Faith and Works

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James 2:14-18 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus 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 without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 

 

It is natural for us to feel that we need to “earn or keep”. We live in a give and receive culture where sounds minds and able bodies work, putting a good day’s work for fair compensation. Communities work together, providing goods and services necessary for a healthy society to thrive. But, salvation unto eternal life requires “saving faith” in God and His merciful plan of redemption in His grace alone to provide a sinless Savior to pay the ultimate price for our sin. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us,  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” This explains to us that God has prepared good works for all Believers, but the works do not save you; The good works that God has for us here, we gratefully perform with all our strength possible, because of our love for the Lord.  

 

James 2:22 “Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? It’s not either/or, but and. We have been called to “good works” in order to help our fellow man in need and to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ on earth.” We like to think that we are doing a good job, and sure there are rewards in Heaven, especially in these current evil days, where God is being rebelled against. The world needs the Light of Trust, so part of our good works includes preaching the Gospel to anyone whoever may listen, in hopes of them finding salvation at the foot of the Cross. Redemption and forgiveness of sin is the goal. You don’t work to get saved but  faithfully work for the Lord because we are saved. It’s faith and works, working together.

James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

 

In Christ, Brian