James 2: 15-20: " 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 did 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. ........You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe- and tremble!But do you want to know , O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"
This passage of scripture spoke to me this morning. I have read this many times over, but I could not help but question- Can faith alone save a soul? After all, in our churches, we tell people if they would only believe in the one true God, repent and turn away from their sins, that they will inherit eternal life. Then, we sort of stop there. But James' account of faith and works puts a different spin on things......
James here, is taking a stand against freeloaders;those who say that they have no NEED for good works, since they have faith. Yes, I believe faith in Jesus Christ alone saves my soul from eternally being apart from Him. However, I also believe, that good works will be an EFFECT of my salvation. You simply cannot have one without the other. They co-exist.
"Faith brings a person to salvation, and works bring that person to faithfullness." (NKJ, pg. 2107)
Just the other night, Daniel Roberts asked us a very deep question that was answered by the loud silence in the room: Do you want to be someone who dies in your religion, or someone who dies in your devotion to Christ?
nice post...we tend to leave that scripture out when it comes to salvation and assurance. Our works are not only the effect, but they are also the proof that a soul has been regenerated. Why are so many evangelicals afraid to preach this? Are we afraid that we may force a person to evaluate themselves...are we scared they will become offended when they see that there life is not showing the fruit of the good tree? Or are we scared that they will realize that they are actually lost and in need of the Savior? Many of us should spend less time worrying about offending people and more time worrying about offending God....
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