FAITH WORKS!
FAITH WORKS!
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. —James 2:14-26
Faith…
- Is not just saying one has faith (Hebrews 11:6)
- Must have works with it (Ephesians 1:10)
- Doesn’t say, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled” without helping
- Is a dead faith if works do not accompany it
- Is seen by works
- Is active with works
- Is completed by works
- And works justify
- Is dead if it does not have works
Faith is active. Faith and works go together. Faith fuels works. Works give evidence that faith is living and real. The illustration given is just “as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” The spirit gives life to the body. The body apart from the spirit is useless. Faith gives life in our walk with Jesus. Faith apart from works is useless. There is no real faith if it is not outwardly active serving. So, how are you serving? How is your faith in God impacting your life and the lives of others? Are we serving? Are we impacting the lives of others because of our faith in God? Oh, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. And may my service all be for Your Honor and glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb8WZ2ND4BY&list=RDYb8WZ2ND4BY&start_radio=1