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Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him. Now you see how Abraham’s faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did.
This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, “Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him.” That’s how Abraham became God’s friend. You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe.
For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.
Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!
James 2:21-26
Even today some Christians love to argue about faith and works. When someone puts great emphasis on "works" there is a loud cry supported by Galatians 2:16 that we are saved by faith not by works. And when "faith only" is the cry these verses in James 2 are dusted off to prove that more is required.
A simple understanding of the answer to this dilemma is this: Faith produces works and those works are required to prove that the faith from which they come is real and alive. Works that do not spring from faith are of no benefit eternally.
It is like swimming in one of those exercise pools where the water is continually flowing. You may put out enough effort to have covered miles and miles in the open sea, but in the exercise pool you go no where! Doing the good works that often come from faith are of no value spiritually. Having faith without doing the good works that come from that faith means that it is dead!
When Peter walked on water did it take faith or works? Of course it took both. Without faith Peter would never have stepped out of the boat and without getting out of the boat Peter would never have walked on water.
So if you want to know how your own faith is doing, look at your life and see what you have done because of your faith.
Remember if faith without works is dead, then faith with works is alive!
This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, “Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him.” That’s how Abraham became God’s friend. You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe.
For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.
Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!
James 2:21-26
Even today some Christians love to argue about faith and works. When someone puts great emphasis on "works" there is a loud cry supported by Galatians 2:16 that we are saved by faith not by works. And when "faith only" is the cry these verses in James 2 are dusted off to prove that more is required.
A simple understanding of the answer to this dilemma is this: Faith produces works and those works are required to prove that the faith from which they come is real and alive. Works that do not spring from faith are of no benefit eternally.
It is like swimming in one of those exercise pools where the water is continually flowing. You may put out enough effort to have covered miles and miles in the open sea, but in the exercise pool you go no where! Doing the good works that often come from faith are of no value spiritually. Having faith without doing the good works that come from that faith means that it is dead!
When Peter walked on water did it take faith or works? Of course it took both. Without faith Peter would never have stepped out of the boat and without getting out of the boat Peter would never have walked on water.
So if you want to know how your own faith is doing, look at your life and see what you have done because of your faith.
Remember if faith without works is dead, then faith with works is alive!
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