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Guided Bible Studies for Hungry ChristiansJames - The Pillar of Working Faithful Lesson 6The Faith of WorksFaith is what you believe and works is what you do as a result of that belief. It is through Faith in Jesus Christ that we receive salvation, and it is through our works that we receive reward. James constant theme throughout his epistle is that you can believe all things, but if you are not strong enough to act on your beliefs, you can not save yourself. It is the doing of the belief that makes the saving possible. Thinking about it is without benefit, if action is not taken on that belief. It is a matter of having faith to do the works, to be confident of being able to complete the belief through doing what has been placed on your heart to do. |
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“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14 AV)63. If a man has faith, but does not act on that faith, it cannot save him. This statement is not the usual debate of the doctrine of salvation by faith, works for reward. Faith is what you believe and works is what you do as a result of that belief. It is through Faith in Jesus Christ that we receive salvation, and it is through our works that we receive reward. “15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15-16 AV)64. If a brother or sister in Christ is naked and hungry, and you tell him to be at peace, warm and fully satisfied in hunger, it is going to be unprofitable. If the natural life needs are not met in our Christian brothers and sisters, then the beliefs of the spiritual realm will not benefit them at all. A cold, hungry, naked person who is given teachings in faith, is still cold, hungry, naked with no ability to understand. Clothe and feed that person with the works of your faith, and you will have a person ready to hear the Word of God, and become a worker in faith with you. “17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18 AV)65. Faith without works is dead. Faith without works cannot be seen. 66. Faith can be shown by your works. “19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20 AV)67. It is good that you know that there is only One LORD GOD, but that faithful knowledge does not make you uniquely righteous. Even the devils themselves know there is only one LORD GOD, and they tremble at his name. The difference between a man of faith, and the devils themselves, is the work that is accomplished as a result of faith. A Side Note: Worldly people often profess their goodness and greatness by saying “I believe in God”, as they stand offended by a Christian in their presence. This arrogant profession of belief is neither noble nor notable. The devils themselves know there is only one LORD GOD! The difference between a person of the world, and the wicked devils, is that the devils fear the LORD GOD and tremble at His Name. How much lesser is a worldly person with the profession of a hollow belief said without fear? “21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:21-24 AV)68. Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar. He did not just tell the LORD GOD that he had faith in Him, He acted on that faith in accordance with the LORD GOD’s Will. As a result, his faith was proven and made perfect. 69. Because Abraham believed the LORD GOD and acted in faith, he was made righteous and called the Friend of God. This work based on faith that was accomplished by Abraham is proof that through works a man is justified, and not by faith alone. “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” (James 2:25 AV)70. Rahab the harlot was also justified by her works when she had received the messengers and sent them out another way to save them. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26 AV)71. Just like the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without works is dead also. |
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MLA Style Citation: About the Author Kathy L. McFarland is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and Author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Studies student of Liberty University, Hebrew language student attending Israeli taught Ulpan and a Homeschool parent teaching the things of God. She is also well-known as a child advocate of innocent children tortured and suffering from the abuse of sexual perversion, out-of-control violence, and pathetic neglect by a carnal world gone mad. |
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