Where Does the Christian Receive Psychē Counselling?

Where do we seek help for matters of the soul? Or perhaps a better question at this point is, “What are matters of the soul?”  I submit there are at least 7[1]:

1.      Heart motives and desires — What do you love most? (idolatry vs. worship of God; disordered affections, cravings, lusts of the flesh—see 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:1-3; Ezekiel 14:1-8).

2.      Thoughts and beliefs — Unbelief, lies we tell ourselves, faulty thinking patterns (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Ephesians 4:17-24).

3.      Emotions/affections — Anxiety/worry (unbelief—Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7), anger (bitterness, unforgiveness—Ephesians 4:31-32), fear, guilt, shame, despair, or joyless living.

4.      Will and behaviors — Sinful actions and habits that flow from the heart (e.g., lying, stealing, sexual immorality, laziness, addiction-like patterns—Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-10).

5.      Relational sins — Pride, selfishness, manipulation, lack of love, unforgiveness, or idolatry of people/approval (Philippians 2:3-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2).

6.      Responses to suffering — How we interpret and respond to trials, loss, abuse, or hardship (whether with faith/trust or with grumbling, self-pity, or resentment—see James 1; 1 Peter 4-5; Psalm 119).

7.      Sanctification issues — Lack of repentance, weak faith, prayerlessness, neglect of the Word, or failure to abide in Christ (John 15; Romans 6; Colossians 3:1-17).

The ACBC[2] standard of doctrine states: “God created the human person with a physical body and an immaterial soul, each possessing equal honor and essential to humanity.  The Bible depicts the soul as that which motivates the physical body.”[3]  I contend that secular society and secular approaches cannot deal with matters of the soul.  Unfortunately, our culture has created a discipline called psychology. "Psychology" derives it’s meaning from the Greek roots psyche (soul, mind, or breath) and logia (study, discourse, or science), literally meaning the "study of the soul." Sadly, this is a misnomer for this is not a field that secular psychology can legitimately enter.

ACBC’s official philosophy is “We recognize that secular attempts to answer the ultimate questions of psychology and counseling (i.e., Who is man? Why do people do what they do? How do people change? Why should a person change?) fall short in their answers since they do not acknowledge the reality of a personal God in whose presence mankind is always functioning and developing.”[4] Biblical counsellors would dismiss secular approaches to mankind’s soul because its theories are fundamentally flawed in its anthropology. It is flawed in matters of root causes. It is impotent in bringing lasting change to a person.  Some might even suggest, as I do, that secular psychology as co-opted the Biblical approach.

The Bible could not be clearer” “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1–2, ESV)

Recently in a Podcast[5] entitled ‘Evaluating Clinically Informed Counselling,’ the participants provided a helpful checklist of areas we should look for, as Christians, to receive trustworthy counsel for matters of the soul. Paraphrasing their advice, here are 4 questions to ask prior to seeking counsel for your soul:

1.      What is the source of the problem? Is it a physical matter? Can it be examined, tested, measured, etc., organically or is it a matter of the soul? There is no blood test for anxiety. There is no imaging data on grief. You can perform a biopsy on depression. Ed Welch’s framework is helpful: moral/spiritual problems need soul care; non-moral physical problems need medical attention. Even in physical suffering, the heart response (trust vs. despair, gratitude vs. grumbling) remains a soul matter (see James 1; 1 Peter 4–5). [6] 

2.      What is the methodology of the counsellor? If it is matters of the soul, do they lean on humanistic theories or do they hold firmly to the sufficiency of Scripture? 2 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV)

“³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,”

See also: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 19:7-9, and Psalm 119:05

3.      Who is promoting the system of counselling? Where do you go to get it? The Bible says, “if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15, ESV) Is this counselling service a ministry of, or under the Church? Biblical counselling is essentially Christian discipleship. The call to discipleship is a corporate call. To ensure accountability and authenticity in service, Biblical counselling ministries ought to at the very least an appendage of the Church.

4.      Lastly, what is the role of that counsellor? The Biblical counsellor’s mandate is clear: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28, ESV). Techniques like cognitive-behavioral methods, talk therapy focused on self-esteem, or trauma processing frameworks detached from biblical categories may offer short-term coping tools but often bypass or contradict the need for repentance, forgiveness, and Christ-centered hope. The word “warning” in Colossians 1:28 is the Greek word νουθετέω noutheteō meaning to admonish, exhort, admonish, give instruction.^[7] The Biblical counsellor is essentially a Biblical expositor, and the goal is Christlikeness.

Secular ‘psychology’ produces temporary symptoms of relief or behavioral modification through common grace[8] observations, but it cannot produce heart-level transformation. Only the Holy Spirit working through God's Word can do that.

The soul is not a separate “ghost in the machine” but the motivating, directing center of the whole person (body + soul = embodied soul). It encompasses the heart (kardia), mind (nous), affections/desires, will, thoughts, emotions, motivations, and worship. Proverbs 4:23 is often cited: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Problems “of the soul” are ultimately heart-level issues—rooted in relationship to God, sin, idolatry, unbelief, or responses to suffering—that require the gospel, the Holy Spirit, repentance, faith, and ongoing sanctification for real change.[9]

Puritan clergy in the 16th and 17th centuries were frequently referred to as "physicians of the soul" or "soul-doctors".[10] They believed that just as a physical doctor treats the body, a minister should diagnose and treat spiritual diseases, such as sin, anxiety, or spiritual apathy, through personalized guidance.

 

 

 

---

[1] xAI, *Grok 3* (AI language model), accessed April 17, 2026, https://x.com/i/grok/share/650cfd9c3f4340969b3bc993a08c129a

[2] https://biblicalcounseling.com/

[3] https://nebraskagospel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ACBC_Beliefs_And_Values.pdf

[4] https://biblicalcounseling.com/

[5] From Truth in Love: TIL 562: Is the Clinically Informed Biblical Counseling the Third Generation (feat. Ernie Baker), Apr 6, 2026

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/truth-in love/id1003845008?i=1000759500387&r=616

[6] https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2014/09/25/how-can-christians-tell-the-difference-between-a-spiritual-issue-and-a-physical-one/

^[7] Thomas, R. L. (1998). In New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Foundation Publications, Inc.

[8] “God’s common grace that sustains the life and breath of every unbeliever (cf. Dan. 5:23) and that permits the unregenerate to partake of the multifaceted pleasures and blessings of life in God’s creation (cf. Ecclesiastes) is, indeed, a manifestation of God’s good and gracious character.” - https://seminary.bju.edu/theology-in-3d/the-basis-of-gods-common-grace/

[9] https://nebraskagospel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ACBC_Beliefs_And_Values.pdf

[10] http://tiny.cc/pr02101 

What Fellowship Does A Christian Have With A Labour Union?

“Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor.” - John F. Kennedy, September 5, 1960.

I was a young subaltern arriving at Currie Barracks in 1974. The city was Winnipeg, Manitoba. The unit was the Second Battalion of the famous Princess Patricias Light Infantry (PPCLI). The stated task of an infantry soldier was “to close with and destroy the enemy.” The “enemy” in this case was the Canadian Postal Service and the role of the Battalion was to help get essential mail to the recipients. Not what I expected!

Today, November 20, 2024, fifty years later, The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced it intends to begin a national strike. Global News reported that “according to the union, its list of demands includes wage increases aligned with inflation, enhancements to group benefits — such as coverage for fertility treatments and gender-affirming care —improved protections against technological changes, more paid medical leave, paid meal and rest periods and short-term disability payments.”[1]

This blog is not about the Postal Worker strike. I lead with this story because it is typical of many labor strikes in Canada. In those last fifty years that I referred to, Canada postal workers have gone on strike 19 times, i.e., about every 3 years. Typical of Canadian strike action, it is executed at the least convenient time for citizens, in this case, approaching the Christmas season. Earlier this year, West Jet threatened strike action as the vacation time approached. This is certainly intentional hoping to win the angst of citizens to support the strike.

Many, like John Kennedy boast of the benefits of of labour unions. I would want to concede that without any argument. Others, like my grandfather who eventually strapped on a German bayonet, a trophy from his service in World War I, and crossed a picket line so that my father and the rest of the family could eat, would take a more discerning view. But this is a blog not a book. This blog is not a comprehensive study of labour unions. This blog serves only one purpose: How should a Christian view participation in a labor union and joining in strike action or other such walkouts and lockouts?

Let me define what I mean by a Christian. A Christian is a follower of Christ. They have repented of their rebellion against God and have sought, by His power, to live for Him. They see themselves as being bought with a price and not their own to do as they want. They wish to please God in all they do and thereby glorify Him. They are indwelt with the Spirit of God and live under the guidance of the Bible, recognizing it is the ultimate, authoritative, sufficient guide for their life and their beliefs. How should that person view their involvement in a labour union?

One presumption that needs to be assumed in this blog is that the existence of labour unions should be treated as amoral. The fact that one is a union member is not considered to be wrong in and of itself. We might even concede the idea that labour unions can be a help to Christians. A union might ensure religious liberty and the like. So, a more refined question is: what types of activities should a Christian support and take part in? To this the Bible is not silent. The Scriptures have a robust theology of work. As I remind the reader of some of the principles of work expressed in Holy Scripture, I suggest that it will form a series of checks and boundaries that are useful to the Christian.

 

1.      God is the author of work. Genesis 2:15 teaches us that work was God’s idea before sin entered the world. The Christian will embrace his or her employment as a good thing, not a thing to be avoided, nor despised, not an enemy. The Christian employee will stand out as one who engages in work with joy and as a mission from God. Work is as much a ministry and a pastor labouring in a local congregation. I will write more on this in Principle 6.

 

2.      Sin made work hard (Genesis 3:17-19). Because of man’s rebellion of God, work is painful and takes “sweat.” If a Christian employee has a distressing day at work, their response initially is not to blame the employer, the system, his or her colleagues, etc., but to remember that the ultimate cause of their sense of frustration (or whatever) is sin. If it is sin, then the Saviour is the answer. Consider this: the proverbial bad-day-at-work drives the Christian employee, not to job action, but to Christ. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”[2]

 

3.      A Christian does not view his or her boss as the boss (so to speak). Christians “obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”[3]  (See also Colossians 3:22-24) It is interesting that Paul uses the same language for living the Christian life (“fear and trembling”, Philippians 2:12) as how Christians are to work. It is not a paralyzingly fear, but a motivating fear. It is a fear that says, “I don’t want to do anything that brings dishonour on my Saviour.”  But more than that, the Christian employee adopts the attitude that he or she is working for Jesus Christ. They work to the ignoring of who is watching or who is affirming but doing God’s will for His commendation. The logic is profound: if your work pleases God, it will likely please your boss. If your boss is not pleased in your God-pleasing work, then God’s opinion is what really matters.

 

4.      John the Baptist, in Luke 3:14, counselled soldiers to be content with their wages. This will be an incredibly provocative principle. Remember, a Christian believes and looks to obey God’s Word. Note what Paul wrote, “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”[4] Would it not be correct that most union strike actions are motivated by a desire for more wages, more benefits? Are we not fueled with dissatisfaction when we learn that those people over there receive more compensation than we do? Should there not be some internal investigation within the heart of a Christian that examines reality and decides what is legitimate justice or what it is sheer greed?

 

5.      Another question that a Christian should consider about labour unions is the issue of association. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”[5]  When one takes part with a union and he or she feels the necessity to compromise Biblical precepts and principles, they are faced with difficult choices. The Apostolic question is critical, “Is it better to obey God or man?” (Acts 5:29).

 

6.      Finally, and most decisively, how does the Christian employee wrestle with the Apostle Peter’s admonition: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”[6]  Our good and faithful work will bring accolades and promotion, but our godly submission to unjust employers brings glory to God. It is this factor that will decide who we are working for. It is this factor that will figure out what our genuine ambition is. Jesus commanded His followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . ..”[7] Literally the command reads, “As you go make disciples.” It includes “As you go to work, make disciples.” Our vocation is intended by our Saviour to be our mission field. Suffering under difficult and unjust conditions is one way to give glory to God and as Peter will say in that same context of suffering, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”[8]

 

Jesus wrote a letter to the Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) The city was a centre of commerce, and the records preserve references to more trade guilds than those listed for any other Asian city. The necessity for membership in a trade guild invited the Christians of Thyatira to compromise and opened the door to many temptations. Admittedly trade guilds were not labour unions. They were work associations that met for mutual benefit and protection. Paul had them in mind when he penned these words, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”[9]  The fact that the Bible does not forbid Christians joining labour unions does not ratify their choice to join and/or take part in all or any of its activities.

Labour unions often perform their duties based upon adversarial approach to negotiations based on discontent and greed. The goal of work disruption is often to gain personal comfort and ease to the discomfort and ease of other citizens. Undoubtedly labour unions have also addressed issues of justice and true equity. The purpose of this blog was not to “throw the baby out with the wash” but to ask Christians clear Biblical questions. Undoubtedly if a Christian finds themselves compromised with the activities of a union, difficult choices will have to be made. They may also face persecution. But the reason I made certain that I defined what a Christian was is to ensure we understood what it means to be a Christian. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”[10]  Jesus said this as He was making His way to Jerusalem — to the cross. If you want to follow Jesus, get in line. Join the band of cross-carriers. Join the fellowship of those hated by culture and heading to the cross. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”[11]

“The place of suffering in service and of passion in mission is hardly ever taught today. But the greatest single secret of evangelistic or missionary effectiveness is the willingness to suffer and die. It may be a death to popularity (by faithfully preaching the unpopular biblical gospel), or to pride (by the use of modest methods in reliance on the Holy Spirit), or to racial and national prejudice (by identification with another culture), or to material comfort (by adopting a simple lifestyle). But the servant must suffer if he is to bring light to the nations, and the seed must die if it is to multiply.”  - John Stott[12]

 

“In the end, whether a Christian should join a labor union is a matter of conscience and sensitivity to the leading of the Lord. If you are convinced God wants you to join the union, then join it. It is a personal decision, not something another believer can place on you. Realize that, if you join a union, you are obligating yourself to function under their rules.”[13] My question to your heart is this: Do their rules contradict or oppose the gracious, holy “rules” of God? That is the sixty-four-million-dollar question.

---

[1] https://globalnews.ca/news/10871404/canada-post-strike-explained-what-to-know-mail/

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 11:28). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Eph 6:5–6). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Ti 6:8–9). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Co 6:14–15). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Pe 2:18–20). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 28:18–19). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Pe 3:15). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Co 10:23). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 16:24–26). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Ti 3:12). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[12] http://www.justworshipgod.com/2015/08/12-classic-quotes-from-john-stott-cross.html?m=1

[13] https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-labor-union.html

Is Mental Health a Biblical Concept?

Is Mental Health a Biblical Concept? [1]

By: Garrett Higbee

Selected Quotations:

“I think it is important to note that our epistemology, anthropology, and etiology differ from our secular counterparts, who are measuring secular well-being. We see personal sin at the root of mental dysfunction and sin’s effects on this world causing tremendous suffering. We are not ignorant of human weakness and, in effect, mental illness as a result of the fall (Gen. 3), but we measure and treat it differently. Our truth as Christians is not simply based on objective and empirical evidence but also on the unseen (Eph. 6:10-12) and the authority of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17).”

“Secular scientists, while often well-meaning in their pursuit of mental health, are searching in vain without understanding the power of the Cross to redeem relationship and peace with our Creator. Thus, if we pursue mental health through means of addressing symptoms and focusing on self-esteem, self-help, and self-sufficiency, we too will reap misery in the end (Matt. 10:39).”

“I believe we must continue to develop ways to reframe issues and guide our people to a biblical worldview of mental illness (Col. 2:8). While causality may vary, based on Scripture, we believe that every “mental illness” has a spiritual origin (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 1:20-24). Having a holistic and biblical perspective of man, we cannot let mental health assessment, standards, and care be abdicated to the secular therapeutic community as it has for over a century.”

“God left us the key to true mental health in His Word, the gospel. The standard for wellness is a heart redeemed by and satisfied in Christ (Ezek. 11:19). A life where we are growing a Christ-like character, mindset, and demeanor is a believer’s “new normal” (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20, Phil. 2:1-5) and the baseline for mental health in a biblical worldview. There is a paradigm shift from being conformed to a set of criteria that the world calls functional to being transformed through progressive sanctification (Rom. 12:1-2). But how? First, by abiding in Christ in deep dependency (John 15), second, by being mindful of Christ in all that we do (2 Cor. 3:18), and third, by being renewed in our thinking primarily through His Word (Eph. 4:22-24). Scripture does not mention mental health but does use words like shalom, joy, soul rest, contentment, and blessed to describe a person at peace in Christ (Ps. 4:8; 119:165; Prov. 3:17; Isa. 26:3; 32:17; John 20:21; Acts 10:36).

[Emphasis mine}

_____________________________________

1. https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2022/04/25/is-mental-health-a-biblical-concept/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-mental-health-a-biblical-concept

Finding Your Soul-Mate. Or Not!

Do you believe the mantra that there is a perfect person out there somewhere for you to marry? Stephen Altrogge has same compelling thoughts here:

“My point is that the whole concept of finding the one, perfect soul mate, is completely absent from scripture. I suspect that the idea of a soul mate was invented by romance writers so that they would have something to write about. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that the idea of a soul mate is harmful. If you go into marriage expecting your spouse to satisfy your every need and complement you perfectly, you will be sorely disappointed. If you expect your spouse to satisfy the deepest longings of your soul, you are in for a massive let down. Marriage is a covenant between two, imperfect, very flawed, sinful people. You’re not perfect and your spouse isn’t perfect, so don’t expect your marriage to be perfect. If you’re single, don’t obsess over finding the perfect person. Don’t spend years and years waiting to find the perfect person who will be your everything. There is only one perfect person, and his name is Jesus. Unfortunately, you don’t get to marry Jesus (I realize that’s a weird analogy if you’re a guy). You can, however, marry someone who loves Jesus very much. That’s the kind of person you should be trying to find. Compatibility comes through Christ, not through some mathematical formula invented by the owner of a dating website. True love between two people only happens when those two people first love Jesus.”[1]

---

[1] Altrogge, Stephen (2014-02-17). The Inmates Are Running the Asylum: Thoughts On Following Jesus, Amish Romance, the Daniel Plan, the Tebow Effect, and the Odds of Finding Your Soul Mate (Kindle Locations 795-806). Blazing Center Books. Kindle Edition.

Stay In-Bounds!

2 John 9 (NIV),

⁹ Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

John provides 3 scenarios whereby the local Christian fellowship ought to be concerned.   The first one is found in verses 7-8.  Verse 9 provides another situation that the Church ought to beware of.  I think the first case includes those who have left the Church and are preaching a Gnostic heresy.  The Church is not to capitulate to them, nor silence their true proclamation of the Gospel.  This verse describes another type of person -- a person who goes beyond the limits of the Gospel. 

"Goes on ahead probably refers to “new” teaching that amounted to rejection of the apostolic faith." [1].  This seems to be more a threat in the Church than outside.  We are not to "add to" the message of Christ. The question is, "What message is that?"  "Now the standard by which the false teachers are to be tested is called the “teaching,” which is another technical term to denote the message or preaching of the apostles." [2]  Or as MacArthur states, "A failure to be faithful to the fundamental, sound doctrines of the faith (a proper view of the person and work of Christ, love, obedience) marks a person as having never been born again (1 John 2:23; 3:6–10; 4:20, 21; 5:1–3)." [3] 

The person that adheres to this body of instruction has "both the Father and the Son," ergo, they are true believers. 

When Paul wrote his first letter to Corinth, he suggested a similar issue.  He wrote, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.” (1 Corinthians 4:6, NIV). We are to stay "in-bounds", namely within the prescribed apostolic tradition.  As soon as we add to this by prescription we endanger ourselves and others. Someone who lives outside of the message of Christ is not his.

Father, I sure get the concern of Paul.  I know what it feels like to think that you know more than the New Testament -- to think that I have insight others don't.  What abominable pride.  How weird it is that we struggle to remain in the clear boundaries of Scripture.  There really is a lot that You don't teach us about.  There really is a lot left unsaid.  But Father there is so much within The Teaching of Your Word that is ignored by me.   There is so much I pay little attention to.  Yes, it is sinful, hell-deserving pride that ignores what You do write in order to embrace what You don't address.  Keep me "in bounds" Father.  There is more in the fence than I can handle without moving outside the fence.  For the sake of Christ and the eternal health of Your Church.  Amen.

____________________________________

1.  Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2441). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2643). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1977). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

To Obey Is To Believe. To Believe Is To Obey

"This is the true meaning of becoming a Christian, even to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law." [1]

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15–16, NIV)

This affirmation of the Gospel does not reject good works, but it places them in the proper order and sequence.  Luther tells a parable:

"This bridegroom must be alone with the bride in his secret chamber, all the servants and family being put apart. But afterwards,. when he openeth the door and cometh forth, then let the servants and handmaidens return, to fulfil their ministry. There let charity do her office, and let good works be done." [1]

Now Paul writes,"So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus" that we might be saved.  The ESV translates this “. . . so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ . . . ”  The Greek text is καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν; or also we on Christ Jesus believed.   This is the essence of Christianity.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”” (John 3:14–15, NIV)

The question raised by this text is, "What does it mean to believe?" John writes in the 3rd chapter of his Gospel:   ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

True to Hebrew literature, John’s Gospel is structured a lot in parallelisms. This helps us understand his meaning; and more importantly, the meaning of the Holy Spirit.  Note the parallel ideas:

(+) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;

(-) Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life . . ..

John equates belief with obedience.  Some translations use the word reject instead of obey, but that is an inaccurate interpretation of the Greek.  The word is ἀπειθέω and is clearly used in terms of refusing to comply or obey. Notice how Jesus makes this plain in this encounter:

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:46–50, NIV).

To become a Christian and live as a Christian is defined by Jesus who said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, NIV).

 Father I love You.  Today I desire You more than I normally do.  I thank You for that passion.  I wish I always had such a preeminent affection for You.  I know part of the reason is that "the things of this earth are growing strangely dim." There is a sadness and a struggle in this life that propels me more and more to see my Savior, face-to-face.  You have saved me by Your grace.  You have given to me as a gift a precious faith purchased by Your Son on Calvary.  You have set before me a purpose and ministry in this life.  I thank you for all that because it provides on the horizon an inheritance that will never fade or grow old.  To be with Christ is far better.  But to serve and obey You is also awesome.  Help me today to magnify Jesus in my life.   May my walk of obedience confirm Your calling and choice of me.  For the glory of Christ and the joy of all who love You.  Amen.

Faith is trusting God's goodness sufficiently that it is evidenced by obedience.

________________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.