James 2:18-26 18 But a man may say, You have faith,
and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show
you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils
believe also, and tremble.
20 Do you want to be shown, O foolish man, that faith
without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he
offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 You see that faith was active with his works, and
by works was faith made perfect;
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham
believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness: and he was called
the Friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by
faith only.
25 And in the same way was not Rahab the prostitute justified
by works, when she received the messengers,
and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead. (RKJNT)
Somehow many seem to be confused about how faith and works
work together, they are a pair—twins you might say. They are not identical
twins:
- pistis (pis’-tis) faith-reliance upon Christ for salvation {each use in verses 18-26; eight total}
- ergon (er’-gon) work-an act, deed, thing done {each use in verses 18-26; ten total}
An excerpt from Barnes’ Notes on James 2:26 There is as much
necessity that faith and works should be united to constitute true religion, as
there is that the body and soul should be united to constitute a living man. If
good works do not follow, it is clear that there is no true and proper faith;
none that justifies and saves.
James 2:14-17 What does it profit, my brethren,if a man say he has faith, but has not works? can that faith save him? 15 If a
brother or sister is without clothing, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one
of you says to him, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; yet you do not give
him the things which are necessary for the body; of what benefit is that? 17
Even so faith, if it does not have works, is dead, being alone (RKJNT).
Faith Works
Faith must be put into action; often we are tested to show
our faith. In 2013 our apartment building caught fire, I recall speaking faith
while watching the flames creep along the roof getting closer and closer to our
bedroom. This was the third time in my lifetime that one of my places of
residence caught fire. Each time God protected my belongings and I knew He would do it again. “He will not let
anything happen to our things” I said to
my wife and thank God there was only smoke damage our insurance covered the
cost. (I posted the pictures on Google + and Facebook). Oh we serve a wonderful
God!
Titus 1:15-16 (BBE) To the clean in heart all things are
clean: but to those who are unclean and without faith nothing is clean; they
become unclean in mind and in thought. 16 They say that they have knowledge of
God, while by their acts they are turning
their backs on him; they are hated by all, hard-hearted, and judged to be
without value for any good work.
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