Conference yukon::christian_v7

812.0. "On doing nothing" by PAULKM::WEISS (For I am determined to know nothing, except...) Wed Oct 11 1995 10:33

In Bible study this morning, we read the parable of the unfruitful fig tree
(Luke 13).  It was brought up how many of Jesus parables are about the
judgement that comes against the people who did *nothing*.  Jesus speaks
parables about many things, and some are against people who have done
specific evil actions, such as the parable of the tenants who beat the
servants sent to them and kill the son sent to them.

But many parables speak heavy judgement against those who have done
*nothing*.  Nothing evil, but nothing good either.

In the parable of the wedding banquet in Mt 22, most of the people did
nothing.  They simply wouldn't come to the banquet.  "But the king was
enraged, and sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and set their
city on fire."  When the king then invited the beggars to come to the feast,
one of the people did nothing - he didn't put on the clothes for the feast. 
And the king said "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer
darkness".

In the parable of the ten virgins in Mt 25, the foolish virgins didn't do
anything bad - they did nothing, they failed to provide extra oil so they
were ready.  And the Lord said to them "Truly, I do not know you."

In the parable of the talents in Mt 25, one servant did nothing evil with the
master's money - he didn't spend it on riotous living, he just did nothing
with it.  And the master said "cast out the worthless slave into the outer
darkness."

In the parable of the sheep and the goats in Mt 25, the goats did nothing
bad, they just did nothing - they did not help those who needed help.  "And
these will go away into eternal punishment."

In the parable of the unfruitful fig tree in Lk 13, if the fig tree does not
produce fruit - if it does nothing - it will be cut down.

In Jn 15, where Jesus says He is the vine, those branches which do not abide
in Him and bear fruit - the branches which do nothing - are gathered, cast
into the fire, and burned.

There's more.  We can sometimes think of pleasing God just by not falling
into evil.  If we don't lie, or cheat, or steal then we think we've pleased
God.  But Jesus says repeatedly that doing *nothing* is cause for judgement.

This is not works righteousness - it is not the works which justify us before
the Father, it is the Grace bestowed by the blood of Jesus alone.  But as the
book of James says repeatedly, unless our Faith changes who we ARE, what good
is it?  Is it really faith if nothing changes in our lives?  Jesus makes
clear that unless who we *ARE* is transformed, then we've missed the mark.

Paul

    This has spoken volumes to me Paul (and it just may be what I teach
    Sunday - thanks!). Let's also not forget Jesus' words to the church at
    Laodicea.
    
    	BD�

      Yeah, I liked that a lot too Paul.
    
    						Thanks!,
    
    						Tony

    It reminds me of this:
    
    Revelation 3
    14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These
    things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning 
    of the creation of God; 
    
    15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
    wert cold or hot. 
    
    16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
    spue thee out of my mouth. 
    

    I really enjoyed .0
    
    Don't get caught in the fact you must 'do' something other than believe
    ( Acts 30:30-31 ect.) to be saved. Salvation is a one time
    thing. Once you have it, you will not lose it (John 10:28-29). the
    issue comes down to reward. All believers are given eternal life, but
    not all get the crown of life which is a specific reward for behavior.
    I pretty much expect to be a janitor or the guy that cleans out the
    stalls for the horses of the apocalypse. Course, I hear the benefits
    are fantastic up there. 
    
    regards,
    jay

    
    Hey Jay, 
    
    If you get to do the stall cleaning, say Hi to Stormy for me.  I 
    am sure he'll be there.  ;-)
    
    Mary Jo 
    

    You got it. But please give me a list of acceptable horsey treats so
    I don't feed Stormy the wrong thing. Course, maybe up there I can give
    him chocolate and tacos and stuff and it won't matter. :-)
    
    j

    re: 812.4
    
    perhaps the concept is really hunger
    

�    I pretty much expect to be a janitor or the guy that cleans out the
�    stalls for the horses of the apocalypse. 

  Guess you might get a kick out if it, at that, Jay...! ;-)

								&

    ouch! :-)

    .0
    
    Most worthwhile.  Thank you, Paul.
    
    Richard
    

RE: <<< Note 812.0 by PAULKM::WEISS "For I am determined to know nothing, except..." >>>

	Amen!  Blessed be the name of the Lord!!

	Thanks, Paul.