Lent and Fasting

Question:

Should one fast during Lent?

Answer:

   Easter, Lent, fasting during Lent, Christmas etc. are traditions or festivals that are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, and neither are there any teachings or instructions about believing on them or observing them. Nor is it indicated or mentioned anywhere that by believing in them or observing them anybody was considered righteous by God; or that by not believing or not observing them anyone was considered unrighteous; nor is it anywhere stated that there was any gain or loss in a person’s blessings from God, by observing or not observing them.

   God in His wisdom did not have the date of birth, or of crucifixion of His Son documented in the Bible –although time-keeping and recording has been present since the days of Genesis –Genesis 7:4, 11; 8:4-5, 13-14. Therefore if these were so important and useful, then God would have had these so important dates of Christmas and Easter, related to His only begotten Son, recorded in the Bible. But He did not do so, nor has He ever expressed the desire that men ought to determine a date for them and observe these days and festivals; nor has He given any instructions or methodology of observing them. Christmas and Easter etc., initially were pagan days which those who converted to Christianity in a superficial manner did not stop observing but continued to observe in the name of ‘Christ’ instead of in the name of their former deities, after their becoming ‘christians’.। All these feasts, festivals and traditions are man-made rituals, that tend to promote appearing righteous by works; but their observances are vain according to the Bible (Matthew 15:8-9). Because all are self-righteousness is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6), and no can ever be righteous in God’s eyes through any kind of works (Romans 3:20, 28; Romans 4:2; Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). The only thing that pleases God is obedience to Him and His Word (1 Samuel 15:22). He hates vain feasts and festivals "Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them" (Isaiah 1:14; see Isaiah 1:11-18). God wants a good character and humility, and a true submission, commitment and obedience towards Him, not the observance of man-made and self-devised festivals (Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8).

   If the fast in Lent is in accordance with the forty day fast of the Lord Jesus then the things written in the Bible related to this fast by the Lord Jesus should also be a part of this Lent fasting. The description of this fast by the Lord Jesus is found in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13. From these portions of God’s Word we learn that:

·         The Lord Jesus observed this fast of 40 days only once, and that too at the begining of His Ministry, not at the time of His being caught and crucified. Neither did He repeat the fasting on certain deignated days, although the Passover feast was observed annually by the Israelites.

·         As it says in Matthew 4:1 during this period of fasting the Lord was alone in the wilderness, and the purpose of His being in the wilderness was for Him to be tempted by the devil. He had gone into there by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1), not to fulfill any tradition or observe any ritual.

·         In that period of 40 days He did not take any food (Luke 4:2).

·         During that fast of forty days the Lord was also tempted by the devil throughout those forty days (Luke 4: 2). At the end of those forty days the devil tempted Him with the three temptations mentioned in Matthew 4:3-11 and Luke 4:3-13, the ones we are commonly aware of.

   In the observance of the Lent and the fasting in the Lent period, is even one of any of the above ever seen? If not, then how can it be in accordance with the fast of the Lord Jesus? In that case, would it not be telling lies to the people in the name of the Lord and teaching them wrong doctrines, and deceiving them for a fruitless endeavor?

   Before His crucifixion the Lord and His disciples were not fasting, they observed the Passover; they sacrificed and ate of the Passover Lamb (Matthew 26:17-21). Therefore to observe the time preceding the Lord’s crucifixion as a ‘fast’ and abstain from eating meat in that time has no Biblical basis or precedence.

   We also see that the Lord never asked any of His disciples to do anything like what He had undergone at the beginning of His Ministry, when they started their ministry with Him. Neither later, in the book of Acts or in any of the Epistles, where under the guidance of the Holy Spirit many teachings and instructions have been given for the learning and improvement of Christian Believers, never has there been any mention or instruction regarding any such fast or practice.

   Such a ‘fast’ has neither any basis nor has any necessity, nor is it of any use, nor does God give it any consideration or reward – because such a ‘fast’ is neither given by nor desired by the Lord. Presently people traditionally observe a contrived a ‘fast’ and with a contrived purpose, but they disregard the admonition of Isaiah 1:14-15. But still they expect, and also teach to others, that when they observe it God will take it into consideration and bless them for it, as if God is under a compulsion to do so – which He most certainly is not!

   Why is it that people so enthusiastically accept and observe man-devised and contrived rituals and traditions but do not care about learning and obeying what God actually wants from them (1 Thessalonians 5:21)? Why do they blindly follow and remain committed to man devised rituals that have no Biblical sanction or standing, but are not committed and faithful in obeying God? Why?

   “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:1-6).

How can we Christian Believers be victorious in our struggle with feelings and emotions like anger, jealousy and hatred etc.

The feelings and emotions enumerated are "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-20), and it says in Galatians 5:16 "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." The Lord Jesus, after giving a list of evil things that defile a person, in Mark 7:20-21, concluded with the statement: "All these evil things come from within and defile a man"(vs.23). So if our mind and thoughts are preoccupied with the works of the flesh, with wrong and sinful ideas that cause defilement, then at the opportune moment, Satan will have us act accordingly and commit sin. We  can overcome these through the power of the Holy Spirit of God – given to every Born Again child of God to help and guide him in his Christian life (John 16:13). Therefore the first thing we need to do is be sure that we actually are a Born Again child of God, a Christian Believer, by confessing our sins before the Lord Jesus, asking for His forgiveness for them, and submitting our life to Him.

Unless one has experienced God’s forgiveness, we cannot be forgiving ourself, and the way to be victorious against such emotions and feelings is only through forgiveness – ask God to forgive us for being unforgiving, and we too forgive the person for whatever wrong he has done to us, just as the Lord has forgiven us all the wrong that we have committed against Him (Matthew 6:11, 14-15; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Colossians 3:13).

Next, since what is inside our heart and mind controls our thoughts and deeds, therefore we need to, fill our hearts and minds with Godly thoughts and God's Word. Spend time reading and studying God’s Word the Bible and listening to Christian songs and worship, and Christian messages. Also utilize our time in keeping company with God’s Born Again children, through Bible studies, Prayer meetings, and House fellowship meetings etc. as often as we can. We need to ask God to help us change our thoughts and desires into those in line with His Word and will for us. For doing this, Philippians 4:4-9 shows us the way:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! – Stay preoccupied with and rejoicing about the Lord – the things He has done, is doing, the help and security He provides, His continual presence with us, His promises for us, the eternal benefits He has bestowed upon us etc.

 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. – With the thoughts of the Lord Jesus and His attributes taking hold of our mind, strive to behave like Him – be tender and gentle to all, not just to some specific ones, and let this be evident in our behaviour.

 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; – Thank God for everything, good or bad, even the unexplainable and incomprehensible in our life, since there is nothing that happens in a Believers life that will not eventually work for his good (Romans 8:28) through the grace and will of God. Being thankful is being trusting and faithful to God. Therefore put forth our requests to God with thankfulness. The verse says - " let your requests be made known to God" i.e. neither be demanding or impatient about them nor instruct God how to go about doing His job, just inform Him and let Him do the rest. God has a method and timing for everything, and it is the best (1 Peter 5:6-7).

 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Our not being anxious, rather being thankful for everything, will ensure that God's peace will control and guard our heart and mind, so Satan will not be able to place his thoughts within us, nor draw us into doing anything wrong.

 8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. – To meditate upon something, it has to be within us, within our heart and mind; so, fill our mind with the things of God, and virtuous thoughts stated in this verse, and remain pre-occupied with them. Even when that offending person comes our way, if we are thinking and meditating upon good things, the wrong things will not find place in our heart.

 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. – Emulate the people of God, practically live the Christian life as taught in God’s Word and seen in the life of God’s people, and witness about the Christian Faith through our life – it will help us overcome Satan’s ploys (Revelation 12:11).

Living according to Philippians 4:4-9 will bring a radical transformation in our thoughts and desires, and help us overcome our negative thoughts. We should take this a step further by fulfilling Romans 12:17-21 as well, and ask God to provide us with opportunities to go and help the person we have problems with, and to give us the grace and strength to actually help him when the opportunity comes.

As a child of God, we have God’s Holy Spirit within us to help us be overcoming and victorious (1 Corinthians 6:19), and “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7), therefore fearlessly live a Christian life of power, love and sound mind.

Is it appropriate for a Christian Believer touch the feet of elders?

 Stooping or bowing to touch the feet of an elder is considered an act of giving honor to the elder. To bow before a person considered honorable, can also be considered as venerating him or considering him worthy of veneration. Generally speaking, in bowing to touch the feet of a person, both of these are implied. By doing so the person touching the feet, is conveying to the person whose feet are being touched, that I respect and honor your age, experience, status, qualities and attributes etc. and consider myself as the dust of your feet, and I need your blessings.

This practice is not seen amongst Christian Believers since the Word of God – the Bible forbids any man from being considered as venerable, and there are clear examples in the Bible where created beings have refused to accept veneration from other created beings, (Acts 10:25-26; 14:14-15; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9). Usually this expectation of touching of feet is seen in those who are not Christian Believers.

A Christian Believer, by repenting of his sins and having received the forgiveness of sins on the basis of the accomplished work on the Cross of Calvary by the Lord Jesus, and having submitted his life to the Lord, is by the grace of God a child of God (John 1:12-13), his body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who resides in him (1 Corinthians 6:19), he is being built up into a dwelling place for God along with other Christian Believers (Ephesians 2:21-22), he is being changed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18), and as a member of His Worldwide Church is a Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27), is a joint heir with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:16-17), and is a light to the world on behalf of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 5:14).

In contrast to this, man is born with sin nature (Psalms 51:5) and continues to sin (1 John 1:8, 10), before God his wisdom is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:25-27), nothing good resides in him (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23), all his imaginations are evil (Ecclesiastes 9:3, Job 15:14-16), and nothing good can come out of him (Job 14:4), and by his very nature is contrary to God (Romans 8:7); man is temporal (James 4:14), and cannot inherit eternity in his state of flesh (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Now, in this sentence, " There is nothing wrong or improper in a Christian Believer bowing to touch the feet of someone, it is only a sign of respect nothing more" in place of ‘Christian Believer’ put in the afore mentioned attributes of a Christian Believer – "child of God, temple of the Holy Spirit...", in place of “someone” put in the state and attributes of a carnal man – "sinner, full of evil, mortal...", and in place of “touch the feet” put in its implications, "I respect and honour your age, experience, status, qualities and attributes etc. and consider myself as the dust of your feet, and I need your blessings" and thus reconstruct the sentence.

On doing so the form of this sentence will be something like this : "For a [Christian Believer] ‘child of God, temple of the Holy Spirit, dwelling place of God, likeness of the Lord Jesus, Bride of Christ, joint-heir with Christ, light of the Lord for the guidance of the world’ to bow down to a [person] ‘sinner, a fool before God, devoid of anything good within, all of whose imaginations are evil, who cannot bring forth anything good, a mortal man, who by his very nature stays contrary to God’ and to imply [touch his feet] that ‘I respect and honour your age, experience, status, qualities and attributes etc. and consider myself as the dust of your feet, and I need your blessings’ there is nothing wrong or improper, it is only a sign of respect, ।nothing more." On the basis of constructing the sentence in this manner now decide, does it still sound proper and appropriate as before?

Now think it over whether for a person who is, a child of God, a temple of the Holy Spirit, is being conformed to the likeness of Lord Jesus Christ, and has been placed before the world as to reveal the light of the Lord Jesus, would it be appropriate for him to imply to a person having a sin nature, is mortal, is devoid of God’s wisdom, and by nature is contrary to God, that I need your blessings because I am like the dust of your feet!

The answer is self-evident, that for a Christian Believer, by virtue of the reality of his spiritual state and the status and position bestowed upon him by God, it is inappropriate for him to bow before a person and touch his feet, for what this act implies.

Eating foods offered to idols and other gods

If foods are grown, harvested, stored, and sold after invoking non-Christian deities and religious practices upon them, can a Christian then partake of them?

Even if people do not know or follow the true and living Lord our God, and do not acknowledge Him and His work in their lives, He still continues to love and provide for them (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45). The Psalmist says that it is the Lord God that causes the earth to produce vegetation for food for man and animals (Psalms 104:14). Along the same lines, Paul using the analogy of sowing and growth, states that no matter who does the sowing, it is God who gives the germination, growth, and fruitfulness to whatever is sown (1 Corinthians 3:6-8). So even if the farmer does some supposedly religious ceremony or idol worship, the fields will only produce, both quantitatively and qualitatively what God makes them to produce, and therefore we can rest assured that our food item has God's hand and blessings in it, no matter who has cultivated it and how.

Regarding forbidding eating things offered to idols, read 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, where Paul discusses this issue under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Although an idol is nothing (1 Corinthians 8:4), and therefore from that point of view eating or not eating something offered to an idol is inconsequential (1 Corinthians 8:8); but basically, in forbidding eating things offered to idols, the intention is to avoid sending out any impression of veneration or acknowledgment of pagan deities(1 Corinthians 8:7), since partaking of things offered on the altar, makes one a partaker of the altar as well (1 Corinthians 10:18). The more mature Christian Believers should make sure that the weaker in faith brethren in Christ are not misled on this count (1 Corinthians 8:7, 10-13); and, it also should be clear to the un-Believers that the Believers in Christ cannot partake in the Lord’s Table as well as their table – the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). Paul also states that if someone offers something offered to idols as a food item, and makes it known, then a Christian Believer should refuse it for the sake of that person's conscience (1 Corinthians 10:25-30); in other words, although eating of that food item would not be any different from eating of any other food item, yet in view of the special place and connotations that “offered-to-an-idol” food item has in the beliefs and conscience of the person serving it; and also to show that a Believer is separated from such things, a Christian Believer is not to partake of that food item.

So, while it is absolutely Biblical and desirable to not accept and eat things offered to idols, and this principal should always be adhered to; yet, in context of special situations like our title question, it should not be made something dogmatic for being righteous and acceptable to God – because that is only possible by the grace of God through Christ’s work on the Cross of Calvary, and not by any of our deeds, and God well knows the state of our hearts (1 Corinthians 8:3).

How does God provide material prosperity for His children?

The concept of working for a living has been there since the very beginning in God’s Word the Bible. God made Adam, planted the Garden of Eden for him, but gave him the responsibility of working in it and maintaining it (Genesis 2:8, 15). Even Israel, in their wilderness journey to the promised land of Canaan, although they did not sow or reap any harvest during the forty years journey, yet they had to labor every morning to gather their quota of manna; if they failed to do so, it was gone as the day progressed (Exodus 16:21). Once in Canaan, they had to fight to possess the land, and then to cultivate it to receive it's benefits. Even when God fought for Israel to defeat their enemies, they still had to go and position themselves in the battle ground (2 Chronicles 20:14-17), and only then go and gather the loot for themselves (2 Chronicles 20:25). None of Gods people got anything by sitting back at home, or taking it easy and just waiting for God to fill in their pockets, with whether spiritual or physical blessings; they always had to work for their living and maintaining their families - a fulfillment of the legacy "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread" (Genesis 3:19) of the first sin our fore-parents committed. Even the Lord Jesus worked as a carpenter (Mark 6:3) till the time He began His ministry. The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul has laid it down in Gods Word for us: "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12). Paul and his companions, although primarily engaged in Gods ministry of spreading the gospel, also worked for a living and for helping others (1 Thessalonians 2:7-10), and so should everybody else. Workers are exhorted in the Word of God to faithfully do their work, as to the Lord and not to men, and God will reward them for it (Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Peter 2:18-21). Hence, the first thing for a Believer to do to be prosperous is to be a sincere, honest, hardworking person, fulfilling his assigned responsibilities so as to be a witness for his faith, for his Lord, and to glorify the savior Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:12) through his work, trusting God to reward his sincerity and hard-work, in God's own time and manner.

Secondly, as is evident from the life of Paul, besides the secular work, we should always be determined to find time and opportunity to engage in God's Work as well – it is of paramount importance. God has already determined something or the other to be done by everyone one of His Born Again children (Ephesians 2:10), and has accordingly given us the required gifts. He sends opportunities our way, appropriate to our God ordained ministries, for us to fulfill. If we are not aware or sure of the work God wants us to do for Him, then we should spend time in praying and inquiring from God about it. An indicator of God's desire for us can be the various spiritual activity opportunities that either often come our way, or we find interesting to do, or others often entrust us with. We should make ourselves available to God, to our Church, and to our fellowship, and should ask God to lead us into the things that He wants us to do. It says in 3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”. In other words, our physical prosperity, in Gods scheme of things, is linked to our spiritual prosperity. As we prosper spiritually, we will also prosper physically. When we take care of God's work, God takes care of us and our family.

Thirdly, we should make it a point to tithe from whatever little we presently have or get. God never set a lower or minimum limit to earnings for tithing. The more we give to God, God returns even more back to us. From whatever we earn, little or much, we should faithfully and regularly tithe and give our tithe portion into the Church, without spending it in the name of God according to our own fancy. We ought to bring and put it into the house of God as it says in Malachi 3:10; only then should we use the rest for our needs; and we will see for ourselves how God blesses us for it. A very good example of how God blesses those who trust Him for His Word of blessing through tithing is the life of William Colgate, the founder of the world famous Colgate toothpaste: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Colgate). Therefore we should not let Satan create an apprehension or fear in our mind about not being able to afford tithing and cheat us out of our blessings; rather, we should trust God and do it regularly. No one can reap a harvest, without first sowing some seed; our tithe is the seed sown for our harvest - the quality and quantity of the seed sown determines the quality and quantity of the harvest we will receive.

Fourthly, we ought to pray to God and ask for His will about studying/training further and thereby improving our job opportunities. Now-a-days there are many online courses and part-time or on-the-job study opportunities, which we can make use of, so as to be earning, as well as improving our work and salary prospects.

By doing these in the guidance and will of God, we will find that somehow we will be able to find the time, strength and wisdom to not only do our present job well, but also do God's work, look after our family, and also study for improving our prospects and do well in the further studies/training. When done in the will and guidance of God, the battle to balance these responsibilities will not be ours but the Lords; we will only have to position ourselves in the battlefield, and then go in to gather the spoils.

A great portion from Gods Word for encouragement in trying times is Isaiah 40:27-31 “Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the Lord, And my just claim is passed over by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” and I encourage you to claim it for yourself.”

On the basis of Matthew 25:31-46, is Salvation by works i.e. by doing good deeds?

Without any doubt or ambiguity, salvation is by grace and grace alone. It can in no way be ‘earned’ by any good deeds, but is a gift given by God, freely made available to mankind through the accomplished work of Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, and no human works of any kind have any role whatsoever in the salvation of any person (Ephesians 2:1-9, Romans 3:27-28).

Once saved by God’s grace, we are saved for eternity (John 10:28-29), and the saved ones will be with the Lord God for ever (John 14:3). God has prepared plans, of works to be done by every one of His saved children (Ephesians 2:10), and God expects His children to accomplish them well; and to live in a manner that exhibits and witnesses for the salvation they have received from God, and glorifies Him (Romans 6:11-14; 12:1-2; 14:7-8; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:15).

These God appointed works entrusted to the Believers, are to be done on the basis of God's Word, and God’s instructions. Every Christian Believer's works will eventually be minutely scrutinized for the enduring quality of his works (1 Corinthians 3:11-15); and based on the enduring quality of their works the Believer will receive their rewards for eternity. Some will find that none of their works could pass the scrutiny, all their works were rejected and thrown away, leaving them empty-handed; but their salvation was not rejected; they are still 'saved', are still in heaven with the Lord, but have nothing for their eternity (v.15). At the time of judgment of the Believers (1 Peter 4:17), their judgement will not be for determining or conferring salvation – that has already been decided and settled once and for all at the very moment of their repenting from their sins and accepting Lord Jesus as Saviour, while they lived on earth. Their judgment according to their works i.e. according to the quality of their commitment and obedience to God and to His Word will be to determine the rewards the Believers will receive for their eternity. From the parable of the Owner of the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) we see that even those who, though worked for lesser time than the others, but did it as per the master’s instructions, still received the same rewards as everybody else. Our making the most of the opportunities sent our way by God and the manner in which we have utilized those opportunities, the enduring quality of our commitment to God and His Word is what counts for our eternal rewards.

Matthew 25:31-46 is referring to this judgment of the Believers – whether or not they have been obedient to God and His Word, and done the things expected of them as children of God. We see in this parable that in v.33 segregation is done – between the sheep and the goats – here notice that they neither qualified nor failed to become one or the other; but they already were “sheep” and “goats.”In vs.34 and 37 the Lord calls the sheep “blessed of my father” and “righteous” – all of these titles are in the past tense i.e. denote a status already accomplished and granted, before their being presented to the King (v.31-32). Nowhere in the parable is the Lord saying or indicating to the sheep that “in recognition of your good deeds done in my name, I am now conferring upon you the status of being my sheep, of obtaining salvation, of being considered righteous, and of being called the blessed of God.” It were the sheep, the righteous, the blessed of God, who by virtue of the heavenly nature imbued in them because of their salvation and being Born Again into the family of God, that did works that demonstrated their heavenly nature and set them apart from the “goats” who despite having similar opportunities had no inclination or desire to exhibit anything heavenly. The “sheep” acted in accordance with their inherent nature due to being saved by faith and regenerated, while the “goats” acted in accordance with their inherent nature due to their unsaved and unregenerate state. Their deeds did not make them “sheep” or “goats”, rather their already being “sheep” and “goats” caused them to live out what already was within them.

Their works did not grant them salvation, but their being saved and Born Again, being regenerated, caused them to behave in heavenly manner. The same applies to all other references and situations in the Bible pertaining to the relationship between works and salvation.