#BibleLesson Timeless Truths. Developing a Faith that Works – How to Have Real Faith - Part B
This is the third post in a ten-week Developing a Faith that Works Series. There are five lessons, each divided into two parts. URLs from previous weeks are listed as part of this opening statement.
URLs.
1/28/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/01/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys.html
2/04/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/01/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys_26.html
2/11/2021 – https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys.html
2/18/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys_5.html
2/25/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-developing.html
From last week:
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF FAITH.
“Do-nothing faith.”
· It’s intellectual, not practiced, and not positive.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. V19)
“Do-something faith.”
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
· This faith must be in the order of the highlighted phrases above. 1 – 2 - 3
THE RIGHT KIND OF FAITH, REAL FAITH, COMPELS YOU TO DO SOMETHING!
Your deepest beliefs find their way into your behavior.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. (V18)
· What you say is where your heart is.
· What you do is where your faith is.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
This is faith in action.
REAL FAITH leads to action!
End of Review
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14-26 (NIV)
THREE EXAMPLES OF “DO-SOMETHING” FAITH.
Faith without works is dead… A man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (Vv17, 24)
What kind of works?
- “Do-something!”
Compassionate Generosity
Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well-fed. (v16)
- You ignore the poor and worship God at the same time.
- You need to DO compassion.
But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him? (1 John 3:17 – Living Bible)
- This is more than in your heart.
- You need to go out to those in need.
- There are 500 verses on social justice in the New Testament.
Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. (1 John 3:17 – Living Bible)
- If you really care, you are going to do something.
Sacrificial Obedience
- Giving what is precious to you back to God.
- See James:2:21-22 above.
- Abraham knew human sacrifice was wrong and Isaac was fulfilling God’s promise.
“…for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” (Genesis 15:4b – NLT)
- This is how Abraham showed his belief that God is in control!
“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:12 – NLT)
Uncalculated Risk
- Sacrificing comfort or safety for the benefit of others.
See James:2:25 above.
- Rahab took a risk without any guarantee.
- She knew God was in control.
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (V26)
- Good works do not save you.
- They reveal your faith.
AND DO IT!
Next week we explore Taming the Tongue
Commit to making time each week to measure your Christian walk against the standard James presents.
Thanks to Pastor Larry Pitcher for the primary teachings in this post.
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