FRIDAY November 29, 2019
True Faith Produces True Works
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.
James 2:14-17
Some people believe doctrines that teach we are saved by works, but without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When a person is really saved, faith and works come together as evidence that faith brings true works in your life.
The Apostle Paul and the Apostle James agree in their teachings with the same doctrine of justification by faith: 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 2:8-9). How can you really do true works without faith?
Whenever people would come to Jesus to be healed, what would He tell them? “Your faith has made you whole.” It is all through faith in Christ’s righteous, not their righteousness. The prophet Isaiah taught, our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). It is important that this doctrine is taught correctly, because it can condemn and destroy people if it is not taught right, biblically, according to the grace of God.
I like the way Paul, in his epistle to the Romans brings up the subject of faith, and James balances it out by talking about true works––they complement each other. This is so beautiful––grace, faith and works.
One's faith is not genuine unless it moves him or her to action. Faith and works are necessary companions.The faith produces the works, while the works demonstrate the genuineness of the faith.
~Chuck Smith~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!