1. Christians believe salvation is by faith alone and apart from works. Good works without faith in God will not save (Eph. 2:8-9).
2. Christians also believe faith that fails to produce good works is dead. Faith in God without good works will not save (James 2:14-26).
3. Paul, the great champion of justification by faith alone apart from works taught:
a. Saving faith prepares us for good works (Eph. 2:10).
b. Saving faith produces good works (Titus 3:8).
4. God has three expectations regarding the practical expression of our faith (Micah 6:8).
a. How we live – “to do justly” (do right).
b. How we love – “to love mercy” (lovingkindness).
c. How we follow – “to walk humbly with your God.”
B. HOW WE LIVE
1. Jesus expects us to be people of character (Matt. 5:3-12).
2. Jesus set high standards governing how His disciples should live (Matt. 5:17-48). He called for an extreme commitment to:
a. The Word of God (5:17-20).
b. A higher standard of righteousness (5:20).
c. The spirit of the law (5:21-47).
d. Reflect the Father’s character (5:48).
3. Old Testament prophets routinely condemned their leaders for injustice. “But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a might stream” (Amos 5:24).
4. Jesus expects us to be both the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
5. Paul taught Christians to pray for our leaders. “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:2), and because God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4).
6. Christians have historically opposed injustice and worked to reform unjust social structures in society.
William Wilberforce & the Abolition of Slavery
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement
7. Today Christians consistently oppose injustice and work to reform unjust social structures in society.
Protection of unborn human life
Protection of children – opposition to pornography
Protection of poor – opposition to state sponsored gambling
C. HOW WE LOVE
1. God protects those who have no one else to help them (Prov. 22:22-23).
2. God has a special concern for the disadvantaged in society (Ps. 146:9).
3. Abusing the disadvantaged in society is offensive to God (Prov. 14:31).
4. Jesus taught loving your neighbor involved crossing social and ethnic barriers (Luke 10:25-37).
5. Pure Christianity involves the care of widows and orphans (James 1:27).
6. Christians have been responsible for the establishment and reform of the great social institutions throughout history:
a. Schools
b. Hospitals
c. Housing for poor
d. Prison reform
e. Temperance
f. Orphanages
7. Christians continue to lead in the great humanitarian projects of our day:
a. Famine relief
b. AIDS in Africa
c. Literacy projects
d. Prison reform
e. Unwed mothers
f. Drug rehabs
D. HOW WE LEAD
1. We will walk humbly with our God when we understand who we are (1 Cor. 1:26-29).
2. We will walk humbly with our God when we understand who God is (Isa. 44:6-8).
3. We will walk humbly with our God when we understand why we exist (Isa. 43:21).
4. We will walk humbly with our God when we understand how God works (James 4:6, 10).
a. God gives grace to the humble.
b. God lifts up those who humble themselves.
5. Protestant work ethic. We work hard because we do everything for God and His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).
6. Redemption and lift. When we are converted we improve our state in life.
7. When many people in a community are touched by this process, the quality of life is improved (Acts 8:8).
8. When many people in a nation are touched by this process, that nation experiences Christian transformation (Ps. 33:12).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc
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