JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings

It is said that salvation is by grace through faith. Thus, many people conclude that their faith ALONE is the requirement of salvation; that through faith their fate, spiritually, is established. But do you believe this, that it is through faith ONLY will one be saved? Some people debate those who oppose the teaching of faith only. They hold in their hand a concrete evidence of their belief that it is through faith only will one be saved; and this faith is believing and accepting Jesus Christ our Lord as God and Saviour (Eph. 2:8) and not of works (Eph. 2:9). For them, the thought of works can never equate the strength of faith with regards to salvation. Again I will ask you, do you believe that it is only through faith will one be saved?

We will study W.O.R.K.S. in the following lessons.

                                                                             The Effective Faith
                             Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come (Matt 24:42).

Effectiveness is on making an impression of oneself or one’s actions. Effective faith, therefore, reflects one’s belief and faith. Our Lord Jesus illustrated two examples of an effective faith, a faith that works, in Matthew chapter 25.

     There was one thing that amazes me when the man told the unprofitable servant that he should have invested his talent to the moneychangers and he would have received his money from usury. Note that the King James Bible was published in 1611. We must define the words they translated in the time they used the words. “Usury” was defined as a premium paid or stipulated to be paid for the use of money (Definition from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828). Thus, the Lord was telling the slothful servant that he should have invested his talent to gain interest. He must not be lazy but instead must use his own wisdom to know how to invest his talent. Thus, to be able to have a faith that works, a Christian must have KNOWLEDGE about the things in the world. But note that the result must be a SANCTIFIED one.

The Christian Faith
Note that the two parables mentioned had two types of characters; virgins and servants. These two types of characters had different attitudes; one is wise the other is foolish; one is responsible the other is unprofitable. But they have something in common: they belong to the same group or family; they were chosen among others. The ten virgins were picked from their families or group; the three servants were picked by their master among other servants. The parallelism of this parable now is that these groups represent Christians; they are not unbelievers because they belong to the family of God; they are not unbelievers because they were chosen.

     One thing that touched me is what the slothful and wicked servant did with his one talent. He dug in the earth (WORLD) and hid the talent in the earth (WORLD). Some Christians, especially those who were called by God, neglect their calling and responsibilities and sink their lives in worldly conduct. The unprofitable servant knew his place in the household (just as the foolish virgins knew their place in the family but was cast out due to their foolishness). They had faith in their positions that they are secured in their place. What they didn’t know was that their master didn’t care about position but seeks results especially in their works. When he found that they worked well, he commended them. But when he found that he worked slothfully and wickedly, he condemned him. He was not satisfied with his works because his works were unprofitable. Christians are the same. Our God wants results. When we trusted the Lord, we must T.R.U.S.T. in the Lord (Thinking Righteousness Under Stress & Tribulation). When God gave us our calling, we must respond on it (note the life of Jonah). We must not hide our faith in the world but we must show our faith throughout the world. Just as Jesus Christ our Lord have commanded His disciples to go, go, go (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 15:16), so have He commanded us the same. Remember that Jesus is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Note that James also mentioned that “even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17)”.

     Thus, my brethren, it is true 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 (Eph 2:8-9)”. But note that it is not finished there, Eph 2:10 states that “… we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. We are new creatures (2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new).We are created to do good works. Thus, by doing so, we give glory to God. As you are the lamp and Jesus is your light, you must “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt 5:16)”.

The Ten Virgins. In Matthew 25:1-13, the Lord illustrated the kingdom of God likened unto ten virgins. All of them have lamps but only half of them brought vessels with oil for their lamps; the other half were foolish not to bring oil with their lamps. The foolish virgins were not willing enough to meet the bridegroom. If they were, they should have brought oil like the wise virgins. Thus, there must be WILLINGNESS to have a faith that works.
Now, the bridegroom came and the wise virgins were ready but the foolish virgins were scrambling for oil. When they have bought what they need and came back, the door was already shut and they weren’t allowed to go in. “Verily I say unto you, I know you not” saith the Lord in verse 12. Thus, we read again in verse 13, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Not only must there be willingness in the part of every Christian but they must also be ORGANIZED to have a faith that works.

The Talents. In Matthew 25:14-30, the Lord illustrated the kingdom of heaven likened to the parable of the talents. There was a certain man that was to travel and called three of his servants and entrusted each of them five, two and one talents respectively, each according to their abilities. While the man was away, the servant with five talents invested the talents and doubled it. The same with the servant with two talents who gained twice what he had. But the servant with one talent dug his talent in the earth; hiding it in the process. After a long time the man returned and made account to see what his three servants had done with their talents. The man was delighted when he heard the report of his two servants that doubled their talents. But he was furious for the man who did nothing but hid his talent. He commended the two by making them rule over many things because they had been faithful over a few things. But he condemned the wicked and slothful servant by taking the talent (giving it to the one who gained more) and throwing him into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Every Christian must take RESPONSIBILITY to what is given them.