9 / 12
The Amish Voice 9
road through this life. The big difference
now is that in spite of struggles, there is a
foundation to work from, whereas before,
there was absolutely nothing to stand on.
The tremendous ability of God to re-
store a bad situation to the most beautiful
reality is nothing short of amazing. God is
still working in my situation, and I trust He
will be as long as I live here on earth.
God is very interested in the lives of
His children and potential children. Only as
we yield our lives to Him can He work on
the details of the beautiful plan he has for
every one of us. We cannot yield to God
without dying to our own selfish, carnal
nature. Only as we die to our own selves
can we rise to new and fulfilling lives in
Christ.
Life, then, is not about us. Probably
one of my biggest struggles has been to
trust in the blood of Jesus for my salvation
and realize that good works will not save
me. It is faith alone in the grace of God that
will save. Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it clear
what faith does, and where works fit in.
For by Grace are ye saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God; Not of works less any man should
boast. For we are His workmanship, creat-
ed in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them.
These verses have helped me
to understand that we are saved by faith.
By faith God gives us a new heart with
new desires and a totally new way of think-
ing. Because of this heart change, we begin
to reflect the image of Christ. This new
person that God has created out of us is
uniquely created to have good works come
forth. These works are very pleasing to
God because He creates them in us. Can
we then just stand back and not even try to
do anything?
For it is God which worketh
in you, both to will and to do of His good
pleasure
(Philippians 2:13).
As God works in us, He gives us a de-
sire to do what He wants us to do, and He
also gives us the strength to do it. Because
of this, we do good works, not to be ac-
cepted as the children of God, but because
we are accepted as His children. According
to Romans 8:7-9, it is impossible to please
God if we have not accepted Him as our
Lord and Savior by faith.
John 15 talks about fruit coming forth
out of a believer’s life, which might actual-
ly be the more accurate term. According to
James 2:17, if there is no fruit coming from
a person’s life, that person’s faith is dead.
So dear reader, have you found a rela-
tionship with God that completely satisfies
your soul? If you have not, where will you
find this satisfying relationship? In the
Amish church? In some Mennonite church
or some other denomination? What does
Jesus say in the matter?
I am the way, the
truth and the life
(John 14:6).
Peace with God will never be found in
any certain denomination, but in God Him-
self. So whatever denomination we are in,
God must be the Head of our church. Only
by following the way and the truth will we
find true and everlasting life. If we cannot
find true peace where we are right now, we
probably won’t find it elsewhere either.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and
God, even our Father, which hath loved us,
and hath given us everlasting consolation,
and good hope through grace, comfort
your hearts and establish you in every
good word and work
(2 Thessalonians 2:16
-17).
Jonas and Keturah Yoder
RR 1 Box 116 C
Princeton MO 64673
—continued from previous page—