Faith and Works: Summary

Chuckle: TEACHER: "John, why are you doing your multiplications on the floor?" JOHN: "Because you told me to do them without using tables!"

Today's Quote: “Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. It is not enough that a thing be possible for it to be believed.” --Francois Voltaire

FAITH AND WORKS: SUMMARY

"Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did . . . 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?" (James 2:21-22, 25 NIV).

Genuine faith is (1) knowing with our minds, (2) believing with our hearts, (3) feeling with our emotions, (4) surrendering of our wills, and (5) evidenced by our deeds.

To summarize his teachings on faith and works, James gives two examples of genuine faith from the lives of Abraham and Rahab. These two were so very different: Abraham was a man, Rahab a woman -- A patriarch, a prostitute -- A major Old Testament character, minor character -- A Jew, gentile. They had one thing in common -- real life-changing faith. Abraham believed God and followed Him. He put his total faith in God, and God made him righteous. He understood that faith is taking God at His word and obeying him.

Rahab lived in Jericho, a pagan city, the first walled city the Israelites must defeat to claim the promised land. The Israelites sent in spies to get the lay of the land and evaluate the defenses. When they got there, they stayed in Rahab's house and they told her about God. She believed and then evidenced it by her works -- by hiding them, thus putting her own life at risk. Both Abraham and Rahab are listed in Hebrews 11 among the great heroes of faith.

Four basic truths about real faith: (1) based on God's word; (2) always centered on Christ alone - the object of our faith; (3) always involves the mind, emotions, and will; and (4) always results in good works (deeds). Jesus referred to these acts of kindness to others as "bearing fruit." "By their fruits you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:16 NIV).

For us to have the maximum impact on the world for our Lord, our words and actions must be consistent. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him" (Titus 1:16). Ephesians 2:8-10 puts faith and deeds in perspective: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not of works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21 NIV).

Finally, good deeds/works can never earn salvation. However, true faith always results in a changed life that produces good deeds. The true joy of being a Christian comes from the assurance that we have eternal life through faith in Christ, and from obedient service to our Lord and others through deeds of kindness and love.

Love, Jerry & Dotse