SATURDAY January 4, 2020
Faith and True Works
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. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
James 2:18-19
After a busy Christmas season, it is good to return to the book of James where we spoke about faith and works. Understand, when you are truly saved by faith, you will show the evidence of true works in your life––they go hand in hand. How can anyone do true works if they have no real faith? It is important to understand that without faith, nobody can please God: …without faith it is impossible to please Him [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews11:6).
We cannot save ourselves! In fact, our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). God is our righteousness; He saves us. The Apostle Paul explains to us the whole doctrine of grace:
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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 (Ephesians 2:4-9).
The Apostle Paul and the Apostle James both agree to the same doctrine of justification by faith (Romans 4-8). James and Paul complement each other to make sure there is no confusion when it comes to faith, works and the grace of God.
The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.
~D. L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!