Work, Toil, and Labor
“Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.”
“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.”
James 2:15-18 HCSB
How do we reconcile what Paul is saying with what James is saying? The work Paul says to work or toil or practice. James’ work is to work or labor. So those who don’t toil or practice but live out their faith will receive the blessing of being called righteous while those who work and labor for God will declare that their faith is active.
Let us look at two examples of how Jesus used Paul’s work and James’ work.
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice (Paul’s work) lawlessness.’”
Matthew 7:23 NASB1995
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works (James’ work) and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
“Do not work (toil) for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work (toil) the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work (labor) of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work (toil) do You perform?”
John 6:27-30 NASB1995
We are to not toil for the perishable but labor in our beliefs in Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work (labor) of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB1995
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done (labor).”
Revelation 22:12 NASB1995
Our toil is generally geared toward what is temporary and our labor is generally geared toward what is Holy. Let us keep laboring in Hos kingdom and let us toil less in the affairs of the world. But when we have to toil in the world’s system let us labor like God is watching!
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