The Good Works State

 It is possible that non-Christians can accomplish great and good things. They can organize disaster relief, soup kitchens, women's shelters and do many other good deeds.  So why would Jesus so emphatically state in John 15:5,

 " ... without Me, ye can do nothing" (KJV)?

How can this statement be justified?

There are at least three or four possible ways to answer this!  They intertwine and work together to create a more comprehensive canvas to view.  However, this answer will be based on God's Word.

One also needs to keep in mind that God's ways and thoughts are highter than ours and we may not always understand Him.  But this is okay for me because I trust Him.  He has proven Himself trustworthy, therefore I believe and have faith in Jesus (see Isaiah 55:8-9).

My life may not always be fully bound to Him.  We get distracted and sometimes fall off the altar and  drift away... That's why, I believe, Jesus told His disciples to ...

 " ... abide in Me" (John 15).  

Jesus said He is "the vine" and that we are "the branches."  We are therefore to get our source of nourishment from Him.

When we keep these thoughts in mind, we may then be able to get some grasp and grip on the answer about how Jesus' statement can be justified.

If we look at Isaiah 64:6 KJV, we may be stunned by what it says.

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf ..."

Did you read that right?! 

 "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"!

How could God say such a thing, a person my ask.

This leads to the next answer part to the original question.  Great good does happen at the hands of non-believers.  But all those good works do not earn them salvation.  Not one single merit is gained towards mitigating the consequences of their sin.  This may sound harsh but it's God's flat out truth.  He had a reason for doing it this way.

Many religions highlight doing good works as a means towards, hopefully, doing enough to tip the scales in their favor to outweigh the bad they do or have done.  I have actually seen this sort of acted out in a Chinese drama.  An innocent looking girl acts all demure and pure but inside she plans wickedness and evil against others who mistreat her.  She will do the evil deed to get her revenge and then pretend penance in a temple on top of doing some act of good will for the poor of the town.  I'm not so sure that the girl cared whether she outweighed her bad deeds, but just to make the deceitful pretense of being a 'good' person and get the praise of others for being so "righteous and holy".  And I think you can still get the meaning here.

Okay, maybe this is not exactly the right illustration but it does show somthing there. On the contrary, in God's book, we see that this is putting the cart before the horse.  He says,

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works; which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10 ESV).

The apostle Paul was the writer of these words as inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.  He was writing to the Ephesian church, and therefore to believers in Jesus Christ, a.k.a. "Christians."

The 'good works' had been prepared beforehand in order for the believers to begin implementing now that they were believers.  They were given the follow-up injunction that they

 "should walk in them."

because now they were followers of Jesus Christ and this is what such followers should do. 

If you wish, have a look at verses 8-9 of this same chapter.  The phrases that stand out are:  "saved through faith;" "not your own doing;" and  "gift of God," and "not a result of works."

These are pretty clear cut. Then Paul wrote about the good works to be done post-belief in Jesus (see vs 10).

We can begin to see here that,

"apart from [Jesus] [we] can do nothing" (John 15:5).

The apostle Paul had accomplished many great achievements before he had become a believer in Jesus Christ.  What he said about all that was ...

He counted all as loss and as dung (see Philippians 3:8 & 9 KJV).  Further to this he declared that he did not have his own righteousness ... but

" ... the faith of Christ" 

and

 " ... the righteousness which is of God by faith" (see Philippians 3:8-9 KJV).

Abiding in Christ is how we ought to live and realize we can only do these good works as we so abide.

"For in Him we live and move and have our being ..." (Acts 17:28 ESV).

If we want to get good works done with excellence, we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior.  We acknowledge He has been the one who earned our righteousness, therefore, a person does not have to drain themselves dry to the point of exhaustion, doing good works to earn merit and their own salvation.  That is already done for us human beings by God's great love and sacrifice for us through Jesus' death and resurrection.

Then, when we abide in Jesus, we can do all the good works ordained for us to do, to our heart's content.  Then with good will we work with the motto Jesus gave us,

" ... apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 ESV).

My prayer would be that whether Christians or non-Christians are doing good works, that no one stop doing them.  I would pray though, that the non-Christians realize the truth of all that is said above, which is based on Scripture; that is, God's Word.  In turn, that they would come to Christ through faith in Him and consequently, abide in Jesus.  He has already earned all the merit they need.

I'd like them to know and understand this difference and live by faith and keep abiding in Christ as they go about doing good - this time in Jesus' name.  

Based on the Scriptures mentioned above, I believe the opening statement is justified.

                                              ~  ERC  October 2026  ~

Based on John 15:5.

Sing, In Christ Alone, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty and Abide WIth Me, along with Joslin Grove Choral Group.

 

Book Review - She Will End This - By Colleen Coble and Rick Acker - Publication Date: 10 November 2026

 Reading She Will End This sets the reader on quite the wild rollercoster ride of suspense and thrill, as 'cat' chases 'mouse,' I'd say.  Certainly, my heart was in my throat throughout most of the narrative as Britt and Stein, along with others went after the bad guys, one of whom was nicknamed Abbadon, simultaneously, trying to protect the main victim.  The character of Willow was a sweet compliment almost as much as she was catalyst to the story.  Not knowing whom to trust added edge to the thrills and dares.  DHS, FBI, the CIA and Mossad, all pour in their scary two cents' worth into the murders and the kidnapping.

I liked that the authors included ample references to God, prayer and trust in Him.  Romance sparkles, creating 'sugar dust' for the blossoming relationships on the receiving ends.  I thought that this brought a balm of relief to the cortisol spikes of uncertainty and tension produced from all the drama.

Overall, in my opinion, this narrative has gumption worth a potential reader's attention, especially if they enjoy thrills and mysteries coupled with Christian sentiments.

                                          ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                       August 2026

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Invasion Deliverance - By DC Alden - Publication Date: 10 November 2026

 

The term that comes to mind while reading through this military thriller is, 'apocalyptic.'  There is much chaos, violence and terror.  The storyline also reminds me of WWII-like atrocities showing the baseness of mankind.  There are glimmers of hope when small smidgens of kindness peek out but the scale tips more towards evil than good.

I found this story rather confusing for much of the narrative, trying to figure out the various factions and who was connected to which one.  This book was definitely not my cup of tea.

However, as this has a military framework in war conditions, I suppose that those who have engaged in war before, and/or are still part of that real life war scenario, will be able to relate to and understand the strategy and dramas more readily.  Certainly, any fallout victims, will relate, I believe.

                                             ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                           November 2026 

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to be by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Lord's Day Devotion - Remembrance Day 2026 - War Hero

 

The 11th of November marks the WWI armistice, ending this war.  They did it at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month back in 1918.  

Subsequently, many Canadians will pause for two minutes at that hour on that day.  They wish to remember those who gave their lives in military service, as well as veterans who made it home, in whatever condition war had blasted through them.

They call it, "Remembrance Day."  The Americans do similarly, calling it either Veteran's Day or Armistice Day.  Then there's Memorial Day (observed in May), specifically  to honor only the US military personnel who died while serving in military service.  The other days are for all who served in their military.

Nowadays, the remembrance is not just for those who served during WWI but an accumulation of wars throughout ensuing years.  It is good to remember and be thankful for those who defended their country but also helped other countries to be liberated from hostile takeovers.

No one ever truly wins.  There is so much death, loss, injury, maiming of human bodies.  The fallout is intense and extensive.  Then there's the innocent civilians, who never asked for this but  who get caught in the crossfire, who get displaced and become refugees.  There are those who are raped and/or become human trafficked by wickedly evil men who take advantage of such situations.

We need to remember these people too!

War is an evil buisiness.  Satan comes only to

"kill, steal and destroy".  

By contrast, 

Jesus came to give life so we could have it more abundantly (see John 10:10-11 ESV). 

 He is our true 'War Hero.'  He won the war against Satan - that battle for our souls.  Let's praise the One who gave His life for all mankind, so that we could be liberated from the consequencies of our sins:  suffering, growing old; death and life without Him spent in an eternal Hell.  

We await peace for evermore.  We long for it.

This Lord's Day, celebrate and honor Jesus, through remembering His death for us.  Remember too, His resurrection that makes our salvation all the more possible.  Reach for the broken bread - partake.  Reach again, this time for the cup of wine - drink.  Do this often in remembrance of Him, until He comes upon the cloud.

Thank You, Jesus!  There have been many who have given their lives that others may live in freedom.  You gave Yours too, in even greater impact because it was for all mankind.  This sacrifice benefits all who believe and it lasts forever and ever.  We give You our most heartfelt thank for this liberation.  We lift up our heads and give You our praise in Your name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                              ~  ERC  November 2026  ~

Based on John 10:10 & 11 ESV.

Sing, The Church's One Foundation, along with Best Hymns and Lord Jesus, We Remember (Around Thy Grave, Lord Jesus) with STEM publishing.

Sunset Glow (Philippians 2:1-11 ESV)

 

Watching a gorgeous sunset as the color in the sky blooms, glows and then fades away leaving a stillness as day caves into night, is a magnificent portrait of humility to me.  Not only do I want to watch humility grow and mature in my life, and the life of other followers of Jesus Christ, I want it to create that stillness of peace all throughout my life until I too, slip over the horizon, or go to be with Jesus at the time of Rapture.

Being able to admit my sins and wrongs to my heavenly Father with the declaration,

 "God be merciful to me a sinner" (see Luke 18:13),

 and to even demonstrate the humility I have in Christ through Holy Spirit intervention, by even washing the saints feet, as Jesus once did for His disciples-cum-apostles, I and other brothers and sisters-in-Christ, who are called to serve, will begin to show our more brilliant humble colors:  growing, blooming and glowing.

Let's all make a positive, godly difference in the 'world' we inhabit, by taking on the humble attitude that characterized our Savior Jesus as He trod along the byways and highways while here on earth.  Let's persevere until He calls us all home to be with Him in glory.

Amen?

                                              ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on Philippians 2:1-11 ESV.

Sing, Speak, O Lord, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Photo Credits to Cathy Chua.  Used by permission.  Sabah Sunset.

Lord's Day Devotion - Prayer - Spirit of Humility

 

Abba Father, I confess the sin of pride, haughtiness and that of acting independantly from You.  This spirit of pride and haughtiness that only bodes me ill, is ill-intentioned for sure!

The spirit that shows I do not fully trust You.  The spirit that says, "I can carry this life just fine on my own," is the spirit that hinders me from putting You first in my life and prevents my heart from growing in humility.

I'm sorry Father.  I choose now to relinquish this spirit and attitude, and turn rather, to depend on You, the Mender,  Fixer and Author of our faith, joy and Holy Spirit power.  You are the one and only One with the perfect power of humility.  Thank You  for Your grace and mercy that allows me to repent and be forgiven, not just once or twice, but again and again.

Help Thou my lack of humility.  Teach me to rely on You and be more humble of heart as Your son Jesus was when He trod this earth (Philippians 2:4 & 5 ESV).

This Lord's Day, as I, along with my brothers and sisters-in-Christ, gather together to remember Jesus in His death and resurrection, may we keep all this in mind.  As we reach for the broken bread and drink from the cup of wine, may our hearts bow in humble adoration and dependance upon Him.  Continue to deliver as from the evils and temptations of pride.  We know it is possible because He made it so.  We give You our grateful thanks.  Thank You in Jesus' name, Amen.

                                          ~  ERC  November 2026  ~

Based  on Proverbs 16:18 ESV and Philippians 2:4 & 5 ESV.

Sing, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (traditional) along with @hymnsofgrace).

Prayer - A Halo of Humility (1 Peter 5:6 and Philippians 2:4 ESV)

Lord, may we don humility like a cloak, or even a halo, surrounding us like an aura.  Allow humility to shine forth like a lighthouse beacon as we, Your children, shine for and serve You with our whole hearts, teaching us to put You first, the interests of others next, and ourselves first.

This is said to bring joy, but ...

We are so prone to looking after #1 - whom we believe is ourself.  But Lord, we know that when You came to earth as fully man, yet also fully God; You got the 'JOY' order correct.  You were the perfect humble servant of God.

May we humble ourselves, as You did, under the mighty hand of God and so bring joy into our hearts and lives.

May Your Holy Spirit convict us when we drift off the humble line.  May He remind us and guide us back into the attitude of humility You wore even though it cost You Your life.

We ask all this in Your precious name, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                              ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on 1 Peter 5:6 and Philippians 2:4 ESV.

Sing, Under His Mighty Hand (Humility Before...) along with Prairie Praises.  Also Show Me The Way, along with Gospel Songs.