Faith-Based Works

James 2:14-26  What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them,file000536039901 “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do 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. But someone will 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. 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? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (NKJV)

These, my brothers and sisters, are powerfully real verses.  They are a wake-up call to all Christians.  When I think about how much my Lord has done for me, I can’t help but want to serve Him in any way I can.  We cannot go to heaven because of our works.  That is a fact.  

John 13:34-35  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV)

Love one another!  How can we follow that commandment without works?  No, we cannot get into heaven by doing works.  Likewise, we cannot be truly faithful believers without producing fruit.  I submit to you that part of those fruits shall inevitably include works; Faith-based works!

To any of you that are parents, I ask – How much do you love your children?  How much does our Father in Heaven love us?  How grateful and joy-filled would you be if one of your children helped another receive salvation?  How much joy does it bring to you to witness your children’s love for one another?  How much more do these things please our Father?

We can never repay what our Lord has done for us, but we can bring Him joy and glory by loving each other.  This is our duty!  It has been commanded by the Lord!  There is no true expression of love without works.  People know that we love them because we show it; they know by the way we treat them and care for them.  God did not command us to judge.  He commanded us to love!  In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that you will enjoy the liberty of love.  Love is a very freeing emotion.  Do you know why?  Because God is love!

1 John 4:8  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

For further study, read 1 John 4