Unprofitable Servants

Luke 17:10

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

One of the greatest "difficulties" in the Christian world is understanding the "by faith" or "by works" concepts. If salvation is "by faith" then why do we need to do good works? If our "good works" matter, then is it "by faith"?

The parable by Jesus, perfectly explains the apparent conumdrum (difficult situation).

The apostle Paul tells us that we are baptised into Christ and raised in newness of life as servants of righteousness (Rom 6:3,4,18). He further wrote in Eph 2:10 that "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (notice this is just after the famous Eph 2:8 which is part of the apparent "contradiction" with James 2:14-26!). 

Thus, as servants of righteousness, it is our duty to do works of righteousness! It is part of the job description! It is how we demonstrate our faith, as described in detail by James. And while a good job is expected, it did not earn us the position in the first place. THAT is given by the grace of God, through faith. However, we will lose our position if we are slothful and disobedient, as so clearly illustrated by Jesus in the parable of the talents (Mat 25:14-30).

God help us all to be "good and faithful servants", by being exemplary in our speech and conduct, by being diligent and zealous in works of righteousness, that we may one day "enter into the joy of the Lord"!