Title: Living Faith is Proven By Our Actions
Text:
James 2:25-26 (ESV)
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Observation:
This topic has been on my mind since Sunday when our pastor spoke on this topic in our walk through the book of James.
Some people get confused when they read in James, "And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works". They wonder if this conflicts with what Paul wrote here.
Romans 3:28 (ESV)
28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Paul was speaking in Romans about the Mosaic Law. But, James was speaking of the Law of Liberty. When James speaks of works he is speaking of good deeds.
James 2:12 (ESV)
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
James 2:8 (ESV)
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
There is no daylight between what Paul said and what James said; they both agree that saving faith produces good works.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
What action will you take today to demonstrate that you have been set free by the Law of Liberty?
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Prayer:
Father God, I pray that the love of God that resides in the hearts of Your people though the Holy Spirit that You have given to us will flow from our lives in loving actions to others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Romans 5:5 (NLT)
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Action Point:
Love others with the love of the Lord. Be love.
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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