Memorise: But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that
he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. - Hebrews
11:6
Read: (James 2:14-17 KJV)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he
hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
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?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 , and Acts
26:1-23
MESSAGE:
It is necessary to first establish the fact that the statement
of James that “faith without works is dead”, applies to the
fellow who knows the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such
a person knows the facts about God in the mind, is
persuaded of the truth of the gospel and is in agreement
with Christian principles. In fact, such a person takes part
in Christian worship, is a church-goer and believes with all
sincerity that he or she is a true child of God. The only
issue is that such a person fails to commit to Jesus in a
way and manner that leads to changes in lifestyle. Such
people refuse to allow old things in their lives to pass away
– there is no crossing the line from darkness to light, there
is no spiritual development or growth and such a person
does not bear the fruits of righteousness. James 2:17
describes a person whose faith is dead because there are
no works to show for it. In Matthew 7:21 , Jesus was
referring to such people when He said.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
It is very clear therefore that there is a form of action that
must follow any profession of faith in Christ Jesus before
such faith can be called a living faith. When profession of
faith is not backed up with action, then such faith is dead.
Many are in the Church today living their lives the same
way as people who do not know Christ. The Bible in 2
Timothy 3:5a , described such people as
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof:”
Such people profess faith in the Son of God; they claim that
they believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ but they flatly
deny the transforming power in the Word of God. They
would do anything in the Name of God except allow any
genuine transformation to take place in their lives.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:2
Children of God, faith without works is dead, and dead faith
is of no use to anyone. Renew your faith today by backing
it up with active works of righteousness. Put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge and transformed into the
image of Christ (Colossians 3:10 )
Action Point: Faith without works is dead, follow up your
faith with works of righteousness.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional written by Pastor E.A.
Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian
Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the
world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's
Ministries.
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