Faith works.
That statement can say two things: 1) when we walk by faith and not by sight, we find that our faith in God works within us; the other side to this statement is this: 2) if we have faith in God, then we will work hard to advance His Kingdom on this earth in whatever capacity He asks of us, as faith works through us.
In James 2:14-26, James, Jesus’ brother, who writes one of the earliest and most practical books in the New Testament, talks about how Faith Works:
“What good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?”
Then, he gives an example of seeing the poor and wishing them well but not helping them. “What good is that?”
“Faith by itself, if not accompanied by works is dead.”
“I will show you my faith by what I do.”
Then, there is an example of Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac: “You see, his faith and his actions worked together, and his faith was made complete by what he did… and he was called God’s friend.”
“A person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.”
FAITH WORKS!!!
This is not the faith that saves us. This is the faith that after we are saved, we live differently. We now look to help others and show them our faith by what we do.
It’s not the faith that says, “If I do this for God, He will bless me.” It’s a faith that says, “I know I am God’s friend, and so when His Spirit prompts me to do something, I will absolutely say YES!!”
Faith is taking risks with God. It’s spawned out of a close relationship with Him. His Spirit moves in you to help the hurting, encourage the struggling, provide for the needy, and give to the hungry.
Faith is taking risks with God.
Lately, people are learning the risky faith to ask God for an encouraging word for another and then risking it, by going and sharing what the Lord said. But according to James, it would appear that a prophetic word pales in comparison to physically helping another. Semaj.
Faith without works is dead.
So where is Jesus in this Scripture? It’s a great question to ask whether in the Old Testament or the New, because He is in EVERY part of it.
Jesus believed God when He sent Him to the cross. He believed God when He said that He would die but would be raised in three days. But His faith without the work of the cross wouldn’t have saved mankind. Jesus showed His faith by His works when He defeated death, hell and the grave to save us from our sin.
Had Jesus believed God but not gone to the cross, it would have been faith but no works and it would not have meant much. But because of what He did by offering Himself on the cross for us, “His faith was made complete by what He did” (vrs. 22)
The whole story of Abraham is the gospel. Abraham represents God. Isaac represents mankind who must die for their sins. The ram in the bush was the provisional substitute, Jesus, who was sacrificed on our behalf.
Jesus could easily say, “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you MY faith BY My works.”
Works: the outward evidence of a saved life.
On one of the CSI television shows, they used to say “follow the evidence; the evidence doesn’t lie.”
Where you see the evidence of faith, you will find REAL faith.
Where you see the evidence of faith, you will find REAL faith.
Yes, faith works in you.
But, faith also must work THROUGH you.
Be encouraged,
Jena
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