MORNING DEW: 25-10-2018
TOPIC: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD
TEXT: JAMES 2:14-26
What good does it do, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save him, can it? Suppose a brother or sister does not have any clothes or daily food and one of you tells them, Go in peace! Stay warm and eat heartily. If you do not provide for their bodily needs, what good does it do? In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead. But someone may say, you have faith, and I have actions. Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions. You believe that there is one God. That’s fine! Even the demons believe that and tremble with fear. Do you want proof, you foolish person, that faith without actions is worthless? Our ancestor Abraham was justified by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar, wasn’t he? You see that his faith worked together with what he did, and by his actions his faith was made complete. And so the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. And so he was called God’s friend. You observe that a person is justified through actions and not through faith alone. Likewise, Rahab the prostitute was justified through actions when she welcomed the messengers and sent them away on a different road, wasn’t she? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without actions is also dead.
FAITH
Faith without works is dead.
FAITH in Greek means “pistis” which is persuasion that is credence; moral conviction (of religious truth or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher) especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession.
You may claim you have faith. But faith without works is a dead faith. If I say I love you I should be able to prove it. Words go with actions. After confessing your faith you now act as a believer. The truthfulness of God, who He is, His don’ts and dos.
Your lifestyle after confession is very important. You can’t tell me you know Jesus when your lifestyle is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. When Jesus confessed as the Son of the living God He was able to prove to the people that indeed He was the Son of God.
Abraham had faith in God during his days. God wanted him to do more than just words, so Abraham was ready to do anything to prove his faith – actions. You believe that there is God, yes, it is not enough, even demons acknowledge that (Verse 19). But the demons wouldn’t act by pleasing the Master, rather will do acts contrary to the Master’s commands.
“Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). If you sow into living a filthy life you will certainly reap into that. Are you sowing into drinking, fornication, adultery, idolatry, witchcraft, disobedience, robbery, etc., prepare for your harvest.
Don’t try to hide under God’s grace to sowing bad seeds. It is an error to do that. “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without actions is also dead” (verse 26).
Prayer: Henceforth, Lord, I will act according to my faith, help me Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ Name!
Amen!
Rev. John Wundengba
0209422159
