No Works, No FAITH

Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from the book of James.

James 2:17-26  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?.Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

The Apostle James is teaching in this passage that a man is justified by works, not by faith alone. Christianity is more than just claiming to believe in Jesus with your mouth, it is having the actions that back it up and prove that statement. Works towards the name of Jesus Christ are the outward evidence of an inward change of one’s heart. Let me be very clear, when you finally realize what a wretch you are, and weep and mourn about the wicked things that you have done, your response will be a complete 180 from doing evil works, to bring forth good works.

Consider the life of the Apostle Paul, who at one time was very busy doing evil works, by trying to prevent the Christian faith from spreading. But when he was converted to Christianity, he became heavily involved with good works, by spreading the faith that he once tried to destroy. 

Acts 26:19-20 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

For example, someone might have been involved with the evil works of theft, but now, as a converted christian, they are involved with the good works of giving to the needy. 

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

It is our works that define what we really are. I think you’d have to agree that when somebody spends 25 years of their life pulling a wrench in an auto shop, their works prove that they are a mechanic. Likewise, When you spend 30 years of your life, serving the Lord Jesus and walking obediently in His will, your works of faithfulness are what prove that you are a Christian in your heart. Although each of us are sinners who have come short of the glory of God, God’s grace found in the blood of Christ Jesus gives us the opportunity to renounce evil works, and to be filled with good ones! Confessing Jesus with your mouth is only one part of salvation. Baptism is only one part of salvation. Holy Communion is only one part of salvation. Bringing forth works that are meet for repentance are the outward evidence to God and others, that you truly believe in Him with your heart. If those works never manifest themselves in one’s life, then you are no different than the religious leaders of old. All it is is claiming that you believe something, but don’t have the actions to back it up. John the Baptist warned the religious people of the day that they needed to produce good fruit, otherwise they would be cast into the fire on judgment Day. 

Matthew 3:1-12 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

So are doing good works a part of our own salvation? You had better believe it! Just as you did works of wickedness in your past, those who are filled with faith and repent of their sins will bring forth good works of righteousness. To claim to believe in Jesus, and be involved with the works of darkness is not only hypocrisy, it is complete vanity. 

2 Corinthians 6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

Remember that everybody is going to be judged according to their works. If your works are evil, wicked and disobedient, then you are going to reap the consequences for those activities, whether you claim to be Christian or not. But if you repent, and bring forth the good works of obedience, faithfulness, and humble submission to the will of God, then you will be rewarded accordingly. Good works are an opportunity to prove to God that we sincerely love Him from our hearts. Good works are an opportunity to show the world what true repentance is all about. Good works are an opportunity to produce good fruit rather than the works of darkness. 

Anyone who claims to have faith in Jesus Christ must transform from a sinner into a Saint, so when some vain person claims that you are trying to work your way to heaven, you can simply tell them this,…..

……..No Works, No FAITH

Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.

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