Faith and Action
James in his letter writes
“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.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
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?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:21-26.
Over the years I’ve heard many Christians quote Paul as saying,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
They then think “well now I’m saved I am going to heaven so I do not need to do anything else.”
Not so.
Christianity is very much a faith of deeds. Of showing God’s love to the world around us in word and deed.
Our faith should spur us on to do good deeds. To reach out with the love of Christ. To do what we can to help and reach others for Jesus.
James points out Rahab the prostitute (a sinner by any standard) who had faith in the one true God. Was “...considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction.”
The same principle is true today. Our faith in God is shown in our actions.
Please think about it.
James in his letter writes
“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.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
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?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:21-26.
Over the years I’ve heard many Christians quote Paul as saying,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
They then think “well now I’m saved I am going to heaven so I do not need to do anything else.”
Not so.
Christianity is very much a faith of deeds. Of showing God’s love to the world around us in word and deed.
Our faith should spur us on to do good deeds. To reach out with the love of Christ. To do what we can to help and reach others for Jesus.
James points out Rahab the prostitute (a sinner by any standard) who had faith in the one true God. Was “...considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction.”
The same principle is true today. Our faith in God is shown in our actions.
Please think about it.
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