One of the things that Deists do not like to think about is an active God. They have a bit too much of the Theist in them: they do not want to be accountable to a living and active God that is involved in all that happens, and intervenes actively in the world. This is an error that most Christians know about. However, most do not see the other error. We are forgiven yes, but we worship a living and active God who reigns and intervenes in our lives and will weigh what we do.
Paul says that all we do will be tested by fire. That which is worthy will remain, and that which is dross will disappear. We should build with things that are fireproof, not with that which can burn. For we know that only three things will abide: faith, hope and love. All else will fail.
And we know that out God does reign.
The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.
Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
(Psalm 93 ESV)
WHen we are looking at these things, we need to remember both that what we does matters, and that it is not sufficient for salvation. We need to remember that God is sovereign, and encourages us to pray for that which we need, that we will have peace in our troubles. We need to recollect that there is no division or qualification for salvation: it is for all people. male and female, young and old, the simple and the wise.
And we must not compare our works with another’s, but to spur us to greater and better acts.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”
(Matthew 20:1-16 ESV)
A denarious, or a penny, was the standard wage for a day’s work: it would buy enough food for a family for a day. Most of the time, in most of the Roman world.
Classical historians often say that in the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire (~27BC) the daily wage for an unskilled laborer and common soldier was 1 denarius (with no tax deductions) or about US$20 in bread. During the republic, legionary pay was 112.5 denarii per year, later doubled by Julius Caesar to 225 denarii, with soldiers having to pay for their own food and arms. In contrast, centurions received considerably higher pay; under Augustus, the lowest ranking centurion was paid 3,750 denarii and the highest ranking, 15,000 denarii.
The silver content of the denarius under the Roman Empire (After Nero) was about 50 grains, 3.24 grams, or 1?10 (0.105ozt) troy ounce. In June 6, 2011, this corresponded to approximately US$3.62 in value if the silver were 0.999 pure.
The fineness of the silver content varied with political and economic circumstances. From a purity of greater than 90% silver in the first century A.D., the denarius fell to under 60% purity by the end of the second century A.D., and plummeted to 5% purity by the end of the third century A.D.[11] By the reign of Gallienus, the antoninianus was a copper coin with a thin silver wash
The master was paying a fair wage. Christ has paid more than a fair wage for our sins, for our transgressions: he has taken all the penalty upon himself: not merely dying, but dying in a way reserved, throughout history, for the most grievous crimes: for crucifixion is not merely torture, but used as a warning: betray us and you too will die in a week of pain.
There is much in this world we can celebrate. There is beauty, glory even, in nature, in the ingenuity of our fellow scientists, and in the sacrifice our those who have served Queen and country. Indeed, our Queen is an example of how to live: attending Remembrance Services despite plots against her.
But jealousy and comparisons? Do not go there. There is nothing but pain, anger, and envy there. Glory in the achievements of others. And let those examples drive you on.
